The Prefectural People’s Mass Rally protest against sexual assault crimes by US troops involving young women, starts today (22 December) at 2 p.m. in Okinawa City, with live music at the alternate venues in Ishigaki and Nago. (22de24)

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: 

  1. An apology and reparations to the victim.

  2.  Full measures to prevent another such rape

  3.  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, also in Tokyo, citizens in agreement with the purpose of the mass rally will hold a protest assembly at the JR Shinjuku South Exit. 


Governor Denny Tamaki also intends to participate in the rally.


The executive committee has called on participants to wear a yellow mimosa, associated as a symbol of the protection of women’s rights, to the rally. In addition, since large crowds and traffic jams can be expected, participants are advised to use public transport or auto ride-sharing.


The on-line live music can be accessed at: 

https://www.youtube.com/live/oI9n2AnSYOM 


Original Japanese article: Okinawa Times, published Sunday 22 December 2024 at 09:07. Byline: Akinori Ono.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/d6443b6b86b53dcaf70a650f87b5c177d08cf11f


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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