Denny in the News

Splendor of Okinawa: Crimson bottle  brush, roadside Uruma, 23fe23. The reinforcement defense capability has fostered discord within Okinawa Prefecture. Governor Denny Tamaki has criticized the Government’s Security Guarantee Policy for a presumed Taiwan Emergency. In contrast, the mayors of the Yaeyama Region (Ishigaki City, Taketomi District, Yonaguni District), and others skin-close to the Chinese threat are said to feel the governor is only exacerbating the unease. On 14 February, in his New Year’s General Policy Speech, Governor Tamaki stated, “We can’t allow a situation to arise where the risk of Okinawa becoming an attack target is heightened by the SDF’s (Self Defense Force) sudden reinforcement of its base functions.” In response to the governor’s assertion, on 22 February, the Yaeyama Daily News published a one page article titled “Yaeyama mayors” unease exacerbated by the governor’s criticism of the SDF, and they claim, ‘He just doesn’t get it!’” First, Ishigaki City May...

Splendor of Okinawa: Malvaviscus, roadside Uruma, 23fe23 22 February was the second day of representative interpellations at the February Ordinary Session of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly. 4 members of the ruling party faction took the podium. Governor’s Public Office Chief Noboru Kakazu responded to queries from Communist Party Member Mizuki Higa. The chief stated that the Prefecture’s Washington Office has been working with APALA (Asian Pacific Labor Alliance). He made clear that as a result, APALA submitted requests on behalf of the Prefecture in March of last year on problems such as  the new base at Henoko and PFOS pollution to the top echelons of the Armed Forces Committees in both Houses of Congress. In December of last year, through the Washington Office, a letter was sent addressed to the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, under Governor Denny Tamaki’s name, with his hope for an information exchange on issues such as PFOS pollution.  Chief Kakazu stated, ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Lantana Monte vidensis roadside Uruma, 23fe23 The Government and Okinawa Prefecture had confirmed between them in the Yara Memorandum and the Nishimei Confirmation that Shimoji Island Airport would not be used except for its purpose as as civilian airport  It was learned on 22 February that, reflecting on those documents, the Prefecture is taking a look at considering a change in regulations for the Prefecture’s management of the airport. So, the Prefecture is starting a consolidation of the background and such that brought about the Memorandum and Confirmation. According to top sources in the Prefecture, the Prefecture is considering giving the documents binding force on the Self Defense Force (SDF) and US Forces. At the Prefectural Assembly Session on 22 February, in answer to a query from Communist Party Representative Mizuki Higa, Governor Denny Tamaki responded, “We’re moving forward on studying if it is possible to have the Memorandums reflected in the re...

Splendor of Okinawa: Plumbago, roadside Uruma, 19fe23 There is a plan to relocate the US Military Futenma Airfield in Ginowan to Henoko in Nago, both in Okinawa Prefecture. 24 February marked 4 years since the Prefectural People’s Referendum on whether or not to conduct a landfill at Henoko for it. The result was a resounding no, with 70% of the votes opposed. Nonetheless, the Government has continued the landfill construction after the vote. On 24 February, Jinshiro Motoyama (31), a former representative of Henoko Prefectural People’s Referendum Committee, which had called for having the referendum, along with others held their event called the 2-24 Music Festival with live music and a talk event for young people to exchange their opinions on Okinawan topics and their viewpoints. Yamamoto stated, “I want to continue our movement so the Prefectural People’s Referendum won’t become just a transient moment.” The February 2019 Prefectural Peoples Referendum had a voter rate of 52.48%. The...

Splendor of Okinawa: Gazania rigens, roadside Uruma, 23fe23. Public schools in Okinawa have a shortage of teachers. It was learned on 22 February that as of January, its teaching staff was understaffed by 135 teachers. At the Prefectural Assembly questioning on the same day, Board of Education Chief Mitsuru Hanmine responded to inquiries by Communist Party Representative Nobuko Tamaki.  According to the chief’s breakdown of the understaffing problem, elementary schools were short 53 teachers, junior highs 42, high schools 24, special assistance schools 15, and junior high school nurses 1. The number lacking was up 39 from last October’s shortfall of 96. Education Chief Hamine stated, “The entire prefectural system is engaged in securing temporary part-time teaching staff.”  The Prefectural Board of Education asserts that, as of this January, 135 teaching staff positions were unfilled. Among them, the number of home-room teachers in the total was not clarified. On the cause of ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Pentas, roadside Uruma, 19fe23 According to Okinawa Liberal Democratic Party Representative Hiroki Nakata, schools with over 50 teachers are required to have an occupational health physician. However, as of 1 May 2021, the rate for such full-time physicians was 47.2% for public elementary schools in the prefecture, 45.9% for junior highs, 98.1% for high schools, and 100% for special assistance schools. The Ministry of Education targeted public schools and such for its survey. Education Director Mitsuru Hanmine noted that occupational health physicians were few in the region and that hiring full-timers for elementary and junior highs was not progressing well. The director stated, “We’d like to strongly work on cooperation with the prefectural and regional doctors’ associations, while at the same time encouraging municipal education boards to hire full-time occupational health physicians.” Moreover, according to Seigi Matayoshi of the Okinawa Liberal Democratic Party...

