Denny in the News

Splendor of Okinawa: Spider lily, roadside Uruma, 27jy23 On word of the approach of Typhoon 6, at 2 pm on 30 July, Okinawa Prefecture established its Disaster Headquarters and held its first meeting. Since Governor Denny Tamaki was away on business, Vice-Governor Takekuni Ikeda stood in for him at the meeting. He called for prefectural residents and tourists to get their outside affairs and shopping done on 30 July, before the high winds and strong rain. At the meeting, the director of the Okinawa Meteorological Observatory reported that, between 30 and 31 July, the typhoon would rapidly develop and was expected to reach its peak strength around the area of Okinawa Island. Vice-Governor Ikeda issued a warning that there was a fear that this typhoon's wind and rain may rapidly increase in strength. He stressed especially to tourists that they should not get near the sea, nor even go outside without good reason.  Moreover, the Vice-Governor  added that, since 19 July, ships have...

Splendor of Okinawa: Confederate Jasmine, roadside Uruma, 27jy23 On 28 July. During his visit to Hawaii, Governor Denny Tamaki inspected the US Marine Hawaiian base at Kaneohe Bay. The governor held talks with Colonel Jeremy W. Beavens USMC, Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Base Hawaii,  over accepting  US Marines to be relocated from Okinawa to his base, requesting that the transfer proceed smoothly. The colonel’s answer expressed  his agreement. He noted, “Our plan is to carry out the content of what was agreed in the 2+2 Meeting, which is considered as continuing to the present.” However he made no concrete statement on the number of troops he will be taking in. In the 2012 joint document, of Okinawa’s 19, 000 marines, 9,000 were to be distributed among Guam, Hawaii, and Australia. However, how many troops would be allocated to each base was left unclear. After the base inspection, Governor Tamaki asked Colonel Beaven about communities around the base and communication...

Splendor of Okinawa: Petunia, roadside Uruma, 27jy23 On 26 July, Governor Denny Tamaki attended the 2023 National Governors Conference, chaired by Governor Shinji Hirai of Tottori Prefecture and held in Yamanashi Prefecture. Governor Tamaki requested that the conference pressure the National Government for the introduction of a railroad line in Okinawa Prefecture. Chairman Hirai noted the governor’s request. He made clear that he would even specify the introduction of the prefecture’s rail line in the conference’s urgent request list, in relation to the future need for public transportation systems, in view of the Nation’s dwindling population. Governor Tamaki explained that, in the number of traffic jams nationally, Okinawa was a region of intensity. The governor further explained that the introduction of a railroad line was a long range wish. However, because of a difference in survey methods, the National Government and the Prefecture have not come to an agreement. Governor Tamaki n...

Splendor of Okinawa: Dragon Fruit cactus, roadside Uruma, 27jy23 Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member Gerard Dalbon (28) arrived in Okinawa and held a press conference at the Prefectural Office on 26 July. The DSA has influence  among US congressional groups in the left wing and progressive groups of the Democratic Party. According to Mr,Dalton, in alliance with the  Okinawa Prefecture Washington Office, the DSA is increasing the voices in the US Congress against the construction of the new Henoko base in Nago. He stated, “The Okinawan movement in opposition to bases is gaining international attention. DSA wants a continuation of activities to stop the construction of new bases in the future as well.” DSA has 233 chapters in all 50 of the US states. It has garnered 5 members in Congress, 50 in state legislatures, and 119 on city councils. Among its congressional supporters, it counts the powerful Democratic Party progressive Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AO...

Splendor of Okinawa: Clematis, roadside Uruma, 30jn23 5 years after taking office as governor in 2018, Governor Tamaki visited Nagasaki City. With hands clasped in prayer, the governor placed flowers at the Peace Prayer Museum and offered a moment of silence for the atomic bomb victims. He also viewed the Mother and Child Peace Statue by Okinawan sculptor Minoru Kinjo. Later he toured the Atomic Bomb Museum. With Museum Director Takuji Inoue as guide, the governor touched on the reality of radiation exposure. Governor Tamaki started his Talk Caravan in 2019 to ask the entire Nation to consider together the issues of the base construction in Okinawa and the US-Japan Security Treaty. Nagasaki was the 10th site targeted for his visit. He noted in the visitor’s log, “Let’s connect our thoughts on peace to our future!” Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki stated at the museum, “Whether the act was idiotic or not, a great many people had their lives stolen from them. Will their agony con...

