Denny in the News

During the final day of general questioning on 29 September at the September ordinary session of the Prefectural Assembly, Governor Denny Tamaki said of the joint guarantor system for prefectural housing, “Hereafter, we’ll be getting around to concrete consideration in the direction of its abolition.” Up until now, if someone who hoped to move into housing could not find a joint guarantor, they would end up hiring an identity underwriter. Governor Tamaki stressed emphatically, “That we create an environment where people in need of housing can move in without anxiety, meaning to be allowed to live securely, is especially important.” In response to Nobuko Tamaki of the Communist Party, the governor made clear that in regard to use of the site of Ryukyu University Medical School and its affiliated hospital (in Nishihara District) which are projected to relocate to vacant land where Ginowan’s Futenma housing estate used to be, Takeshu Ikeda, his general manager, is formulating a “Vision fo...

  At a press conference on 28 September at the Prefectural Office, offering criteria for lifting the prefecture’s own measures to combat the spread of Covid-19, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki said it would be when the total number of new positive cases of Covid-19 in 7 days hits 25 victims per 10 thousand people. (For Okinawa prefecture) that works out to 53 new positive cases per day. In addition, he explained that if the number of patients being hospitalized drops to 10 per 10 thousand, a quicker lifting of measures can be expected.  According to the Prefecture’s new strategy to prevent the spread. The request is that, for dining within 2 hours, the group be no more than 4, such as families living together. The Prefecture currently recognizes 5038 stores as of 27 September as certified in pursuing its strategy against the spread of the virus. As part of its own measures, shops are awarded 25 thousand yen for cooperating with shortened business hours. Establishments...

The city of Ishigaki petitioned the national government to go ashore in order to set up a monument, after receiving a name change for the Senkaku Island Chain. (Trans. note: It became part of Tonoshiro in Ishigaki.) On 27 September, an Ishigaki city district candidate for election, Prefectural Assembly member Ichiro Ohama (LDP), requested during the Prefectural Assembly general question time, "The Prefecture  ought to get in step with the city to ask the national government for a landing.” The Prefecture however offered no response. Since Governor Denny Tamaki did not rise to respond, Masaru Kinjo, the governor’s office director, paused to state, “As for the Senkaku problem, we would strongly like to request that by following  the path of peaceful diplomatic dialog a solution can be devised.”   Assembly member Ohama stated, “The governor and the city together ought to go ashore to set up a monument and inspect the Senkaku Island Chain. According to Ohama, Chinese med...

Okinawa Governor Tamaki announced that, even when the “State of Emergency Declaration” reaches its limit at the end of the month and gets lifted, or if there is no move to other heavy extended prevention measures, he will set in motion the Prefecture’s own measures.   Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki stated, “As for relief from the contagion prevention measures, it’s not a matter of a sudden lifting, but my thinking is that it has to be done in stages.” Governor Tamaki further announced that he would put in place the prefecture’s own measures, if the national contagion situation should continue to worsen or if the case occurs where the “State of Emergency Declaration” gets lifted but there is no move toward other heavy extended prevention measures.  As for bars and restaurants, he is considering allowing the sale of alcohol with conditions attached such as shortened business hours. However, the plan will not be formally finalized until he receives the National Government’s d...

  During interpolations at the 24 September session of the regular September Okinawa Prefectural Assembly, Okinawa LDP Assembly Member Seigi Matayoshi, in reference to the number of Covid-19 infections and deaths being more this year than last, offered his own opinion, totally unfounded in basic science, “Isn’t it because the efficacy of vaccination isn’t apparent?” He emphatically claimed, “The Covid Peril is a fabricated fear,” adding that in order to get rid of the virus, it’s necessary to heighten immunity by eating fermented food and encouraging active tongue washing at educational institutions.  Assembly Member Matayoshi next asked Governor Denny Tamaki, “How high would the rate of immunity rise if people danced the kacha-shi-?” He then theorized on the importance of stress release in strengthening immunity. As a follow-up, he questioned Health and Medical Department Director Reiko Oshiro. He asserted, “Director, you being a housewife, makes me think you know more than m...

