Does a questionnaire on the policies of the two candidates in the Naha Mayoral Election reflect an evaluation of the administrative policies of the Kishida National Government and the Tamaki Prefectural Government? (19oc22)


Splendor of Okinawa: Privet, roadside Uruma, 16oc22


We asked the two candidates in the Naha Mayoral Election, whose ballots will be opened on 23 October, to answer a questionnaire on their policies. The candidates are former Prefectural Assembly Member Takeharu Onaga (35), endorsed by the Constitutional Democratic Party, the Communist Party, Reiwa, the Social Democratic Party, Okinawa Socialist Masses Party, plus Ninufa- Bushi (North Star), and former Naha Vice-mayor Satoru Chinen, endorsed by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito. 


We have divided the poll into 3 parts for publication. This first part is about their political situation and the issue of the US Military bases. 


As to their value of Fumio Kishida’s administration, Candidate Onaga replied, “None,” while Candidate Chinen took the position, “Fair and just.” As for the Denny Tamaki administration, Candidate Onaga judged, “I value it.” Asked about the Kishida administration, Candidate Chinen again answered, “Fair and just,” explaining, “I sincerely look forward to relying on its necessary cooperation.”  


There is an opinion that the budget for Okinawa and the base issues are linked. To that assertion, Candidate Onaga responded, “I reject any link!” Candidate Chinen offered, “I can’t point to any certain linkage, but, in a political situation, we must not create mischievous controversy.


The issue of the relocation of the US Military Futenma Airfield to Henoko in Nago was also raised. Claiming his opposition to it, Candidate Onaga stated, “I feel as if a National Defense issue has been reduced to a problem for Nago and Henoko. The relocation plan should be abandoned.” Candidate Chinen stopped short of stating more than, “With the support of a majority of voters, the mayor of Nago declared, ‘We will defend against disputes between the Nation and the Prefecture’. I want to respect his position.”


As for a revision to Article 9 of the Constitution, Candidate Onaga affirmed, “I’m against it.” Candidate Chinen withheld his leanings with, “Among the Japanese people, some are for and others against. A broad consensus is essential.”


Original Japanese article: Okinawa Times, published Tuesday 18 October 2022 at 13:47. Byline: Naha Mayoral Election Coverage Squad.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/49f91848ffa8790b63e934fecaec95c321f1e1c2



Denny in the News: news about 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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