Defense Minister visits both Miyako and Ishigaki Islands for the first time to seek understanding of the reinforcement of the Ryukyu Island Chain. (25se23)


Splendor of Okinawa: Megaskepasma erythrochlamys, roadside Uruma, 31au23


On 24 September, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara visited Miyako and Ishigaki Islands in Okinawa Prefecture to inspect Ground Self Defense Force (SDF) facilities on the two islands. 


The minister also held discussions with local mayors to request their understanding of the reinforcement of defense capacity in the Ryukyu island Chain.


Since taking office, it was the Defense Minister’s first visit to Okinawa. He had sought a meeting with Governor Denny Tamaki, but it was not realized.

　

Minister Kihara held talks with Miyako Island City Mayor Kazuyuki Zakimi to show the Ministry ‘s gratitude for his cooperation in the operation of the SDF base there, “We would like to continue to reinforce our defense capabilities in the Ryukyu Island Chain.”


Mayor Zakimi pleaded, “The international situation in our region is extremely perilous. The full protection of our city’s people and their property is an important challenge.”


Minister Kihara briefed the troops at Miyako Island Base, stating, “The burden of your duties has become increasingly heavy!”

　

During his inspection of the Ishigaki Island Base, the minister also conferred with Ishigaki City Mayor Yoshitaka Nakayama.


Original Japanese article: Kyodo Communications, published Sunday 24 September 2023 at 16:58.  https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/fe9d3a558f782aa6adbbfc9ec1df9af8c04ed893


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 my 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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