Splendor of Okinawa: Marigold,  roadside Uruma, 30jn23 While visiting Nagasaki, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki responded to queries from the Nagasaki Shimbun. Okinawa bears an extraordinary burden of US Military bases as well as the ongoing opening of Japan Self Defense Force (SDF) bases in the Ryukyu Chain. However, Sasebo, which also hosts US and SDF military bases, touts its ‘Symbiotic coexistence with the bases’. But, Governor Tamaki has a different way of thinking on the US-Japan Security Treaty and such. He stressed, “If peace and a bountiful future are linked, efforts for dialogue need not be deemed lamentable.” There is a difference in perception over the US Military bases between Okinawa and Sasebo City in Nagasaki Prefecture. In Okinawa, training takes place adjacent to areas where civilians live. So, problems arise over crimes, accidents, and such. The governor stressed, “No matter what sort of living environment you’ve placed yourself in, you feel extremely ne...

Splendor of Okinawa: Treasure Flower, roadside Uruma, 30jn23 On 19 July, Okinawa Prefecture held its Talk Caravan in Nagasaki City to foster the opportunity to link getting a deeper understanding of the base issue to a  discussion among the people of our Nation on its solution. Governor Denny Tamaki urged, “The issue of the Japan-US Security Alliance is not a problem for Okinawa alone. We would like to have the people of our Nation, each and every one of us, consider the alliance as our own  matter and discuss it among ourselves.” Governor Tamaki explained the present situation of Okinawa’s burden of bases. At this very moment, 70% of land in our Nation allocated to the US Military is centered in Okinawa. This creates an impact on the people of his prefecture in various ways, such as US Military related crimes, accidents, noise pollution, and pollution of water and land resources. The governor strongly urged a solution to the base issues with a revision of the US-Japan Status ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Philippine ground orchid, roadside Uruma, 30jn23 Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki visited the city of Nagasaki on 19 July. After offering flowers at the Peace Memorial, he toured the Atomic Bomb Museum for the first time. He also held discussions with Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki and others. Governor Tamaki stated, “I have a full realization that, because Okinawa, Nagasaki, and Hiroshima suffered much the same sort of pain, proclaiming peace with a strong voice is our obligation.” This year Governor Tamaki gave his Peace Declaration on 23 June at the Memorial Mourning Ceremony for All the War Victims on Spirit Consolation Day, which mourns the victims of the Battle of Okinawa. In his address, he touched on the changes to 3 documents relative to the National Government’s US-Japan Security Treaty which specify the possession of  retaliatory capability, the capacity to attack enemy bases. The governor stated, “A terrible unease has been born among the peopl...

Splendor of Okinawa: Sweet mock Orange, roadside Uruma, 30jy23 On 21 July, a meeting of the 3rd  Advisory Board on US Military Base Problems was held to hear opinions from experts about subjects such as  diplomacy regarding US Military base issues and the newest developments in the US-Japan Security Alliance. The Prefecture made a report on its regional diplomacy, the Henoko new base construction issue, and its requests over Self Defense Force (SDF) deployments and use, in light of the revision of  3 documents in the US-Japan Security Treaty. Governor Denny Tamaki and the board members also exchanged opinions on Okinawa’s role in striving for the creation of trust and easing of tensions that have arisen in the Asia-Pacific region. In his opening statement, Governor Tamaki noted, “We’ve set to work on the Prefecture’s independent regional diplomacy. Okinawa would also like to play a role in contributing to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific Region by increasing its ac...

Splendor of Okinawa: Bleeding heart vine, roadside Uruma, 17jy23 A new base is being constructed at Henoko in Nago to accommodate the relocation of the US Military Futenma Airfield. Changes in the new base design require the use of rubble for its landfill in Oura Bay. That rubble is planned to be temporarily piled up at Henoko. Accordingly, on 20 July, the Okinawa Defense Bureau set about opening bids to solicit public works contractors. As it has doubts about the project, the Prefecture urged a halt to the process. Governor Denny Tamaki stated, “The details and the direction of the project ought to be thoroughly explained to the Prefecture. We have questioned the Defense Bureau, but haven’t gotten an adequate response. We must say that we have our doubts about this.” He added that he would again question the Defense Bureau and request a response. The deadline for proffering bids for the project  was the end of May. The contract process is expected to proceed within a few days. The...

Splendor of Okinawa: Habranthus Robustus, roadside Uruma, 19jy23 On 19 July, Governor Denny Tamaki held his Talk Caravan at the Atomic Bomb Museum Hall in Nagasaki Prefecture’s Nagasaki City. His purpose was to bring attention to such issues as the new base construction at Henoko in Nago to accommodate the relocation of the US Military Futenma Air Base and the present reality of Okinawa’s burden of US military bases. Governor Tamaki related Nagasaki, where the atomic bomb was dropped, to Okinawa, which experienced a furious land battle. He pointed out that both regions shared the suffering of enormous damage during World War ll in common. The governor stated, “We must work together to assure that  the experience of the ‘Black Rain’ of the atom bomb and the ‘Typhoon of Steel’ of shelling and bombing attacks never happen again.” He further stressed the necessity of fervent efforts to realize peace, with both regions working in tandem. Governor Tamaki gave the keynote speech. He point...