Denny in the News

Splendor of Okinawa: Patrinia Sibirica, roadside Futenma, 23de24 The US Military Kadena Airfield in Ginowan is to be relocated to Henoko in Nago. On the afternoon of 28 December, the Defense Ministry got to work on reinforcement of the weak seabed in an area of Oura Bay for the project. Since the depth of the reinforcement work is without parallel in Japan, the work is expected to be an exceptionally tough task. On that day in the offing of Henoko, the task of sand spreading on the seabed got underway, in order to shore up the weak seabed. A ship, called the Ptolemy, has been confirmed as sighted dumping sand into the sea. Later, about 71,000 metal pipes will be driven into the seabed and their insides packed with sand as so-called sand pilings. 　 The deepest area of the weak seabed lies about 90 meters below the surface. However, the plan is for reinforcement construction only down to 70 meters. The Okinawa Defense Bureau of the Defense Ministry explained shoring up the seabed only do...

Splendor of Okinawa: Leopard Plant, roadside Futenma, 23de24 On 28 December, in response to the assembled news companies in Naha for their coverage, Governor Denny Tamaki spoke about the newly begun work of “sand spreading” to cover the floor of the sea, as a part of the Okinawa Defense Bureau’s construction to reinforce the weak seabed in a sea area of Henoko in Nago.  　 The governor quipped, “I really don’t understand the rush in the work of sand spreading. But, we ourselves will have to carefully check the situation, based on public waters landfill legislation. Hereafter, if the situation rises to the level of a problem with the weak seabed, we cannot but come up with some way or other to deal with it.”  The governor added that he had asked the Okinawa Defense Bureau, on 27 December, if it had confirmed whether the sand spreading work would have any effect on the planned coral replanting, but the bureau responded, “None whatsoever.” The governor also claimed that he had req...

Splendor of Okinawa: Bleeding Heart Vine, roadside Futenma, 23de24 In line with the sudden death of the city’s Mayor Sachio Kuwae, Okinawa City’s mayoral election will take place on 26 January 2025.  So, on 28 December, Prefectural Assembly Representative for the Prefectural Chapter of  the Constitutional Democratic Party Mio Nakamura (52)  held a conference in the city to formally announce her candidacy for the vacant post. She will be running as an independent. But for assistance on policy and such, she will rely on the government parties with which she is in agreement. Ms. Nakamura was requested to run as a candidate by a candidate selection committee, made up of middle of the road and reform-minded opposition party City Assembly members. On 27 December, she revealed her intention to resign her role as a representative of the Constitutional Democratic Party.  Candidate Nakamura stated, “In coordination with the Prefectural Administration, I declare that we should ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Gomphrena Serrata, roadside Futenma, 23de24 The relocation of the US Military Futenma Airfield in Ginowan to Henoko in Nago has long been planned. On 27 December, the Defense Ministry announced that,  on 28 December, it would set to work on reinforcing the weak seabed in Oura Bay. Moreover, it notified Okinawa Prefecture. Since the Government had exercised proxy to approve design changes for the seabed reinforcement on 28 December 2023, preparations have been underway. According to the Okinawa Defense Bureau of the ministry, the work will begin  in the targeted  sea area using a ship named Ptolemy to spread sand to level the seabed. After that, about 71,000 steel pipes will be driven into the seabed and sand will be poured into them, as a method of reinforcing the seabed with such pilings. The weak seabed extends to about 90 meters down from the surface of the sea at its deepest. However, the Government intends to reinforce only down to about 70 meter...

Splendor of Okinawa: Dwarf Morning Glory, roadside Futenma, 23 de24. On 26 December, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki replied to queries in an interview with all the media companies. On the continuing revelations of sexual assault crimes within the prefecture by US troops, the governor stated, “The main cause of the continuing crimes and accidents by The US Military is the root problem of our excessive burden of bases and the US-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).” He has requested the speedy reduction of the base burden. The governor also spoke on the relocation of the US Military Kadena Airfield in Ginowan to Henoko in Nago, noting the expected lengthy duration of its difficult construction work, “This relocation has nothing to do with ridding ourselves, without a day’s delay, from the dangers of Futenma!”  The governor has requested repeatedly that the relocation be scrapped. Giving more force to his tone, he emphasized, “To you, the US Military and both the US and ...

