Okinawa Prefecture will not allow the military use of Shimoji Island Airport, It is considering rule changes on the binding force of its “Memorandums” with the Government to counter the SDF and the US Military. (26fe23)

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 regulations.”


In January of this year, the US Marines in Okinawa submitted a notice of use of Shimoji Island Airport for the purpose of “Flight familiarization for humanitarian aid and disaster relief.” However, the Prefecture requested self-restraint and the Marines let it pass.


However, the topic of the binding force of the Memorandum and the Confirmation bubbled up. Experts pointed out, “The Yara Memorandum and such are not reflected in the laws for carrying out regulations for the Prefecture’s establishment of the airport or its management. So, that invites a situation where there is no binding force.”


With the Taiwan situation in mind, within the ruling party of the Government, the mindset for using Shimoji Island Airport is gathering strength. However, the 1971 Yara Memorandum confirmed, “The Prefecture shall manage” Shimo Island Airport. Moreover, “According to the Department of Transportation (at that time), it is intended for no other use but civilian aircraft. There is no legal basis for ordering the Prefecture to allow its use for any purpose other than that.”


The 1979 Nishimei Confirmation further stated, “The airport shall be used for civilian aircraft, barring an instance of an extraordinary situation where another use cannot be helped, such as for humanitarian assistance or emergency evacuation.


Original Japanese article: Okinawa Times, published Thursday 23 February 2023 at 10:38. Byline: Daisuke Oshiro.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/5c7e29290fd97e9d7d6b4fc91b5f27e364b02984


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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