Denny in the News

Transplanting coral during the summer being contrary to the conditions of his permission, Governor Denny Tamaki asks the National Government to give administrative guidance. Regarding the work of transplanting coral that the Okinawa Defense Bureau has already begun in the sea for the construction of the new base at Hennoko in Nago, Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki elaborated his thinking that he would give administrative guidance to the Defense Bureau based on a local site survey that same day. He pointed out the realization that transplanting in the summer when the sea temperature is high is of itself contrary to the conditions. Since experts have pointed out that summer transplanting would cause a drop in the coral’s survival rate, the governor elaborated, “It’s quite legitimate to request that administrative guidance be given and that the transplanting work be halted immediately.” The Prefecture sent prefectural employees to the site in the afternoon of 30 July. They checked the work e...

  Governor Denny Tamaki on his conditional statement of acceptance of the transplantation of coral from Hennoko.  On 28 July, regarding the National Government’s application to the Prefecture on the transplanting of coral along with the relocation of the US Futenma Military Airfield to Hennoko in Nago, Okinawa Prefectural Governor Denny Tamaki made clear his plan to conditionally accept taking measures and so on for the survival of the coral. As for the relocation of the coral, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water will issue a corrective order to give permission. The Prefecture sued the order as illegal, but on 6 July the case was determined to be lost.  So, it’s a matter of obeying a judicial judgement. From now, the permission will be granted to transplant about 40,000 colonies of coral outside the soft ground around Oura Bay. The Okinawa Defense Ministry requested permission to transplant 35,000 colonies in the soft ground as well, but the Prefecture refuse...

The Delta strain, a 56% positive infection rate, the possibility of an unprecedented spread of Covid-19 in the prefecture. 　On 28 July, the Prefecture announced that 95 people were newly confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19, including suspected cases of the Delta strain. Out of 169 tests, the positive rate for Delta was 56.2%.That is an increase of 20 points over last week’s rate of 33% and Delta is rapidly advancing to  replace the original Covid-19 .    　By region, the central district had 59 cases, the southern district 21, the northern district 1, and Miyako 2. Additionally, in screening at Naha Airport 7 people, in PCR  screening at restaurants 2, and at PCR screening for those who requested it 3 cases were confirmed. No screening has been carried out at Yaeyama. In the prefecture, cumulatively, 220 victims of the Delta strain have been confirmed including suspected cases. On its website on 28 July, the Prefecture announced that it was newly issuing a...

Governor Denny Tamaki promotes investigation of measures for construction workers at high risk of contagion and  promotion of vaccination. At a press conference on 26 July at the Prefectural Office, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki clearly laid out his thoughts on proceeding with an investigation of prevention measures against the widespread contagion targeting construction workers who are at high risk of contagion from Covid-19. Cooperating with the construction companies concerned, moreover taking into account the actual situation, the governor is investigating how to proceed with vaccinations for construction personnel as essential workers. The governor said, “It’s obvious at a glance. The pattern of widespread contagion in Okinawa is the same as after the 5 consecutive day holiday in May.” So, he has ordered specialized contagion countermeasures variously where contagion is especially high: 1. the restaurant business, 2. the construction industry, 3. children and studen...

Governor Tamaki wants conservation measures to reinforce World Heritage Sites in Okinawa and Amami so that “they will still be here a thousand year from now!” Governor Tamaki and others held a viewing party at the Prefectural Office on 26 July to see the very moment when  Okinawa and Amami were officially registered as World Natural Heritage Sites and took in the results.  Appearing overjoyed and applauding, Governor Tamaki said, “That’s it. It’s done!”, as the monitor connected to YouTube showed that the registration had been decided. He emphasized that after the registration as a natural heritage, because he is requesting the preservation of endemic species and tourism management, “This valuable natural heritage will remain for a hundred, no a thousand years.” He added that he was going to consider reinforcing environmental conservation.   Besides the three villages of Kunigami and Taketomi District, the viewing party connected the Environmental Ministry, Kagoshima...

  With Miyako Island under a storm warning for 79 hours, Typhoon 6 does 46.5 million yen in agricultural damage to Okinawa Island and Daito Island. As of 21:00 on 24 July, the huge and strong Typhoon 6 was heading north-northwest in the East Sea at 15 km/h. On the same day, strong winds blew wildly around Miyako Island until late in the afternoon and around Kume Island until nightfall. Storm warnings were in effect around Miyako Island for more than 79 hours from early morning on 21 July until late afternoon on 24 July.   According to the Weather Bureau, at 8:45 in the morning on 24 July, the  wind force was observed to peak at 36.5 meters at Kume Island Airport. Typhoon will maintain its current strength as it heads north over the East China Sea. Strong winds are expected to continue around Okinawa Island until before noon on 25 July. At the prefecture’s Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters meeting ( Governor Denny Tamaki, Headquarters Director) on 24 July, it was annou...

