Denny in the News

Splendor of Okinawa: Adenium obesum, roadside Uruma, 13ap23 The US Military plans to relocate the Kadena Air Base rust prevention servicing hangar to a new site, disregarding requests by Kadena and other districts in Okinawa. The revised plan offered will relocate the facility to an old apron nearby called Papa Loop, close to civilian residential areas. On 28 April. Governor Denny Tamaki responded to the planned move, “It’s a terrible shame. I can’t help being outraged.” The Prefecture has again and again opposed the relocation plan of the rust prevention servicing hangar to the  Papa Loop area. The governor stated, “It’s wrong for this region’s burden to be further increased. I want to consider our ongoing response also in an exchange of ideas with Kadena District.” Kadena District Mayor Hiroshi Toyama emphasized, “This facility will certainly have an impact on the environment of its surroundings. We can’t accept it being constructed near our civilian housing areas.” Explanations ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Madagascar jasmine, roadside Uruma,16ap23 On 23 June, Okinawa holds its “Consolation of Souls Day” in a ceremony to remember all the dead from the Battle of Okinawa. Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki held a press conference on the subject on 28 April. The governor signaled his intention of carrying out the ceremonies on nearly the same scale as 4 years ago,  before the widespread scourge of Covid-19. The regular incense offerings will be carried out after entry to the assembly site for general attendees and the conclusion of the ceremony. The governor stated, “In order to continually pass on our heritage of respect for peace to the children of our future generations, we are proceeding with preparations, while keeping in mind that the ceremony be sincere and safe.” Before the scourge of Covid-19, about 5,000 people, including the general public of the prefecture, participated. On the ceremony itself, the governor noted, “We’re assuming a large crowd will ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Hippeastrum, roadside Uruma, 16ap23 Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki held a press conference on 27 April, before the long Golden Week (GW) holidays. Considering the experience of the last 2 years, newly-infected Covid-19 patients might possibly increase after the extended holidays. So, the governor called for cooperation in infection prevention measures, noting, “How each and every one of our prefecture’s citizens passes that time is important.” During the long holidays, a great many health facilities stop seeing patients, and so there is concern that they will congregate at emergency out-patient facilities. Thus, patients with minor problems or those coming for check-ups are requested to avoid emergency room visits. Also, people are being requested to have on hand a 3-day supply of food, an antigen test kit, and fever medicine in case of fevers and such. Moreover, the governor encouraged consultations at the Fever Call Center and Child Medical Consultation reception ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Moth orchid, roadside Uruma, 24ap23 Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada is making preparations in case North Korea’s Military Spy Satellite No.1 falls into Japanese territory. He has issued an ‘Order to  Destroy Policy’. He is further preparing to expand ground-to-air missiles, such as the Patriot PAC3, to units everywhere in the prefecture. On the morning of 24 April stated to the press corps, “I would like the National Government to carry out speedy joint reporting, with a full and exhaustive explanation to our citizens and my administration.” The Defense Department is said to be planning an explanation on the expansion to the Prefecture during 24 April. Original Japanese article: Ryukyu Shimpo, published Monday 24 April 2023 at 10:39 https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/79f797bc9ff5e0864cab1d1e74a1b6c10bf856ef 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 intern...

Splendor of Okinawa: Canna, roadside Uruma, 24ap23 (TOKYO) On 25 April, Cabinet Minister for Okinawa Naoki Okada was at an informal meeting of cabinet ministers. He aggressively called for adding ‘kariyushi wear’ (0kinawan bright light clothes) as a clothing choice while engaged in cool business, where summer light clothing (short-sleeves, no coats or ties) is being urged. Minister Okada confirmed this the same day after the Cabinet meeting. He pushed the idea stating, “With the hot summer season on its way in, as a fashion choice, I’d certainly like to have it considered.” The Environmental Ministry is calling for intensively carrying out its cool business policy in Tokyo each year from 1 May to the end of September. 　 Minister Okada claims to himself have several items of kariyushi wear. He stated, “I’d like to appeal widely to its comfort and elegance, as well as to take a role in spreading its popularity far and wide.” 　 In the morning of the same day, Minister Okada met Governor D...

Splendor of Okinawa: Oenothera, 19ap23 　 Japan is making preparations in case a North Korean spy satellite is launched and falls into Japanese territory. Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada has proclaimed his “Order to Prepare Measures for Destruction”. He further has ordered preparations to expand Patriot (PAC3) and other land-to-air guided missile (SAM) squads to every region within Okinawa Prefecture. On 24 April, representatives from the Defense Ministry and Self Defense Force (SDF) met  with the Governor’s Public Office Chief Masahito Tamari. They requested the Prefecture’s cooperation in the smooth expansion of PAC3 missile systems. The Prefecture, for its part, called for total measures to be taken to preserve the safety, property, and lives of the prefecture’s people, and that ‘measures be taken so there will be no impact on the anxieties and daily lives of the prefecture’s people’. Moreover, the prompt issuance of information and such was requested. The discussions were condu...

Splendor of Okinawa: Gladiolus Dalenii, roadside Uruma, 19ap23 North Korea is planning to launch a satellite. In response, the Defense Ministry announced it will deploy PAC3 surface to air missiles (SAMs). Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki responded to the press in Naha regarding the deployment. The governor promised, “First, I’m going to peruse the announcement closely. Then I’ll request the National Government for an explanation, which may be a reprimand.”  Governor Tamaki pointed out the fact that North Korea has been repeatedly firing off missiles. So, he has to be skeptical when the Defense Ministry responds only this time by deploying PAC3s within his prefecture. On the response being different from before, the governor noted,”We’re going to point out to the relevant department that the background  be scrupulously examined.” As for the governor’s viewpoint on the deployments being located on islands, such as Miyako and Ishigaki, the governor pointed out, “I can on...

