Okinawa requests the Defense Bureau to halt awarding of bids on preliminary placement of rubble for dumping at Henoko. (22jy23)


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 Defense Bureau’s home page will publicly announce the bid awards and such of the successful contractors within one month of  the execution of the contracts.


The plan is to have a total of 1 million cubic meters of rubble piled up at Henoko for the landfill area. The duration of the project will be until the end of September next year.


At a press conference on 16 June, Minister of Defense Yasukazu Hamada acknowledged, “We’re going to prepare the rubble necessary for the landfill construction in Oura Bay.” He stood by his position, “This has been made possible because recognition of the current landfill has been dealt with.”

　、

On 28 June, the Prefecture affirmed its stance, “Prefectural governors have their recognized rights. Our doubts have been exceedingly grave since the very first submission of this application.”


The Prefecture submitted its documents of inquiry, and, on 12 July, the Defense Bureau responded. However, the Prefecture deemed the information in the response insufficient and has made clear that it is planning to inquire again.


Original Japanese article: Ryukyu Shimpo, published Friday 21 July 2023 at 14:24. Byline: Yugo Okita.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/0858322144032fee8ce3d69013438783ef91a3bf


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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