He told reporters last week, ''I don't want to let the outcome of the plebiscite determine the future of the project . . . In Japan's first local referendum in August 1996, residents of Achanti-Niigata prefecture rejected the construction of a nuclear plant in their area. Activists have said that the planned dam in Tokushima is simply too expensive. They also say that it is environmentally destructive and will only pollute the Yoshino River. The picturesque town of Tokushima actually has an existing dam, which despite being 250 years old has managed to prevent flooding up to present times.
Activists argue that the old stone dam can be repaired if there are any problems with it.
They say this will cost just a quarter of what would be spent on the new project, as well as preserve the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Ogawa, who teaches public policy, notes that public debt is rising in Japan. People are aware that the government will have to raise taxes to keep paying for these projects, a situation they do not want,'' says the professor. Instead, he says, people want their tax money to pay for better social development programs such as an improved pension system and educational reforms. But Himeno admits that the dam oppositionists were not sure at first whether they should take up the government's challenge to hold the referendum.