US warship makes port of call at Ishigaki Island for the third straight year, along with an SDF vessel, heedless of the Prefecture’s request for self restraint. (27fe25).

Splendor of Okinawa: Geranium, roadside Uruma 14mr24.


On 26 February, the US Navy amphibious transport dock San Diego entered Ishigaki Port in Ishigaki City in Okinawa Prefecture. This is the third year in a row that a US warship has entered this port, and the fourth time since Okinawa’s reversion to Japan.


Moreover, the Maritime Self Defense Force (SDF) training support ship Kurobe entered the port on the same day. This was the first time since 2009 that both a US and a SDF vessel have called on this port at the same time, as confirmed by records.


On the same day, the Prefecture again requested that US warships exercise self restraint on their ports of call, noting, “Except in times of emergency, civilian ports ought not be utilized.” However, paying no heed to such requests has become the pattern.


According to the city, which manages the port, the purpose of the US vessel’s arrival was a “routine port call”, while the SDF vessel claimed theirs was “crew relaxation and water resupply”. Both vessels plan to be in port until 28 February. In addition on that day, a US Military transport plane landed at the New Ishigaki Airport.


With both the US and Japan focused on the “Taiwan crisis”, they have agreed to broad usage of civilian harbors, ports and airports. One element of that situation seems to be a continuing series of military activities. In September of 2023, a US Military minesweeper and in March of 2024, an Aegis missile ship made ports of call at Ishigaki Port. Then in May of 2024, the US Ambassador visited both Ishigaki and Yonaguni Islands using a U.S. Military plane.


Speaking on the record, Governor Denny Tamaki stated, “It’s inappropriate to cause unease in the daily lives of our people in the use of our ports and harbors.” 

　

Original Japanese article: Asahi Shimbun, published Wednesday 26 February 2025 at 17:06. Byline: Satsuki Tanahashi

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/ed4f4067a8bb9d87fe3acd5aaba7f10ef7023aad



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 the 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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