Denny in the News

Splendor of Okinawa: Blue Jacaranda, roadside Uruma, 27oc22    The 7th World-wide Uchina-nchu (Ryukuan: Okinawan) Festival Eve Parade (sponsored by a committee of the same name) was held on Kokusai Dori (International Street) in Naha on 30 October. 1600 visitors from 13 countries and 26 capitals participated in it. Including groups from within the prefecture and organizations from other parts of Japan, about 3,000 paraded in a display of music and dance from each of their countries and regions. The day was designated World-wide Uchina-nchu Day 6 years ago at the last such festival. The route was overflowing with people from the prefecture and tourists. The participation of all in the parade together attests the strength of Okinawan bonds. At the ceremony prior to the parade, designated Event Chairman Governor Denny Tamaki had words of thanks and greeting for the participants from abroad. Then he urged the people of the prefecture, “Let’s welcome all with our warmth,” and added...

Splendor of Okinawa: Golden rain tree, roadside Uruma, 27oc22 Preparations are underway today, 29 October, for the curtain to rise tomorrow on the 7th World-wide Uchina-nchu Festival, with welcoming at its peak for participants arriving in Okinawa.  On the 29th, about 800 participants from Hawaii, the largest number of participants ever from that region, are scheduled to arrive in Okinawa.  At around 3 p.m., about 200 of them arrived by chartered plane at Naha Airport. A welcome ceremony was held for them at Yuinichi (Ryukuan: Wellness) Plaza in the airport. Relatives living in Okinawa and people from the festival gave them an exuberant welcome. Chairman of the Hawaii-Okinawa Federation David Jones offered their greeting, “Thank you for your warm welcome. We feel pride as people with our roots in Okinawa.” Hawaii Governor David Ige, who is 3rd generation Okinawan, arrived in Okinawa the same day to attend the festival. He received a welcome at Naha Airport from Governor Denny ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Allamanda Schottii, roadside Uruma, 27oc22 On 28 October, the award ceremony for the 11th Individual or Group Contribution to the Creation and Maintenance of Peace in the Asian Pacific Region was held in Naha. Public Utility Corporate Foundation Okinawa Prefectural Women Teachers and Girls High School Number 1 Himeyuri Peace Memorial Foundation Establishment Himeyuri Memorial Archives Center received the award. Okinawa Peace Award Committee Chair Governor Denny Tamaki presented the award certificate and award medal with the award of 10 million yen to the foundation. He noted that staff and those associated with the foundation had “greatly encouraged” fresh consideration on the inheritance of war and propagation of peace. Foundation Board Chairman Masanori Nakahodo stated, “The staff and others at the Archive Center have continued the work of promulgating in Japan and abroad the transmission of the thoughts of those former students. Since this world has become more ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Egyptian star cluster, roadside Uruma, 28oc22 Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki held a press conference on 27 October at the Prefectural Office. He evoked measures for thorough caution against Covid-19 in conjunction with the opening of the World-wide Uchina-nchu Festival from 30 October. Over 5,000 visitors from overseas with a connection to the prefecture are expected to travel to Okinawa for the festival. Governor Tamaki called for awareness and such, “Because of increased contact opportunities, the risk of Covid transmission is high. People have scheduled attendance and plan to interact with relatives and friends. I’d like them to try to keep track of their health and take care of their physical condition.” Moreover, in view of the coming winter season, the governor is worried about Covid and influenza spreading at the same time, as well as the constriction of facilities in health care provision. Prefectural Public Health Care Director Itokazu stated, “When view...

Splendor of Okinawa: Paederia, roadside Uruma, 26oc22 The Naha Military Port and Bay Facility (Naha Military Port) is to be relocated to  Urasoe. Governor Denny Tamaki accepted the proposed layout for it which would locate the substitute  facility on the north side  of the Urusoe Civilian Port. On 25 October, when questioned by the press about the consistency of his agreement since the Prefecture has been opposed to the planned construction of the new base at Henoko, the governor answered by expressing his understanding, “The construction at Henoko and the Naha Port relocation are completely separate schemes. I want to get around to explaining that now.” On the planned new base construction attendant to the relocation  of the US Military Futenma Airfield, Governor Tamaki stated, “That plan adds new functions that aren’t at Futenma. Then there’s the enormous seabed improvement construction being carried out that is non-compliant with the law. So, we decided to refuse ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Pink rain lily, roadside Uruma, 26oc22 Both the Japanese and US Governments have agreed on a reversion plan involving the relocation of the US Military Naha Port Bay Facility (Naha Military Port, about 56 hectares) to Urasoe, also in Okinawa Prefecture. On 25 October, Okinawa Prefecture approved the Defense Ministry's plan to construct the substitute site landfill (about 49 hectares) in a “T” shape, somewhat like a hammer, along the Urasoe coast. On the same day, the Defense Ministry announced the Relocation Cooperation Committee will open online with the Prefecture, Naha, Urasoe and others.  The Prefecture has requested that the substitute facility not be used for such base functions as practice for US military planes or take-offs and landings, as the old facility sometimes was, and that maximum consideration be given to the total environment. Naha Military Port is right in the middle of the city of Naha. It is used for loading and unloading military goods. La...

