Governor Tamaki speaks on Henoko as a “rallying point” in the gubernatorial election. (19fe26)

Splendor of Okinawa: Hibiscus, roadside Uruma, 14fe25.


On 18 February during representatives’ questioning at the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly, Governor Denny Tamaki was queried by Assemblyman Harutoshi Shinzato (of the unaffiliated group of the Okinawa Liberal Democratic Party) about whether  the relocation of the US Military Futenma Airfield to Henoko in Nago would be an issue in the coming gubernatorial election.


The governor showed his recognition that it would be, noting, “It will probably be a major rallying point.”


In a lawsuit over the use of proxy to execute the Henoko relocation, the Supreme Court confirmed a ruling that recognized the National Government’s assertion of the right to use it. 


Referring to that ruling, Assemblyman Shinzato asked, “What sort of response will your administration offer hereafter? How will you fully accept that highest judgment on the law? In addition the assemblyman pressed on asking whether the governor would tout a public promise that he could realize the “cancellation of Henoko”? 


Governor Tamaki responded, “With the construction already underway, we will inspect whether any request for change is based on the law.” He argued, “As governor, I will respond according to the law. But as a politician, I will tout my ideals of wanting to shut it down.”


Thus, he showed his stance that his basic points are that Futenma Airfield be closed with its land reverted to Japan and that he opposes the Henoko relocation. 


When questioned on whether the economy and Security Alliance would also be rallying points, the governor replied, “Approval or opposition to Henoko is the issue. We will deal earnestly with our economy as an economy.”


Thus the governor expressed his thinking that the issues be debated separately.



Original Japanese article: Okinawa Yaeyama Daily News, published Thursday 19 February 2026 at 04:00.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/3f280521697d2dc1ce72669a47bfc0d452617e00


Denny in the News: Denny Tamaki is the governor of Okinawa Prefecture in Japan. Although 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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