“We can’t accept that!” retorts Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki on a spot report that the US Military Futenma Airfield might not be returned to Japan. (17fe26)

Splendor of Okinawa: Golden Dewdrop, roadside Uruma, 14fe25


A spot report has noted a public document that reveals that the US Defense Department might not restore Futenma Airfield to Japan even if its replacement facility at Henoko in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, is completed.

　

On 16 February, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki responded, “We absolutely can’t accept such tales that pop up from the US side.”


The spot report noted that the US Defense Department sees the insufficient length of the replacement facility’s runway as an issue.


It was revealed that a documented report was submitted to the US Government General Accounting Office (GAO) that noted that the Futenma Airfield would not be returned to Japan until it is suitably replaced.


The governor retorted, “Among the facilities of Futenma Airfield, its use of mid-air refueling aircraft has already been relocated to Mikuni Base. Moreover, it has been decided that facilities for accepting aircraft in emergencies will be moved to Tsuiki Base in Fukuoka Prefecture and Nyutabaru Base in Miyazaki Prefecture. So, I wonder whether the tale of Futenma not being reverted is  mistaken in reality?”


Original Japanese article: Ryukyu Shimpo, published Monday 16 February 2026 at 11:21.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/c540e577927917c314d0112953c6740a186ad573


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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