Splendor of Okinawa: False sunflower, roadside Uruma, 23ap23 A symposium on “The Henoko Trial and Okinawa’s Pride in its Autonomy, Trials Today and Hereafter” will be held on 22 April at 2 to 4:30 P.M. at Ryukyu Shimpo Hall in Naha. It is co-sponsored by the Henoko Litigation Support Study Group and the All Okinawa Committee. Admission is free. Lawyer Yutaka Kato will lecture on “The Problematic Points in the High Court Judgment and Prospects for the Supreme Court on the Prefecture’s Refusal of Permission for Changes”. Nagoya University Professor Emeritus Kenji Kamino will speak on the theme “The Henoko Issue and the Law”.  In the panel discussion, Lawyer Kato and Professor Kamino will take the stage with Niigata University Professor Emeritus Masaaki Tateishi, Lawyer Chihiro Kawazu, and Waseda University Professor  Masanori Okada. Governor Denny Tamaki will also offer his greetings. Original Japanese article: Ryukyu Shimpo, published Saturday 22 April 2023 at 12:14 https://ne...

Splendor of Okinawa: Pickerel weed, roadside Uruma, 17ap23 (NAGO) On the afternoon of 20 April, Governor Tamaki answered questions at the Northern District Prefectural Joint Office in Nago City from each media company for their reporting. The Naha Military Port and Bay Facility ( Naha Military Port) is slated for relocation to Urasoe City. The Japan-US Joint Committee has offered a proposal for the new facility’s shape and such. Governor Denny Tamaki expressed his thinking, “First, let’s get the location is the alternate facility and its shape confirmed. Then, I think a conference between the US and Japan can get underway. After a US-Japan agreement on that, we can confirm the suitability of the details. We’d like to get to an  enquiry on the essentials.” Currently, instances of aircraft taking off and landing at Naha Military Port have repeatedly occurred. The governor emphasized his thinking that he will request that Memo 5.5, agreed to by the U.S. and Japan at the time of Okinaw...

Splendor of Okinawa: Jersey lily, roadside Uruma, 17ap23 A Ground Self Defense Force (SDF) helicopter went missing in Okinawa Prefecture in the sea near Miyako Island. During the night of 13 April, several bodies, seemingly the passengers, were discovered on the floor of the sea near Miyako Island. The local people have also been praying for progress in the search. “Slow Time”, a fishing boat connected to the Irabu Fishermen’s Association, requested its crew to assist by sailing their boat to the accident site. “I think it would be really difficult to send divers down to where the fuselage seems to have been discovered, because of the depth of the sea there,” opined the male captain (39) of the boat on the difficulty of the task. The submarine salvage ship “Chihaya,” which is to send divers down to the bottom of the sea, could be seen in the distance. From time to time, doubt could be seen in the captain’s eyes over whether there would be any trace in the flotsam. “From here on in, I’d...

Splendor of Okinawa: Carruthers’ falseface, roadside Uruma, 17ap23 Governor Denny Tamaki held a press conference on 14 April. He announced that the China trip he is considering will be  at the beginning of July. The governor is in the middle of arrangements over whether to go on his own or as a member of a group formed by the Japan Association for the Promotion of International Trade (Chairman: Former House of Representatives Speaker Youhei Kono). According to that association, there is a good chance of meeting Chinese government national leadership for those in its China trip group. The purpose of the association’s group is to advance trade with China. Former Speaker Kono is considering dispatching this 46th grip trip to China as its group leader. Besides meeting with national government leaders in Beijing, the group is also said to be planning exchanges with the Chinese Government Commercial Bureau, holding seminars, and such. After the scourge of Covid-19, the association is in ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Peace lily, roadside Uruma, 18ap23. On the morning of 17 April, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki answered questions from the press corps at the Prefectural Office. A helicopter carrying 10 passengers from the Ground Self Defense Force (SDF) Headquarters was lost at sea near Miyakojima. In the ensuing search activity, what seem to be 5 of the passengers were found, and of them 2 have been confirmed dead. On their deaths the governor stated, “The situation is extremely regrettable, but I would have the continuing search go on, so that those lost can be returned to the bosom of their families as soon as possible.” On how long the search activity would continue after the occurrence of the accident, Governor Tamaki commented, “For a search at sea, a very great deal of time and technical skill is required. I would like the continuing intensive search activity to go on without a break.” The governor also had words on his thoughts about clarifying the cause of the ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Monks cress, roadside Uruma, 13ap23 On 8 April, 2 US AIr Force F16 fighter jets attached to the US Air Force base at Osan, Korea, made emergency landings at Shimoji Airport in Miyakojima City. (trans. note: If the F16s flew out of Osan, they were well past their combat radius, though within their ferry - empty of all cargo - range. Could they have been on a one-way flight to Taiwan?) On 14 April, 6 days later, they were still parked at that airport. On 15 April, it had become a full week since the emergency landings. On the morning of 14 April, Governor Denny Tamaki held his scheduled press conference. He showed his concern over aircraft troubles, noting, “Very significant accidents invariably involve life and property.” To the US Military, he requested an open airing of the cause, measures to prevent a recurrence, with thorough safety checks and such during maintenance.  　 Asked about notification of the date of the aircraft taking off again,  Governor Ta...