Splendor of Okinawa: Bitter Melon ( Ryukyuan: Go-ya-), on fence in Uruma, 19fe23 The team representing Cuba in the World Basketball Classic (WBC) is holding its training camp in Okinawa. In coordination with it, Cuban Ambassador to Japan Miguel Ramirez conferred with Governor Denny Tamaki at the Prefectural Office on 20 February. Now is the important pivot of the 125th anniversary of emigrants from Japan crossing to Cuba. So, Ambassador Ramirez is planning various cultural exchange projects and requesting, “We’re certainly asking for Okinawa's cooperation as well.” Governor Tamaki responded, “I myself would like to visit Cuba someday soon. In light of the history of Okinawa Prefecture’s emigrants, I would like to strengthen friendly relations between Cuba and Okinawa.” Original Japanese article: Ryukyu Shimpo, published Tuesday 21 February 2023 at 13:54.  Byline: Yukinao Chinen. https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/d547bc2cedc5c80d257113e62f1210a2b63cdf13 Denny in the News: news abou...

Splendor of Okinawa: Indian Shot, roadside Uruma, 19fe23 Scientists and others within Japan are requesting the establishment of a national museum of natural history in Okinawa.With that in consideration, the Prefecture is reinforcing its efforts, with Governor Denny Tamaki at the fore. A project team has been set up and is being promoted across departments. In 2023, a prefectural people’s committee will be established including private citizens. The concept is to plan a fermentation of opportunities for the prefecture’s people. The focus is not just to specialize on the natural history of Asia with its treasure chest of a plethora of organisms. Okinawa was considered a suitable place for its scholarship and geography. The aim is also the project’s ripple effect on economics, tourism, and such in employment, the gathering of customers, and the development of human resource development tied to research and educational organizations. Governor Tamaki, his vice governor, gathered with all d...

Splendor of Okinawa: Kalanchoe, roadside Uruma, 19fe23 About once every four years, the International Abilympics is held as a competitive rally for the disabled with special skills. Manabu Ishiki from Tomigusuku in Okinawa will take part in the event this year. On 17 February, he consulted with Governor Denny Tamaki at the Prefectural Office about his decision. Ishiki stated his aspiration  to the governor, “So far, I’ve put out my best efforts and I want to put my heart into getting a good result.” This will be the 10th International Abilympics and it will be held in France in March. Contestants from 22 nations and regions will participate. They will contest in 45 categories including home-page creation and flower arrangement. In 2020, Ishiki competed in the National Abilympics in Aichi Prefecture. There he completed a program for instructing a robot’s movement within 6 hours. With the gleaming gold medal for his successful operation and such in Computer Programming, he decided to...

Splendor of Okinawa: Oxalis, roadside Uruma, 16fe23 On 5 February, the 50th anniversary of the founding of Uruma Municipal Yokatsu No. 2 Junior High School (Principal Yoko Yoshihira) and the ceremony for completion of its gymnasium were held. A storm of applause broke out when, in a surprise appearance, Governor Denny Tamaki, a member of its third graduating class, took the stage.  Looking fondly back at his own days at the school, the governor quipped, “I remember that we even began classes as pebble pickers on the sports ground!” He cheered the students on with, “I hope that you will become human resources that will spread your wings widely in the world.” At the gymnasium opening ceremony, those involved celebrated it with a ribbon cutting. The 50th Anniversary program opened with a Kajadifuu (traditional Okinawan dance with music) by the students. Student President Ryoma Arakaki exhorted his fellow students, “After our graduation, let’s not let past graduates beat us in service ...

  Splendor of Okinawa: Cosmos, Yogi Park Naha, 17fe23 Gold medalist in Male Karate Performance at the Tokyo Olympics Okinawa-born Ryo Kiyuna has announced his retirement. On the morning of 17 February, on arrival at the Prefectural Office, Governor Denny Tamaki lauded Kiyuna’s achievements to date in response to queries from the general media, noting, “He has given especially great hope and courage to the people and the youth of Okinawa Prefecture. For us, he has built a great landmark by, time and again, giving notice of Okinawa’s tradition as the cradle of karate to the world at large.”  The governor also alluded to the 6 Asian Karate Championships won in a row in Male Karate Performance by Arata Kinjo and Takuya Uemura, who are also both retiring. He noted, “It’s too bad that they’re retiring. But actually, I feel they’ve left an enormous footprint on the sport. We have great expectations that each of them will continue in providing leadership to the next generation.” The t...

Splendor of Okinawa: Jatropha integerrima, along Tengan River, 16fe23. The Chunichi Dragons are holding their spring camp in Chatan Town and Yomitan Village. On 10 February, their President Katsuya Yoshikawa and Squad Representative Hiroyuki Kato paid a courtesy visit to Governor Denny Tamaki at the Prefectural Office.  President Yoshikawa announced to the governor that pitcher Reia Nakachi, first pick  in last year’s draft, was plugging away with enthusiasm during training. He stated,”We’d like this season to end with good success with him on the team.” Squad Representative Kato’s anticipation for pitcher Nakachi was, “It will be a joy when he takes the mound next week for a game with an outside opponent.” A smiling Governor Tamaki was presented with an original uniform with pitcher Nakachi’s number 31 printed on it, a towel, hat, and a Chunichi team mascot  Doala doll. The governor quipped to the Chunichi players who have come to Okinawa, “I think your fans will be as d...