Essential elements of the opposition party’s objections to the Ishigaki Port designation plan as ‘leading to military use’. (29mr24)

Splendor of Okinawa: Monks Cress, roadside Uruma, 14mr24

　

With the Government’s focus on a crisis, the Self Defense Force (SDF) and others  are strengthening the capacity of the  infrastructure so it can be used smoothly. A part of that is a plan firming up to designate Ishigaki Port as a ‘decisively essential (certainly to be used) port and harbor location’.


In response, on 28 March, members of the Opposition Party Coordinating Committee (chair: Nobuo Nagahama, 7 members) of the Ishigaki City Assembly held a press conference at City Hall to object, noting, “In fact, our Ishigaki Port is being transformed into a joint use military-civilian facility. Isn’t that going to lead to military use?”

　

In the group’s published declaration, there is apprehension that, according to the ‘decisively essential port’ designation, SDF and US Military exercises can be carried out at Ishigaki Port.


Assemblyman Nagahama was critical, noting, “We mustn’t stop at simply accepting  an explanation convenient for the Government!” He added that this is related also to the Prefecture‘s airport and harbor management of  the New Ishigaki Airport, and more. So, Governor Denny Tamaki has expressed his  stance of disagreement with the designation.


The opposition group’s declaration emphasized, “Pointing out the Prefecture’s prudent stance  quite understandable. So, the statement by Mayor Yoshitaka  Nakayama, who has criticized the Prefecture, is totally off the mark.” The assemblyman further expressed his view that Mayor Nakayama cannot decide on his own even the new airport’s runway length.


Assemblyman Nagahama further pointed out his scepticism over Mayor Nakayama’s stance on going forward with the essential port designation, “Mayor Nakayama is stumbling into this designation. A sincere response may be requested in the future. If so, I’d like to ask if the mayor will take responsibility for where this goes in the future.”


Assemblyman Yoshiyuki Toita expressed his understanding that the designation was a huge problem for SDF preparedness and so forth. However, he denounced the mayor, stating, “Even in the mayoral election, without any reason at all, without even a scrap of documentation for his judgment, is our mayor just going ahead with this designation on his own? I wonder if he even realizes the future, that he’s letting our Ishigaki Port become a militarized port!”


Assembly member Natsuyo Omichi argued, “Mayor Nakayama absolutely pays no heed to the tiny voices of our citizens. He listens only to the grand voices of the nation’s big shots. Without so much as an explanation from him to us, the citizens, bit by bit militarization marches in.”


Assembly member Michiko Inoue stressed her sentiments, “We will not forgive our mayor, who ought to be protecting the lives of our citizens, for giving the OK to this designation.


Assemblyman Eishin Tamori brought up  the fact that supporters did a survey, targeting the citizens of  Hateruma Island, asking for the pros and cons of the joint civilian-military use of their airport,. He pled that the opinions of the people of Ishigaki ought also be confirmed.


Assemblyman Hidetoshi Uchihara stated, “Besides just thinking of the future of our Ishigaki Island, we should also be asking more. Should an expansion of armaments proceed? Should we and our neighboring countries mutually prosper? Which is correct?”



Original Japanese article: Yaeyama Daily Report Friday 29 March 2024 at 04:00.    https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/fda7d5613bc4d6bfae7aa7bf2c7639017d6dd70c


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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