Okinawa’s governor requests a speedy reduction of its excessive burden of bases in view of crimes by US troops. (27de24)

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 Japanese Governments, we want to plead fervently for a democratic situation where we can plan a solution to these problems through dialogue.


Original Japanese article: Kyodo Communications, published Thursday 26 December 2024 at 18:11

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/b1f7c81ee5d0ca813a8771ed49f666de7911b165


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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