Campaigns Against Dams in Japan and the Nagara River Estuary Dam

Abstract

This article reports on the tenacious citizen protest against the construction of the Nagara River Estuary Dam, which was planned by the Japanese government, and also on how the campaign has expanded into a symbol of a nationwide environmental movement to give sufficient stimulus to enliven new campaigns against dam construction projects all over Japan. The author points out that, most problematically, once the public works projects have started, there is no system to alter or stop them, even if the situation has changed. This awareness led the citizens to set up a nongovernmental organization to review public works. The campaign is still active and in progress.