Denny in the News

Splendor of Okinawa: Royal Poinciana, roadside Uruma, 22se22. The Prefecture announced on 29 September that their Majesties the Emperor and Empress will visit the prefecture from 22 to 23 October to attend the “2022 Chura Umi (Beautiful Sea) Cultural Festival.” The Royal Couple will attend the opening ceremony of the event at the Ginowan Convention Center on 23 October, where they will offer a greeting. This will be their first visit to the prefecture since taking the throne in 2019. During their visit to the prefecture, the Royal Couple will receive a summary explanation of the Prefectural Administration by Governor Denny Tamaki. Moreover, they will observe relevant events at the Cultural Festival. This Cultural Festival is being held in the pivotal 50th year since Reversion to Japan. Governor Tamaki emphasized, “We are promoting Okinawa’s culture both here in Japan and abroad. Our culture has a deep significance for us, far and above its diversity.” The governor further proclaimed in...

Splendor of Okinawa: Sponge gourd (Ryukyuan: Na-bira), roadside Uruma, 28se22 On 28 September, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada and Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki met for about 30 minutes of discussions. Governor Tamaki is just after winning reelection in a landslide on 11 September, carrying his banner of opposition to the relocation of the US Military Futenma Airfield in Ginowan to Henoko in Nago. Minister Hamada claims that the government plan still is “to drive forward the relocation to Henoko.” So, the discussions ended up going nowhere.  Governor Tamaki stressed, “Right from the last 3 gubernatorial elections in a row, it has been made abundantly clear by the overwhelming number of ballots of our prefecture’s citizens that the popular will is opposed to the relocation.” In addition to the abandonment of the Henoko relocation, the governor requested the establishment of “a site for the Prefecture and the National Government to exchange opinions.” Finally, the governo...

Splendor of Okinawa: Oleander, roadside Uruma, 26se22 The Expert Panel on Covid-19, chaired by Hideki Kuniyoshi, concurrently chairman of the Prefectural Health and Environmental Research Committee, held its joint meeting on 27 September. The Panel discussed  revisions to Okinawa Covid Response Plan due by 30 September. Improvement is being seen in the situation of the spread. By and large, the members expressed understanding of the proposed changes submitted in the Prefecture’s plan, such as lifting the “No more than 4 people for 2 hours” rule for group meals, but only at certified shops. But they stopped short of considering lifting the “Extraordinary Health Situation Declaration”, which has continued for over 2 months. On 29 September, the Prefecture will formally decide on the recommendations at a Response Headquarters meeting. The changes proposed by the Prefecture revised such wording as “As much as possible, group meals with large numbers of people over a lengthy time should...

Splendor of Okinawa: Porcelainflower, roadside Uruma 27se22 On 27 September, a State Funeral will  be held for the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. An invitation to attend was sent to the National Mayors Conference. Prefectural City Mayors Conference Chairman Okinawa City Mayor Sachio Kuwai and Prefectural Town and Village Conference Zamami Village Mayor Satoru Miyazato are scheduled to attend.  Mayor Kuwae explained, “The late Prime Minister Abe pushed to shorten the construction time of the second runway at Naha Airport. Moreover, he assured an Okinawa promotional budget in the range of 300 billion yen until 2021. He really put his heart into Okinawa’s development for us. Since we got an invitation, of course we will attend.” Governor Denny Tamaki stated, regarding his attendance plans, “It’s up to the governors themselves.” Then he added, “There were some results in the work he put  into Okinawan development, such as the improvement in the unemployment rate or the rate ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Winter daffodil, roadside Uruma, 26se22 A supplementary budget proposal was deliberated at the Prefectural Assembly on 26 September for bringing a lawsuit questioning whether or not the National Government’s decision on the relocation of Futenma Airfield to Henoko was illegal. The proposal passed with the agreement of the ruling party majority, controlled by Governor Denny Tamaki, over the objections of the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito, and independents. The National Government had requested plan changes in the relocation of the Futenma base, including construction to shore up the weak seabed discovered in the bay at Henoko in Nago.  The Prefecture refused permission for such reasons as the “inadequacy of the survey.” However, the Transport Minister nullified the Prefecture’s refusal. He issued instructions for correction, requesting that the permission be approved. The Prefecture deemed that inappropriate and plans to litigate an appeal questioning whethe...

Splendor of Okinawa: River tamarind, roadside Uruma, 24se22 (TOMIGUSUKU) On 9 October, ballots will be opened in the Tomigusuku Mayoral Election. Incumbent Mayor Hitoshi Yamakawa  (48) has announced his candidacy for reelection. He is endorsed by the Communist Party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, Reiwa, and Nuda-Bushi (North Star). On 23 September, he held his general mass kickoff rally at the Okinawa Karate Stadium. Mayor Yamakawa pledged to continue his city administration policies, “We’re going to continue making Tomigusuku a city exuberant and joyful, radiant with the smiles of children, for every citizen.” Together with his supporters, all chanted “Let’s go for it!”, and pledged Yamakawa’s re-election. Mayor Yamakawa emphasized his accomplishments in his first term, such as crafting policies for children. He touted his determination, “An administration without cheering on its children has no future. Our city employees and citizens, all of us who have made Tomigusuku, we...