Typhoon 6: estimated damage to sugar cane and so on 46.5 million  yen, 6 people lightly injured across the prefecture, speed limited on Okinawa Expressway  Given that the influence of Typhoon 6 is continuing everywhere in Okinawa Prefecture, the Prefecture opened its second damage countermeasures meeting at the Prefectural Office on the afternoon of 24 July. Every department reported on the damage situation. According to the Prefectural Water and Forest Ministry, the total value of damage to tillage so far is 46.5 million yen, including sugar cane and vegetables on Okinawa Island itself and Daito Island. Because the survey is in mid-process, the value of damage is anticipated to increase greatly from now. In the value of 46.5 million yen in damage to tillage, sugar cane makes up nearly 45 million and vegetables 1.5 million. According to the Prefectural Crisis Management Division, as of 11 A.M on 24 July, a total of 6 people over 60 suffered mild injuries from things like being...

PR for Covid 19 Prevention Measures before the 4-Day Holiday: Fliers Handed Out at the Prefectural Office and around Naha. In advance of the 4 consecutive holidays starting on 22 July, patrolling around Kokusai Street and every station of the Okinawa Municipal Monorail on 21 July , Okinawa prefectural and Naha city workers promoted measures to prevent the spread of the Covid 19 virus. Even Governor Denny Tamaki and Mayor Mikiko Shiroma were distributing flyers in front of Kumoji Palette Department Store. The Prefecture was asking its citizens and tourists not to eat out after 8 in the evening, not to request alcohol or karaoke at shops, and not to drink alcohol in the streets. Moreover, between 22 and 24 July, Prefectural executives including each department manager will carry out night patrols in Naha’s Matsuyama and Kokusai Street, as well as in Chatan’s Miyama area. In advance of the 21 July patrol, Governor Tamaki stressed, “Yet unrecovered from the current contagion, we must confr...

  With Okinawa’s newly infected 2.4 times higher, Governor Tamaki:“I can only say that the fifth wave is upon us!” Okinawa Prefecture, where the State of Emergency Declaration against Covid 19 has been promulgated, confirmed on 20 July that 154 people had been newly infected. That is 2.4 times as many as the same day last week. The last time with over 100 infections confirmed was 16 June. Centered in the younger generation, the contagion is again becoming widespread. In a special press conference, Governor Denny Tamaki commented, “I can only say that the fifth wave is upon us!” He once again called on people dining out together or entering the Prefecture to use prudence. According to the  Prefecture, at one point in the fourth wave, the number of newly infected people surpassed 300. Since the last half of June, there were days with infections in the twenties, but shifted toward an increase since 13 July, when for 8 consecutive days, the toll surpassed that of the same day the ...

  Governor Tamaki makes the call, “Before your flight to Okinawa, definitely get screened.”  Antigen screening at Naha Airport as well. At a press conference on 21 July, just before the 4-day consecutive holidays, Governor Denny Tamaki called on people entering or leaving Okinawa to get screened before their flights.   Starting from 22 July, there will be antigen screening targeting those who wish it at Naha Airport. People from the prefecture planning to travel outside the prefecture also can use the service, with results confirmed within 30 minutes. Naha Airport can handle up to one thousand screenings per day including the PCR. As for measures at departure points, the National Government is offering free antigen and PCR screening targeting those who wish it from 20 JUly to 31 August for those boarding for Okinawa or Hokkaido from major airports like Haneda, Narita, Itami, Kansai, and Fukuoka. Boarders are promised that if they cannot board because they test positive an...

  Daily Denny 21 July 2021 From the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics Prep Party at the Prefectural Office to the  prefectural team of 12 athletes, “ Chibari-yo ! (Go For it)” The Prefecture and Prefectural Sports Committee held a prep party on 20 July to wish success to the 12 athletes from the prefecture going to compete in the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. Delegates from each sports club in the prefecture that produced the athletes participated and looked forward to the encouragement of the prefecture’s people in their quest to win medals. Governor Denny Tamaki shouted out, “We expect your great success, ‘ Chibatikumiso-ri !’ (Go for it, we beg you! ).” 　 In the Tokyo Olympics, 10 athletes from the prefecture will compete and,  in the Paralympics, 2. This was the first Olympics prep party to be held. Because of preparations for the great event, the athletes could not attend. However, delegates from each of their sports clubs introduced the athletes’ path to success. The...

  Daily Denny 20 July 2021 https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/afe186b1e5bd19db31e9f7a94f59d7851f8c8e53 Ryukyu Shimpo: Published Wednesday 20 July 2021, 06:44 Okinawa prefecture will fine bars and restaurants that refuse to close during the State of Emergency. 　Governor Denny Tamaki at a press conference on 19 July made clear that  he plans to implement procedures to notify regional courts in order to impose fines on bars and restaurants in the prefecture that do not respond to the order to shut down or shorten business hours.  Carrying out notification from the governor to the courts is generally done after an order’s duration has ended. This notification during the State of Emergency Declaration  is said to be the first in the nation. The State of Emergency Declaration has been extended until 22 August. However, the governor judged that preventing widespread contagion would be difficult if he waited for the period to end.  Governor Tamaki said, “Cases of positiv...