From 24 September, general questioning began at the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly. Among the topics the opposition party members questioned were the Tamaki prefectural response to the expected reduction in the government’s budget next year for Okinawa Promotion and Covid-19 strategy.  First to rise with a question was LDP Assembly member Shimabukuro. He pursued Governor Tamaki’s response on the reason, in the case of next year’s Okinawa Promotion budget, why the National Government budget request was cut to 300 billion yen, a level not seen since the budget of 2011. LDP Assembly Member Dai Shimabukuro argued, “Okinawa prefectural authorities could not explain to the Cabinet the need for 360 billion yen. To put it simply, Governor, you, as the leader of your prefectural government, failed in negotiations with the Cabinet!” In response, Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki countered that the Prefecture engaged in discussion after discussion based on the hoped for 360 billion.” He continued, ...

  During representative interpellations at the Prefectural Assembly on 21 September, looking forward to 3 years into his term on 4 October, Governor Denny Tamaki clarified that although he had worked on all 291 election promises, so far he has only gotten 5 done. That is a success rate of about 1.7%. He explained that stuff wasn’t finished, but some pledges, like the opposition to the new base construction at Henoko are advancing with aggressive determination, 6 have been launched at the request level, and 280 are under examination or  consideration.  To a question from Sueko Yamauchi of the Ti-da Peace Net Party,  he responded: “My fulfilled pledges are: the extension of the second runway at Naha Airport  ahead of schedule,  opposition to the casino attraction, the enrichment of pre-school education, the quick realization of getting Northern Okinawa and Iriomote Island recorded as Natural World Heritage sites, and the establishment of Ryukyu Historical Cul...

Concerning a prefectural ordinance to protect major produce and high quality seeds as unique to Okinawa, Governor Denny Tamaki made his thinking clear in answers to representatives’ questions at the regular session of the Prefectural Assembly on 22 September that his target is to have the ordinance enacted within this year. The governor responded to a question from Tomoko Kiyuna of the Rikken Okinawa Party: Until now, under the guidelines of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, the Prefecture protected seeds of major items such as sugar cane and other sweet products. However, by enacting an ordinance, which clarifies the obligation, not only can supplies of high quality seeds be stabilized, but we can further expect development of new brands of seed stock. Our plan with this ordinance is to build up Okinawa’s unique product lines of traditional island vegetables and Asian tropical fruits. Just now we’re deliberating a draft of the ordinance and we’re targeting mid-Octo...

  On 21 September, the representative interpellations of the regular September session of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly began. Ieharu Nakamura  and Yoshitoyo Arakaki of the Okinawan LDP, and Sueko Yamauchi and Kenichiro Tamaki of the Ti-da Peace Net rose for questions. Governor Denny Tamaki strongly requested the continued operation of the Okinawa Promotion and Development Finance Corporation (ODFC) from 2022 onward stating, “With the strong wish of the economic community, it has the consensus  of Okinawa Prefecture. I’m  strongly requesting the continuation of the Finance Corporation from the National Government in cooperation with each sector.” The governor explained that, in response to the economic downturn caused by widespread Covid-19 infections, the ODFC had advanced around 310 billion yen in loans on about 15,000 cases. He pleaded, “It’s significance is clearly acknowledged as demonstrated in its function as one of our prefectural safety nets.”  In an...

  Hirokazu Ueyonabaru (50, an athlete sponsored by the SMBC Nikko Securities Club) earned a bronze medal in the T52 (long distance) class 400 and 1500 meter track and field events at the Tokyo Paralympics in Tokyo. He and Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki chatted online on 16 September. Mr. Ueyonabaru stated, “Whether handicapped or not, if you keep your eyes on a goal without giving up, your dreams will be fulfilled.” After earning a silver medal in the marathon at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, a second prefectural merit award has been decided for Ueyonabaru. Governor Tamaki lauded his achievements, “Even after turning 50, you’ve maintained your condition and motivation and earned medals again after 13 years. You’re a star for the senior generation.”   Tomoya Ito, a T52 medal candidate, had his classification changed just before the competition. In an interview after earning his medal, Ueyonabaru expressed his thanks to Mr. Ito who had come for the competition, stati...