Splendor of Okinawa: Milky Way, roadside Uruma, 16oc22 On 23 October, the Emperor and Empress attended the formal opening of the Chura Shima Okinawa Cultural Festival 2022 held at the Okinawan Convention Center in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture. 　 After the opening ceremonies, the Royal Couple visited the Ginowan City Sports Center and the Tomigusuku Okinawa Craft Industry Promotion Center, where they mingled with children learning to play the sanshin (Okinawan 3-stringed banjo), artists and others. This second day was for multiple contacts with people. During his speech at the opening ceremonies of the festival, the Emperor stated, “Okinawa has come to cultivate a bountiful culture of various hues touching multiple cultures. We expect this festival to bring an ever deeper understanding of Okinawa to the breadth of our Nation’s people.” 　 Governor Denny Tamaki pleaded, “We first of all beg that valor and hope be given through the wide diversity of our culture and arts  to those of us ...

Splendor of Okinawa:  Rhododendron, roadside Uruma,16oc22   Takeharu Onaga, who was supported by All Okinawa, was defeated in the Naha Mayoral Election. On the evening of 23 October, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki responded to the loss, “I regret that our strength was insufficient. We’ll carefully analyze the election results. I want to leave it at accepting what was lacking sincerely.” The governor also dealt with the new base construction at Henoko in Nago for the relocation of the US Military Futenma Airfield. He emphasized, “Our resolve is something that can never be broken. We will never let the new base be completed.” He further expressed his intention of continuing his pledge of opposition hereafter as well. As for the newly elected Satoru Chinen, he stated, “I’d hope, from an impartial position, we can leave it at a strong acceptance of the opinion of all the city’s people.” 　 Original Japanese article: Ryukyu Shimpo, published 24 October 2022 at 07:58. Byli...

Splendor of Okinawa: Helenium, roadside Uruma, 16oc22 　 On 22 October, the Emperor and Empress visited Okinawa for the first time since their enthronement. The Royal Couple laid a wreath for the victims of the Battle of Okinawa at the National Cemetery of the War Dead at Mabuni in Itoman. They also visited the Okinawa Peace Memorial Hall and Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum and such, where they received an explanation of the extraordinary horrors of the Battle of Okinawa. On 23 October, they will also visit the opening of the national people’s cultural festival, “Chura Shima (Ryukuan: Beautiful Island) Okinawa Cultural Festival 2022”, where they will attend the formal opening ceremony. This is the first visit to Okinawa for the Emperor since he last set foot here in 1987, but his sixth visit altogether. For the Empress, it was her second visit, with her first being in 1997. At the National Cemetery for the War Dead, the Royal Couple heard about the personal experiences of war from its...

Splendor of Okinawa: Bitter melon (Ryukyuan: Goya), roadside Uruma, 16oc22 The Naha Port and Bay Facility (Naha Military Port) is to be relocated to Ginowan. The Defense Ministry has submitted a proposed plan for a military port in the shape of a “T”. The Prefecture is making the final adjustments for its application. According to informed sources, each municipal body has been advised that on 25 October the “Relocation Coordination Committee” will hold its meeting. The Defense Ministry organized the committee with  the Prefecture, Naha and Ginowan cities, and the Naha Port Administration Association. The Prefecture is proceeding with adjustments to show the intention of the application in accord with exchanges of opinion with the Coordinating Committee. The Prefecture will also soon explain the scheme to the ruling party of the Prefectural Assembly. Governor Denny Tamaki held his scheduled press conference on the morning of 21 October and took questions on the Relocation Coordinati...

Splendor of Okinawa: Shinus, roadside Uruma, 16oc22 The Emperor and Empress will together visit Okinawa for a scheduled one night and two days starting on 22 October. It will be the first visit for both of them since taking the throne. During their visit, as one of 4 imperial events, they will attend the national people’s cultural festival, “The Chura Shima (Ryukuan: Beautiful Island) Okinawa Cultural Festival 2022.” Moreover, Governor Denny Tamaki is scheduled to hold discussions with them. This will be the 6th visit for the Emperor, if the time prior to taking the throne is included, the most recent being for their attendance at  the 2010 All Okinawa Chura Shima  Festival. For the Empress, it will be her second visit since her attendance at the 1997 National Agricultural Youth Interchange Rally.  In the back and forth of the relationship between the Royal Family and Okinawa,  emperors have had a deep involvement in the circumstances of Okinawa’s fate. Under the Emp...

Splendor of Okinawa: Weigela, roadside Uruma, 16oc22 With the ballot opening for the Naha Mayoral Election on 23 October, from the 20th, the campaigns have rushed into the final 3-day endgame election battle. Both candidates are running as independents in the election. But actually, former Prefectural Assembly Member Takeharu Onaga (35) is endorsed by the Communist Party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, the Social Democratic Party, the Social Masses Party, Reiwa, and Ninufa Bushi (North Star). Likewise, former Naha Vice-mayor Satoru Chinen (59) is endorsed by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito. Since the proclamation of the election on 16 October, both of them have been scurrying about to gather support. On 19 October as well, they were on street corners drumming up support. Right from the proclamation, the Onaga campaign started giving campaign speeches, with Governor Denny Tamaki seemingly daily along for support. With the highly popular governor standing with him on...