Denny in the News

Splendor of Okinawa: Hibiscus Schizopetalus, along the Tengan River, 30my22 Okinawa Prefecture decided on its policy for orthography to unify its syllabic notation (kana) for the prefecture’s five regional variants of the Ryukyu language (Shima Kutuba), for the sake of its propagation and continuation. The Shima Kutuba Orthography Research Group, chaired by Eikichi Hateruma and made up of educational and other experts, collated the syllabic notation of the five regional variants of the Ryukyu language (Shima Kutuba) and passed a summary of their efforts to Governor Denny Tamaki on 30 May. In 2009, UNESCO designated the five regional variants of the Ryukyu language as being in danger of extinction: Kunigami, Okinawa, Miyako, Yaeyama, and Yonaguni. However, since the Ryukyu language has sounds that are not used in Japanese, until now, researchers and others have been reduced to using various orthographic notations such as Japanese characters or their own orthographic symbols. The Ryukyu ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Sida Rhombifolia, along road in Uruma, 21my22 (TOKYO) The Asahi Shimbun Company held a symposium in Tokyo on 29 May, sponsored by Asahi Shimbun and Ryukyu Asahi Broadcasting in cooperation with the Okinawa Times. The symposium “Considering Okinawa, thoughts from an Okinawan viewpoint from Reversion 50 years ago and into the future” was in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Okinawa’s reversion to Japan. Governor Denny Tamaki, radio personality Jon Kabira, and model Kurara Chibana looked back on the history of Okinawa and the path of their families through photos from the childhood of the three. Governor Tamaki, whose father was a US soldier, revealed he had the experience of being bullied because of his appearance. He recalled going out the morning after the 1970 riots in Koza, before Reversion, to see what had occurred. “There was the smell of burning tires and oil, smoke from the still smoldering cars. I wondered if there had been a war.” Ms. Chibana recalle...

Splendor of Okinawa: Madagascar periwinkle, along road in Uruma Incumbent Governor Denny Tamaki (62) has confirmed the final adjustments to make the formal public announcement on 11 June of his candidacy for the gubernatorial election with ballots to be opened on 11 September. On 29 May, the coordination committee, which does the organization of the prefectural administration ruling party and labor unions supporting Governor Tamaki, set the time of the announcement to open right after Assemblyman Katsutoshi Toyama of Ti-da Peace Net, newly named  Speaker of the Prefectural Assembly, launches his new administration. The Prefectural Administration ruling party headquarters decided, “We pushed to adjust making the announcement on 11 June, just in time for the crucial 3 month notification period.” On another front, Governor Tamaki received a request for his candidacy from young volunteers in Okinawa City on 28 May. At a press conference after the committee meeting, the governor stated,...

Splendor of Okinawa: Emilia sonchifolia, along Uruma roadside, 21my22 With his term ending with the Okinawa gubernatorial election in September, Governor Denny Tamaki called a press conference for 11 June. He has decided to make  the final adjustments to announce his run for a second term at this news event for those concerned in his prefectural ruling party.  The Okinawa Branch of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) plans to decide on their chosen candidate on 28 May. From June on, along with the summer House of Councilors election, the front lines will be on the march. Governor Tamaki won his first election in 2018 by raising his cry against the plan to relocate the US Military Futenma Airfield from Ginowan to Henoko in Nago, both within the prefecture. This time, too, in the ballot opening on 11 September for the gubernatorial election, the battle will turn on the still important point of who is for or against the planned relocation. Governor Tamaki has already indicated to ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Marvel of Peru, roadside in Uruma On 26 May, former House of Councilors member and pro-wrestler Atsushi Onita (64) published a new tweet on Twitter. In it he criticized Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki for his “Zelenskyy remark”.  Governor Tamaki had appeared at an experts committee on the American Military bases issue on 25 May. He introduced himself with his first words, “I’m Zelenskyy. Nice to meet you.” However, there was a flood of criticism on that misguided joke such as, “It was imprudent.” Governor Tamaki explained, “I had been speaking of Zelenskyy over and over again. It was flippant.” Onita criticized Governor Tamaki’s remark, “The Okinawa Prefecture governor has no class,” adding, “Was he taking a shot at Ukraine in the middle of its war? That’s not a remark someone who’s a governor should make!” Onita further complained, “I wish the governor would be more concerned about the reality of China nosing around the Senkaku Islands.” Original Japa...

Splendor of Okinawa: Senna alata, along wall in Uruma, 21my22 On 25 May, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki attended the Advisory Board meeting on US Military base issues. As he took his seat on entering the meeting room, he greeted the online participants with, “Nice to meet you! I’m Zelenskyy.” Immediately, he neutralized it with, “It’s a joke!” However, when questioned about the real point of it at a press conference the same day, he apologized with, “It was flippant.” 　 Prior to the scheduled start of the meeting, the governor and committee members had been freely discussing the Ukraine situation just as they were entering the meeting room. At the press conference, the governor explained, “As I was taking my seat, we were talking about President Zelenskyy. The comment was meaningless.” He noted, “I want a peaceful life to return to the people of Ukraine as soon as possible and that’s my honest feeling without any question.” Moreover, the governor apologized profusely, “There ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Barleria cristata, on a wall in Uruma, 21my20 Okinawa Prefecture is searching for a solution to the problem of eradicating discrimination against former victims of Hansen's Disease and harmonizing their place in society. It was learned on 22 May that the Prefecture has firmed up its plan to set up a council within this year composed of Hansen’s disease survivors, educational specialists, relevant groups and others. 26 years have passed since the Leprosy Prevention Law abolition, which put an end to the quarantine of victims. Yet even now, discrimination against former victims and their families and the distress of living in local communities remains deeply rooted. The Prefecture intends to go about gathering opinions of the people concerned with the purpose of eradicating the problem. The Okinawa Hansen’s Disease Survivors Group requested the establishment of the council at a meeting with Governor Denny Tamaki last November. In January of this year, a questionn...