Splendor of Okinawa: Physostegia, wall in Uruma, 20se22 During the gubernatorial election, Osaka Sennan City Assembly Member Shiori Soeda published falsehoods about then candidate Denny Tamaki. Through our reporting, we’ve learned that, in a reaction, the Sennan Office of Osaka Prefectural Police received a document of accusation on 22 September for suspicion of a violation of the election law (proclamation of falsehoods) issued by a citizens group. The document of accusation, submitted by the Nara-Okinawa Federation Committee’s representative Saiki Sakihama, stated, “This is a problem, not just about Okinawa, but about the very heart of democracy. What the police received from us is to be a warning against slander and calumny, as well as misinformation. We will  keep our eyes focused on the follow-up investigation.” The document was also submitted under the name of the co- representative of the “The Committee for Consideration of Social Coexistence”, Masashi Dehara (=出原?). The iss...

Splendor of Okinawa: Nettlespurge, Angel Park, Uruma, 22se22. The Okinawa Prefectural Assembly held an extraordinary session on 22 September over the planned new base construction at Henoko in Nago related to the relocation of the US Military Futenma Airfield. The Assembly deliberated on the 3rd supplemental budget proposal for the 2022 general appropriations. In order to start litigation on an appeal against the National Government, the Assembly must agree to a proposal to add 5.98 million yen to the budget for its fees. In a vote of the Special Committee on Base Relations, the for and against votes ended even, so the committee chair broke the tie by voting against the proposal. But, the General Affairs Planning Committee voted with a majority in favor of the proposal. The whole Prefectural Assembly will vote the proposal up or down on 26 September. Bunshun Suematsu of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) pointed out that up to this point 223 million yen has been squandered on litigatio...

Splendor of Okinawa: Adenium, Angel Park, Uruma, 22se22 At her regular press conference on 21 September, Naha Mayor Mikiko Shiroma was questioned about the possibility that she might not clearly support any of the designated candidates in the 23 September city mayoral election. She responded, “At this point, whichever choice is possible. In fact, the choice may be unnecessary.” Until now, in response to this paper’s coverage, the mayor has explained, “After I’ve seen the policy declarations of both candidates, I’ll make my decision.” This was her first pronouncement that she may not clearly support either candidate. In the mayoral race, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito intend to push former Vice-mayor Satoru Chinen (59). All Okinawa intends to push former Prefectural Assembly Member Takeharu Onaga (35) as its candidate. Both candidates claim they will carry on the legacy of the late Mayor Takeshi Onaga as their own. They are both requesting support from Mayor Shiroma who ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Small bush violet, roadside Uruma, 19se22 (TOKYO) While up in Tokyo on 20 September, Governor Denny Tamaki made the rounds of the Japan opposition parties and others who supported him in his election to report his victory and express his thanks.  General Secretary Toru Kinjo, who organized Governor Tamaki’s basic support party Hiyamikachi Umanchu ( Ryukyuan: Everybody, Celebrate!) accompanied him. They asked for cooperation in the mayoral elections in Tomigusuku and Naha where ballots will be opened in October. Visiting the headquarters of the Constitutional Democratic Party, Governor Tamaki offered his greeting, “I want to do my best to study also how to get the understanding of people across the nation on Okinawa’s place as standard bearer for regional rights.”  Representative Kenta Izumi replied, “From here on in, we’re going to pass through all sorts of elections. We want to cooperate to increase our friends in cooperation with the governor.” In additi...

Splendor of Okinawa: Zinnia, roadside Uruma, 16se22. The 5th Masamori Miyanaga Award Presentation Ceremonial Celebration (sponsored by the Yaeyama Daily Report) was held at a city hotel. Shigeru Ishigaki (85),  consultant to the Yaeyama Cultural Research Committee, received the award. A large number of pertinent people flocked to the gathering to laud Ishigaki’s accomplishments. Ishigaki said in gratitude, “I’ve received this splendid award. I’ve passed my days keenly aware of my teacher Miyanaga in my thoughts.” Masamori Miyanaga’s outstanding achievement was his research on the languages, culture, and arts of Yaeyama and Okinawa. This is an award given to a person who plays a great role in passing on the festivals and culture of the Yaeyama region, and in passing, Miyanaga, a language scholar born in Ishigaki Island, founded the Yaeyama Daily Report, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Ishigaki passed long years treading the path of research, starting with the Yaeyama lang...

Splendor of Okinawa: Slender dwarf morning glory, roadside Uruma, 17se22 In the Okinawa Prefecture Gubernatorial Election, incumbent Governor Denny Tamaki, who is affiliated with the National Government’s opposition party, won hands down. Actually, I personally went to the prefecture on 4 September because I eagerly wanted to do an article on the election campaign. Unfortunately, I ran straight into a typhoon, so I couldn’t get a chance to see street corner stumping and such. However, when observing regional results, Atsushi Sakima, who was supported by the coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Komeito, and the Japan Innovation Party, had wins here and there. Observing from Tokyo, it had seemed that  Governor Denny Tamaki would win outright with support from All Okinawa, but then, I thought, might there not be districts where he wouldn’t?  From now on, too, Denny will oppose the National Government on the issue of the relocation of the base to Henoko that carried hi...