Okinawa Prefecture’s governor exchanges views with the district mayors of Henoko on problems such as the relocation work and noise. (23my23)


Splendor of Okinawa: Ramgoat dashalong, roadside Uruma, 13ap23


The US Military Futenma Airfield in Ginowan is scheduled to be relocated within Okinawa Prefecture at Henoko in Nago. On that topic, on 19 May, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki held talks with the district mayors of Henoko in Nago where landfill work for it is in progress. They exchanged viewpoints on the impact of the relocation work, the issue of the noise from training exercises at neighboring US Military Camp Schwab, and local development. 


Since he took office as governor in October of 2018, this was the first time for Governor Tamaki, who is opposed to the relocation to Henoko, to discuss the matter with the local district mayors.The district mayors represent the local neighborhood associations in the so-called Kube 3  Districts   of Henoko, Toyohara and Kushi. Governor Tamaki met the mayors at the Henoko Community Center. Their exchange of views lasted about an hour and a quarter. Only the opening comments were made public to the press squad.


Henoko District agreed to the relocation in return for compensation for local development and such. Top government officials such as the Chief Cabinet Secretary come frequently to meet the mayors and relay their requests. But in his opening address, Henoko District Mayor Shigeru Shimabukuro complained that those opposed to the relocation, such as former Governor Takeshi Onaga and current Governor Tamaki, until now, had never once visited the district. Mayor Shimabukuro admonished the governor, sarcastically noting, “We wondered when a governor would get around to dropping by!”


During press corps coverage after the meeting, Governor Tamaki referred to the four-and-a-half year gap in exchanges of views since his taking office. In vindication, the governor claimed that he was preoccupied with finding, first of all, a response for Covid-19 and was mindful of the difference in stances on the relocation issue, “It took ages to arrange an environment where we could earnestly exchange the various viewpoints in the Kube 3 Districts, which encompass complicated emotions.” 


The governor further added that the problems were not limited solely to the relocation issue. He noted, “We’ve been able to confirm that there are common topics that we must address to the Government, even the noise and such from the daily use of the base.” He expressed his desire to continue discussions  henceforth.


The estimated population of Nago City was about 63,820 as of the end of March. Within that number, about 1680 live in Henoko District, about 440 in Toyohara District, and about 540 in Kushi District. Each district contains US Military base land subject to military use land rent, which finances labor expenses of the mayor and district employees, local events, and such. According to Nago City, last year the 3 districts took in 527.9 million yen from military land use rent.


Afterwards, Governor Tamaki observed the progress of landfill work on the Camp Schwab coastline from the beachside on the opposite shore. To the press corps, the governor stated, “They’re using an enormous budget to build that base, while they destroy our living environment. Some say, ‘Approve the construction!’, because of unease over the Security Agreement.  But Okinawa already now holds over 70% of the US Military bases in all of Japan.”


The work the Government is pushing has already filled an area of about  41 hectares in the sea on the South side of Camp Schwab of the total of about 152 hectares planned. However, the Prefecture has refused permission for reinforcement work needed on the east side of the camp to shore up its weak seabed. So, the landfill work cannot get started there. A court battle is ongoing between the Prefecture and the Government which is trying to force the Prefecture’s approval.


Original Japanese article: Mainichi Shimbun, published Friday 19 May 2023 at 20:20.  Byline: Hiroshi Higa

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/1b5a867f478e1d980d5a16cc8e516fd5f53b88df


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. 


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. 


Any suggestion on improving the translation will be gratefully accepted. However, please leave political comments for another forum.


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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