  Splendor of Okinawa: Treasure Flower, roadside Futenma, 23de24 On 23 December, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki responded to press squad coverage at the Prefectural Office in Naha on the 21 December attempted robbery of a taxi within The city of Naha. A male US Marine corporal stationed at camp Schwab has been  arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery.  On the incident, the governor stated, “This sort of fiendish crime causes great unease among our prefecture’s people. This stuff just shouldn’t happen!” The governor then opined, “As an organization, isn’t its structural management too lax? Aren’t the soldiers informed individually that if they should be involved in a crime, they’ll suffer severe punishment?” The governor thus brought up his suspicions over the U S Military’s organizational response. The governor claims that the Prefecture has protested to the US Military and requested strict discipline. Moreover, the Prefecture plans once again hereafter to re...

Splendor of Okinawa: Silver Cockscomb, roadside Futenma, 23de24 Within Okinawa Prefecture, sexual assault crimes by US servicemen have been continuing. In protest, a citizens’ rally was held on 22 December in Okinawa City.  Governor Denny Tamaki, who was in attendance, stated in his address, “We are asking, not that the individuals take sole responsibility, but that the US Military itself also accept structural responsibility.” After the rally, Governor Tamaki touched on the US Military‘s responsibility, as pointed out in his own address, stating, “We have to get around to thinking, ‘Really, please go home to your country, and all of your organizations with you!’” At the rally, a declaration was adopted, requesting of both the US and Japanese Governments that victims receive compensation,  and further that, following the occurrence of such crimes, reports and such be submitted to the Prefecture.  Original Japanese article: Yomiuri Shimbun, published Monday 23 December 20...

Splendor of Okinawa: Chrysanthemum, roadside Futenma 23de24 The Prefectural People’s Mass Rally to protest the sexual assault of a young girl by a US serviceman was held on 22 December. At the rally, about 2,500 protesters raised their voices in anger. Okinawa University third year student Shizuki Nakazuka declared, “This isn’t just a matter to be considered in the context of being for or against the bases. What should catch everyone’s eye is that, by this sexual assault, a person’s human rights have been trampled on!” At the mass rally held on 22 December, over 2,500 participants protested the sexual assault against a young girl by a US serviceman in December of last year. Governor Denny Tamaki took the podium at the rally  along with regular university students.  For a full half year after the incident had occurred, no information about the situation was related to the Prefecture, while the bases stood as a menace to the daily lives of the prefecture’s people, leading voices...

Splendor of Okinawa: Crepidiastrum Denticulatum, roadside Futenma, 16de24. Sexual assault crimes by US troops have been continually exposed in Okinawa Prefecture. In protest of these crimes, the Prefectural People’s Mass Rally was held on 22 December in Okinawa City to request the prevention of any recurrence. Governor Denny Tamaki pleaded, “To you, the US Military, we strongly request discipline. We want to request, not just individual responsibility, but your structural military responsibility!” At the mass rally, a motion was passed to request the speedy release of information, with apologies and reparations to the victims, as well as a drastic revision of the US-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). According to the report of the executive committee, over 2,500 participants attended. At the mass rally, Governor Tamaki stated, “A great many of our prefecture’s people have been made to live together in the midst of the anxiety of these bases. I feel keenly in my heart that we must...

Splendor of Okinawa: Goldshower, roadside Futenma, 16de24. Last December a young girl was sexually assaulted by a US serviceman. In protest, the Prefectural People’s Mass Rally began from 2 p.m. on 22 December in the Great Hall of the Okinawa City Citizens Community Center. Central on the executive committee sponsoring the rally is the Prefectural Women’s Group Coordinating Committee, along with other women’s groups. In response to the sexual assault, in July of this year, the Prefectural Assembly passed a unanimous resolution of opinion, requesting such measures as:  An apology and reparations to the victim.  Full measures to prevent another such rape  The realization of a drastic revision of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between the US and Japan. Alternate venues have also been set up at the Ishigaki City Health and Welfare Center,  at JTA Dome on Miyako Island, and at the Nago City Industrial Support Center, where live music will be performed. Moreover, al...

Splendor of Okinawa: Neverdie, roadside Futenma, 16de24 Okinawa Prefecture’s setting up of a resident office in Washington DC has become a serial problem. So, the Prefectural Assembly has established a special investigative committee called the Assembly Investigative Commission. In response, on 20 December, Governor Denny Tamaki stated that he would “take their effort seriously.” Moreover, if he is requested to appear before the commission, he claimed, “I will judge on that appropriately, when we’ve got the relevant laws clarified.” The Prefectural Assembly has stalled again and again over the administration’s responses regarding the Washington Office. Explaining his position, Governor Tamaki stated, “I have to reflect on the confusion that has arisen at the Assembly.” He further stressed, “We plan to regain trust in public service. We further want, as best as possible, to explain the situation in a manner as simply as possible for our prefecture’s people to understand. In April of 201...