  The 57th Ryukyu Shimpo Awards (for 2021) ceremony was held on 17 September at Ryukyu Shimpo Hall at Izumizaki in Naha. Awards were given for distinguished work in each of the fields of economics, society, culture, art, and sports. To honor their achievements in contributions to the prefecture’s progress and development, 6 individuals were each presented with a certificate and memento. The six recipients with their distinguished achievements were: Hiroiwa Miyagi (chairman of the Okinawa Trading Company Alliance) for economics and industry, Masahide Wakugawa (former chairman of Okinawa Gas)  for economics and industry, Seishiro Miyagi (director emeritus of Muribushi Clinical Training Center) for society and education, Chieko Omine (former chairman of the Prefectural Nursing Association) for society and education, Junko Ashitomi (chairman of the board of the Ryukyu Cuisine Preservation Association) for culture and art, and Tsuguo Sakumoto ( chairman of the Ryuei-ryu Ryuho Karat...

  A prefectural hospital office worker received an intimidating statement from LDP faction Assembly member Moriyuki Teruya, resulting in about one month of sick leave for mental and physical problems. At the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly meeting (Noboru Akamine, chairman) on 17 September, Governor Denny Tamaki and (hospital) Director Hitoshi Ganaha, while requesting renewal of Covid prevention measures, debated public documents submitted by Chairman Akamine. Vice-Governor Kiichiro Jahana pointed out that Mr. Teruya’s words and deeds “amounted to power harassment.” However, the LDP side requested the establishment of a third party committee, claiming, among other things, the evidence was insufficient. Because the LDP treated the question as urgent, in an unusual response, the representatives’ questions scheduled for the day were put off until 21 September. The document submitted to the Assembly on 15 September bore the title: “Concerning untoward acts against a prefectural worker by ...

The problem with sewage containing organic fluorine compounds (PFAS) from the US Military Futenma Airfield persists. On receipt of the national government’s announcement of the collection and disposal of untreated wastewater, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki announced his comment on 17 September, “With this treatment, they’ve taken it one step further.”   Besides Futenma Airfield, sewage containing PFOS and such are being stored at other US Military establishments on Okinawa. So, the governor touched on the necessity of onsite inspections at both Futenma and Kadena Airfields and emphasized, “We’ll keep on dealing with this in cooperation with our cities, towns and villages!” Prior to the comment above, the governor offered this response to a Ryukyu Shimpo question, “The US Military should really handle this on their own. However, since the Japanese government also strongly claims to have responsibility, as  a prefecture, we just want it done!”  Original Japan...

Governor Denny Tamaki held a press conference on 16 September. He called for thorough measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 during this weekend’s long holiday. The governor noted, “Whether or not we can suppress the  virus spread at this point, we’re at the critical moment when Okinawa can look forward to the lifting of the long protracted State of Emergency. While looking forward to an increase in tourism, he still had to urge diligence to those entering the prefecture with neither need nor urgency. The effective reproduction rate, which indicates how many people one victim can spread the infection to, is down below the over 0.57 estimated by the Prefecture. Governor Tamaki stated “If it drops to the  0.5 level, by the end of September we can relax the State of Emergency to Spread Prevention.” He intends to “ask the National Government to move to Spread Prevention,” if the prefecture’s people thoroughly combat the virus spread during Silver Week and the trend is suppresse...

Kanehide Group Chairman Morimasa Goya, who bore a leading role in promoting the All Okinawa struggle against construction of the new base in the city of Nago at Henoko, took questions from the Ryukyu Shimpo and others on 15 September. Concerning his take on the next House of Representatives election, he stated, “As Kanehide’s stance is basically middle road conservative (candidate support),” he is considering support for an LDP candidate. In the chief elections following  the Nago Mayoral election in January of next year also, likewise indicating the direction of his support for conservative candidates, he stated, “I don’t intend to make Henoko my prime issue.”  On the other hand, avoiding taking a stance on next year’s gubernatorial election, he answered that question with, “It’s too early to decide.” As for All Okinawa, he added, “We’re not riding together to our targeted final destination. Our ideals don't match.” The public show of the Kanehide Groups’s withdrawal of its p...