The rewriting of Commander Ushijima’s “death poem” was “contrary to his intentions” states Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki, stunned by the changes made by the Japanese Imperial Headquarters. (27jn25)

Splendor of Okinawa: Greater Periwinkle, roadside Uruma,1jn25


Lieutenant General Mitsuru Ishijima was the commander of the Japanese 32nd Army during the Okinawa Campaign of World War Two. Before he committed seppuku, he sent his “death poem” to the Japanese Army Central Command, which altered its wording, thus causing problems.


On 24 June, Governor Denny Tamaki expressed his recognition of the problem, noting, “The changes to the poem were contrary to the  general’s intention in a form that was absolutely different from his thinking. Doing such is unacceptable. It can only link his very existence as the commander to a dishonor."


As to the rewriting that clearly took place, the governor expressed his shock, “We have to accept the actual fact that the rewriting was done to preserve the establishment.” The governor added his criticism, “We have no choice but to determine harshly that the wording change, under the guise of protecting our national state, which by the deeds of the Imperial Headquarters,  cornered our Nation’s people into becoming victims of war.” 


Original Japanese article: Okinawa Times, Friday 27 June 2025 at 05:03. Byline: Ittetsu Mekari 

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/b838d009d0d205eb69806e71e7f66562339ffbe9


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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