Citing concerns over China, the Defense Minister defends Japan’s southwestern defense buildup, “With these capabilities, we’ll allow no change to the current situation.” (8de22)


Splendor of Okinawa: Pink wood sorrel, roadside Uruma, 6de22


(TOKYO) On 6 December, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada held a press conference after his Cabinet meeting. He explained the defense buildup in the southwest region, which is on everyone’s mind, with the reinforcement of the 15th Brigade of the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) stationed at its base located in Naha. He expressed his acknowledgement thus, “We’re showing our country’s determination that, through our capabilities, we will not permit any so-called change in the current situation.” We’re raising our deterrence capacity against an attack on that section of our islands and our capability of dealing with it.  


The minister also expressed a sense of wariness in the light of China’s military emergence and its threat to Taiwan. As to the 15th GSDF Brigade, it will be reinforced from its current one infantry regiment to two. A proposal is being considered to raise the rank of its commander from Lieutenant General to General.


In the press conference, Minister Hamada was queried on the state of adjustments within the Defense Ministry. He explained, “On the reinforcement of our defense posture in the southwest region, we’ll be advancing our thinking as we look forward to the year-end formulation of the new National Security Guarantee Strategy. On one point, the content of the adjustments, he evaded with, “I’d rather refrain from commenting on that.” But, he expressed his understanding, “This force deployment is connected to rapid response to large scale disasters  that may occur and the security of our nation’s people.” 


On another front, on 5 December, Governor Denny Tamaki requested a decrease in the burden of bases, quipping, “If there is a SDF buildup in the guise of so-called defense capability, there ought also to be a decrease  of the comparative  weight of US Forces in equal measure.” He pointed out, “That’s a necessity since it’s over and above the US Military bases that already protect our country’s peace and security.” The governor added, “We consider that the national government’s grave responsibility.”


As for adopting concrete measures, the governor merely noted, “The Japanese and US governments have already agreed on the reversion of the land at the southern end of Kadena base to us and the relocation of the US Marines to Guam. We’re  putting all our strength into realizing that as soon as possible.” 


Original Japanese article: Ryukyu Shimpo, published Tuesday 6 December 2022 at 16:09. Byline: Yosuke Asato.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/c30fb9e49b5f294f1f5e4e05565481545cadeba4


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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