At a party on the anniversary of his third year since taking office, Governor Denny Tamaki reflected on his Henoko ‘refusal’ decision, “If they want a new fight, we’ll take them on!” (17de21)

On 16 December, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki held a political fund-raising party at a hotel in Naha to report on his three years in office as governor. Touching on his decision to refuse the request for design changes for the new base construction at Henoko in Nago, the governor made clear his commitment, “Following the dying wish of the late Governor Takeshi Onaga, if they intend a new fight, we’ll confront them!”


He also alluded to such topics as the battle against the spread of Covid-19, his achievements so far with PCR testing, and his aspirations for his fourth year. However, he was vague about whether he’d run in the gubernatorial race to be held next fall.


As for Memorial Day next year on the 50th Anniversary of Okinawa’s Return to Japan, Governor Tamaki pointed out his thinking that the voices and thoughts of the Prefecture’s people be embedded in the Peace Declaration that he will transmit. He will moreover strongly advance measures to realize an issue that he has publicly raised, “A gentle society befitting Okinawa where nobody is left out.” He will also put his strength behind Sustainable Development Goals, “We will vigorously develop SDGs.”


Former House of Representatives Member Toshinobu Nakasato was the chairman of the booster meeting. Vice-governors Ichiro Jahana and Yoshimi Teruya greeted the group and offered their expectations of reelection. After the meeting report, Governor Tamaki declined to take press questions on his expectation for reelection, emphasizing, “While I’m daily facing public realities and solving issues, I’d rather you left me to my work.” Moreover, he stated, “I think my future prospects are coming into view.” As to when he would make his decision clear, he avoided a concrete response  with answers such as, “When conditions become apparent.”


Naha Mayor Reiko Shiroma, prefectural municipality chiefs, and supporters attended the report meeting. From the business community, Okinawa Ham President Tokumatsu Nagahama attended. Because of measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, attendance was limited to 350 people.


The governor introduced Yohei Kishimoto, the announced candidate for next year’s 23 January Nago mayoral election, and the incumbent mayor of Nanjo Chobin Zukeran, who has set his sights on reelection, and urged them on.


Original Japanese article: Okinawa Times, published Friday 17 December 2021 at 08:36

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/8bd544483013f6c8a8555cfab161e6449e8825a3


Translator’s note:

Denny in the News: news about Okinawan Governor Denny Tamaki.

Denny Tamaki is the governor of Okinawa Prefecture in Japan. Although Okinawa is important as an international tourist destination and a key element in strategic US Military Forces, its governor receives very little coverage in the Japanese press and almost none in the English language media. 

  1. This blog hopes to  translate one news article a day on the governor.  It is unsponsored and unauthorized. The translator simply hopes to improve his skills and perhaps give the governor an English speaking audience. 

  2. Any suggestion on improving the translation will be gratefully accepted. However, please leave political comments for another forum.

  3. Where they occur, words and phrases in Ryukyuan (the Okinawan language) are rendered in italics and translated in parentheses. Names  whose readings are uncertain are rendered as Name (=Kanji?) as in Nagayuki (=長行?). Any corrections in such instances would be gratefully appreciated.

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