日本語で




Don't say, "yes" or "no" to the new dam until you study the issues..

To learn more, read on........








What do you know about the Daiju no Seki Dam on the Yoshino River in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan?

Where is the dam？ When was it built? Why was it built? What kind of dam is it？

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Do you know a new, large-scale dam is scheduled to be built?

It's not a reconstruction of the old dam, but it's a totally new, much larger structure. It is virtually a replica of a highly controversal dam built on Nagara River near Nagano city Japan. Construction and upkeep costs "Armchair therory" is the word for this planning.

Where is the dam？

It's 14 kilometers upstream from the river's mouth, between Aihata, Ishii-town, Myouzai-gun (former name:Daiju village) and Kamiita town, Itano-gun, Tokushima prefecture, where seawater meets fresh water.

When was it built?

Nearly 250 years ago

Why was it built？

OIn former times, the Old Yoshino River was the main stream and the present Yoshino River went by the name Betsumiya River. To reduce flooding, the people widened the width of the river. This caused the bulk of the water to flow into the Betsumiya River. To keep the water flowing in the main channel, they built the Daiju Dam.

What kind of dam is it？

It's a beautiful dam with a facing of blue stones in double steps all the way from the bottom of the river to the top of the structure. The simple double-step design is the result of the wisdon of people who lived with and understood nature. It's both functional and beautiful.
In the Showa Era (1924 - 1989) the dam was reinforced with concrete but it keeps it's original form. The design allows water to flow smoothly over the structure whether the river is high or low. This natural design allows wildlife to flourish in and on the river.
The dam is popular with people, too. Fishermen, strollers, children playing -- the dam attracts many kinds of people in all seasons. It's a popular landmark for those who live along the river.

The new dam isn't a simple reconstruction, it's a totally new, much larger dam.

The Ministry of Construction plans to build the new dam 13 kilometers upstream from the rivermouth. Gates will be built of iron and concrete.

It is virtually a replica of a highly controversal dam built on Nagara River near Nagano city Japan.

Can you imagine the Yoshino River covered in concrete and the rushing waters held back by massive iron gates, just like on the Nagara River?

Construction costs will run over 100 BILLION yen (about 700 million US dollars) and upkeep will cost millions more yen for each year of the dam's long life.

It's hard to imagine that much money for you. The constraction of the dam will run over 100 billion yen. And maintenance fee will be over 690 million yen every year.

This planning was made on ly on the desk. They haven't done enough reserch for Yoshinogawa River.

The government says the dam is for "river improvement" and flood control. But the floods they want to control only happen about once every 150 years. Even so, they say they will need to build four more huge dams further upstream to fully control flooding on the river.