To Prefectural Assembly‘s assertion, “Motobu Port protests are still dangerous!”, governor replies, “Investigation still pending” (21jy24)

Splendor of Okinawa: Crepe Ginger, Gushikawa RC Church,  21jy24.


A fatal accident occurred at a protest action in the vicinity of Awa Pier in Nago, related to the relocation of the US Military Futenma Airfield to Henoko in that city.


In reference to the accident, during general questioning at the 16 July Prefectural Assembly session, voices were raised pointing out that dangerous protest activities were still being carried out at Motobu Port in Shiogawa Town.


Governor Denny Tamaki replied, “The transport of sand in and out of both Awa Pier and Shiogawa Port has currently been halted. We’re awaiting a report from the ongoing investigation and the confirmation of its results.”


The loading of sand to be used in the landfill for the Henoko relocation was being carried out at Motobu Port, but opponents of the action have continued their protest activities.


In February of last year, following actions that had obstructed dump trucks and such in their comings and goings, the Prefecture invoked the Prefectural Port and Bay Law which prohibits such actions.


Moreover, a billboard was installed, warning that the imposition of administrative fines was possible. However, in May of this year, the billboard was removed in the face of protests from those opposed to it.


At the Prefectural Assembly, Liberal Democratic Party member Shinobu Higa asked why the billboard was removed. He received an explanation from Director of Civil engineering and Construction Tomohiro Maekawa, “We had a meeting with those involved in the protest activities. In it, they confirmed that their protest activities would be carried out safely.”


According to Mr. Higa, on the day of 26 June, port and bay business people, who use Motobu Port, submitted a written request to Governor Tamaki asking that, as a  safety measure, the billboard warning  be again put in place and  guidance be given to protestors not to hinder passing trucks.


Mr. Higa claimed concern, noting, “The situation in Shiogawa Town is even more hideous than at Awa. There will be another accident unless preventative measures are immediately carried out!”


Regarding the accident in the Awa Pier area, Mr. Higa expressed his hope that footage from the surveillance camera at the accident site be made public, as proposed by relatives of the deceased.



Original Japanese article: Yaeyama Daily News, published Wednesday 17 July 2024 at 04:00.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/3922e8731ab9fe2a426472cc4da6772eaaa1c464



Denny in the News:

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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