Local News

During a speech at the Kumamoto Prefecture Council, Governor Ikuo Kabashima announced his opposition to the controversial Kawabe River dam project. The governor also said the national government, which is building the dam, should withdraw its current plan and put together a riparian improvement plan without a dam. While the governor has no legal authority over the dam, local officials are routinely consulted about such projects, and the governor’s objection may force a reexamination.