A future floating in the sea near Kouri Island? - Controversy over JTB Okinawa's artificial floating island project

In November 2023, JTB Okinawa revealed its plan to set up a huge artificial floating island in the sea near Kouri Island in Nakijin Village, Okinawa Prefecture, in the summer of 2026 and open a marine leisure facility. After the idea became public, the specifics began to come to light, causing controversy locally.

　Kouri Island is known for its natural beaches, a power spot called Heart Rock, and the Kouri Bridge, which connects the main island to the islands. The area around this island is home to about 380 species of reef-building corals.

JTB Okinawa is planning an artificial floating island, also known as a "pontoon". The floating island is located 1.7 km east of Kouri Island and will be 50 meters long and 20 meters wide. The aim is to build a new marine sports facility, and production is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2025.

Since the project was unveiled in November last year, local residents and tourism operators have voiced concerns about marine pollution, impact on coral reefs, damage from typhoons and tsunamis, and landscape destruction. On the other hand, there are also hopes for economic synergies with the theme park that will open in northern Okinawa in 2025.

On January 20 of this year, a change.org petition campaign was launched by local residents to oppose JTB Okinawa's plan to establish floating islands. More than 10,000 signatures is collecting.
In the past, a similar project planned by JTB Okinawa near Ishigaki Island was canceled due to technical difficulties. In that case, oppose the plan Approximately 48,000 signatures was submitted to JTB Okinawa.