Splendor of Okinawa: Ashanti blood, Uruma roadside, 21my22 (ONNA) The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) held a ceremony in its great hall on 22 May to celebrate last November’s 10th anniversary of its founding. University President Peter Gruss, in his opening statement, commemorated the late Koji Omi who passed away in April and had put his heart into the establishment of the university as a former Cabinet Minister for Okinawa. He had zealously pleaded for assistance to OIST from the Japanese Government and others. President Gruss stressed the importance of innovation in new value creation through  science for economic development. In addition to those related to OIST, Governor Denny Tamaki, Speaker of the House of Representatives Hiroyuki Hosoda, and other pertinent politicians and economists from within and outside the prefecture attended the ceremony. Nobel Prize Winner in Science Doctor Venkatraman Ramakrishnan gave the keynote speech.  In a video message,...

Splendor of Okinawa: Valeria cristata, Uruma roadside, 21my22 Ballots will be opened in the Okinawa Gubernatorial Election on 11 September. The Okinawan LDP named the Vice-Governor of Miyazaki Prefecture Hirotaka Nagayama as a candidate they may support.  However, on 22 May, in response to press questions, the vice-governor expressed his intention of declining participation in a public information meeting. He asserted, “I give priority to public service in my position of devotion to Miyazaki Prefecture.” According to the Okinawa LDP, several people have expressed an interest in entering the race and they will be narrowed down to a single candidate at the information meeting on 28 May.  Vice-Governor Nagayama stated, “As a native of Okinawa, I’m thankful that my name came up for the office. But, I can’t be fully prepared in only one week.” He was born in the village of Ie and in 1995 joined the former Construction Ministry. In 2020, he took up his duties as Vice-Governor of Miy...

Splendor of Okinawa: Oleander, Uruma roadside, 21my22 One candidate is scheduled  to enter the ring for the Okinawa House of Councilors Election District. Incumbent Yoichi Iha (70, unaffiliated) set up and opened his campaign headquarters at Mekaru in Naha on 21 May, eyeing a second term. Councilor Iha laid out his stand, “I tirelessly will demand a halt to the new base construction at Henoko, a place for Okinawa in national affairs where it can realize a new future, and I support the Prefectural Administration of Denny Tamaki!”  House of Representatives Member Seiken Akamine emphasized, “Iha is someone who has come to grips with the heart of Okinawa. No matter what, he must win!” Governor Tamaki also offered a message by video. House of Representatives Member Kunio Arakaki and House of Councilors Member Tetsumi Takara were also in attendance and gave the candidate encouragement. The opening of the headquarters was also broadcast online. 5 members of the Diet opposition party ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Woodland false buttonweed, rising from an Uruma gutter To coincide with the end of the current term, ballots will be opened on 11 September in the Okinawa gubernatorial election. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Election Committee (chaired by Urasoe Mayor Tetsuji Matsumoto) will decide on the choice of the candidate to run. On 21 May, at a press conference after its third meeting, the committee announced it would decide whom they will pick to run from a list of 7 candidates. On 28 May, an open information session will be held with the 7 candidates. The  plan is to decide on the final candidate the same day and make the choice official. The list of 7 possible candidates comprises: Former Ginowan mayor and candidate for the 2018 gubernatorial election Atsushi Sakuma (57), Vice-governor of Miyazaki Prefecture Hirotaka Nagayama (50, born in Ie Village), Chair of the Prefectural Doctors Committee Kentaro Tamaki (46), Chair of the Prefectural Assembly Noboru Akamin...

Splendor of Okinawa: Bougainvillea, along the Tengan River  On 19 May, the Prefecture held a meeting of its Covid-19 Prevention Headquarters. The group decided to continue the Covid-19 Widespread Contagion Alert, which has been issued for the Okinawa Island and Miyako Island regions, until 26 May. After the Headquarters meeting on 19 May, Governor Denny Tamaki held a press conference. The governor made clear that, due to the tight situation of school PCR testing, he was considering the distribution of antigen qualitative test kits to assess their effectiveness in the short-term. As for the 23 June Memorial Day ceremony to mourn all the dead of the Okinawa Campaign, he expressed his intention of holding a scaled-down event for the third year in  a row. On the same day, the Prefecture announced that 2307 people, aged between 10 and 90 plus, had been newly infected with Covid-19. At the news conference, when the subject of the continuing widespread contagion among those under 10 ...