Denny in the News

Splendor of Okinawa: Tropical Milkweed, roadside Uruma, 26mr26 Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki (66) will end his term with the gubernatorial election. Ballots will be opened on 13 September. On 30 March, he confirmed that he is arranging to formally declare his entry into the race at the end of April. The governor answered press corps queries on record about his decision at the Prefectural Office. He noted that he had intended to make the formal declaration of his candidacy on 28 March. However, he delayed it due to the loss of 2 lives in the accident involving the capsize of 2 boats in the offing of Henoko in Nago, where construction is proceeding for the relocation there of the US Futenma Airfield from Ginowan, both within Okinawa Prefecture. Former Naha Deputy Mayor Genta Koja has already formally declared his candidacy. He expects the assistance of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) due to his acquiescence in the Henoko relocation. With Governor Tamaki raising his banner i...

Splendor of Okinawa: Monks Cress, roadside Uruma, 29mr26 In an on record response to press queries at the Prefectural Office on 30 March, Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki stated that he is considering formally declaring his candidacy for the September Okinawa Prefecture Gubernatorial Election at the end of April, just before the beginning of the long series of holidays called Golden Week (GW). Governor Tamaki noted, “I’ll formally declare my run just before GW, which starts on 29 April. When things are calming down with the holidays looming, I’ll bring it up with my supporters when we do the Prefectural Reports Meeting.” The Prefectural Reports Meeting and the governor’s formal declaration of candidacy were originally scheduled for 28 March. However both were put off due to the accident involving the capsize of 2 small boats in the offing at Henoko in Nago. The Okinawa Prefecture Gubernatorial Election will be announced on 27 August, with ballots to be counted on 13 September. Original Ja...

Splendor of Okinawa: Golden Dewdrop, roadside Uruma, 29mr26. On 27 March, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki held his regular press conference.  Two boats, ordinarily engaged as protest boats in opposing the relocation of the US Military Futenma Airfield in Ginowan to Henoko in Nago (both in Okinawa Prefecture), capsized in the offing off  Henoko. In answering a query from our Sankei Shimbun reporter, he showed his persective, noting, “Just writing them off as so-called protest boats doesn’t mean they had safety issues. They were just boats which were also used in protests. They were boats used suitably for their purpose.” The Heiwa Maru, one of the 2 boats,  had carried the second year female student (17) from Doshisha International University High School who was killed. It has been confirmed that a banner reading, “Let’s go for it with Governor Denny”, was raised on it during a maritime protest action against the Henoko relocation back in December of 2023. At the ...

  Splendor of Okinawa: Slender Dwarf Morning Glory, Ricom Mall, 26mr26  In the offing of Henoko in Okinawa, two small boats overturned. As a result of the accident, two died, including a student from Doshisha University High School in Kyoto Prefecture. Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki brought up the subject at his regular press conference on 27 March, assuring, “From the perspective of the Prefecture, we’re proceeding, in tandem with pertinent organizations, to reassess our preparedness to receive and manage the safety of such school excursions.”  The governor added that, at the 30 March conference on tourism and other businesses, he would consider accident countermeasures with them. The 11th District Coast Guard Headquarters is also investigating the citizens group that managed the boats and others on suspicion of professional negligence causing death or injury and such. 　 At the press conference, Governor Tamaki explained that students on school excursions are w...

Splendor of Okinawa: Egyptian Starcluster, roadside Uruma, 22mr26 On 23 March, former Naha Deputy Mayor Genta Koja (42) held a press conference at the Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Hall in Naha. There he announced formally that he will be a candidate in the fall Okinawa Prefectural Gubernatorial Election. Candidate Koja claimed,  “We will advance Okinawa to its next stage. With our stance of taking responsibility, we will create our Island’s tomorrow!” However, the current Governor Denny Tamaki (66) is also expected to become a candidate as well, eying a third term in the Gubernatorial Election.  　 Original Japanese article: Ryukyu Shimpo, published Monday 23 March 2026 at 15:11. https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/fb4dac580b14f163f7888162768d6668ea82e611 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 ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Feverfew, roadside Uruma, 15mr26 Governor Denny Tamaki had scheduled the formal declaration of his candidacy in the fall gubernatorial election in conjunction with the Prefectural Administration Report Meeting on 28 March.  However, due to the death of two in the capsize of boats in the offing of Henoko, the governor has decided to put off his declaration. In response to press queries, the governor stated, “In consideration of the tragic accident at Henoko, it became evident that we should wonder: wouldn’t it be best to delay the timing of the Prefectural Administration Report Meeting?”  Queried on the influence of that decision on his candidacy declaration, the governor asserted, “Right now, I’m in the position of performing my duties as the current governor. So, of course, my mind is on continuing to do my best for the remainder of my term. Thus, I think there will be no changes in terms of that situation.” Regarding the Prefectural Gubernatorial Electio...

Splendor of Okinawa: Pink Knotweed, roadside Uruma, 22mr 26. On 23 March, the Okinawa Prefecture Election Management Commission, preparing for the end of the governor’s term, set 27 August as the date for the declaration of the gubernatorial election, with ballots to be opened on 13 September. On 23 March also, former Naha Mayor Genta Koja formally confirmed his registered candidacy for the gubernatorial race. On the topic of the relocation of the US Futenma Airfield in Ginowan to Henoko in Nago, he affirmed, “I’ll give my approval”. With Candidate Koja looking forward to support from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), this looks to be in all probability a real one-on-one battle with Governor Denny Tamaki, who opposes the relocation. Candidate Koja held a press conference that day in Naha. 　There he pointed out that the court struggle between the Prefecture and the National Government over the relocation was totally finished, and the construction landfill at Henoko is in progress. He ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Sweet William, roadside Uruma 15mr26 On 23 March, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki, facing the autumn gubernatorial election, decided to put off the Prefectural Government Report Meeting along with his own formal declaration of candidacy in the election, stating, “In view of the tragic accident at Henoko and out of consideration for the victims, we’ve put those matters off.” 　 The governor added, in response to queries from the press corps, that he had planned to hold a press conference on 28 March at the Prefectural Government Report Meeting and to formally declare his candidacy there. However, on news of the accident of the  two small boats being capsized in the Henoko offing, he will also put off that event. Thus the Prefectural Government Report Meeting will be put off as well, and a new date is being arranged. Governor Tamaki clarified his judgment, questioning, “In the midst of this heartbreaking situation, isn’t it best to avoid such events that ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Annual Flox, roadside Uruma, 22no26. The end of term Okinawa Gubernatorial Election  will be in September. But, it was learned on 21 March, that Governor Denny Tamaki has firmed up his intention of putting off the declaration of his candidacy for reelection. This measure was in response to the accident in the offing of Henoko in Nago, in which two people died in the capsize of a pair of boats Until that accident, the governor’s declaration had been arranged for 28 March. Its new date will be determined later. This has been confirmed by the governor’s intimates. Helicopter Base Opposition Council, the group that operated the boats, is a member of the forces of All Okinawa, which support Governor Tamaki. The 11th District Coast Guard Headquarters in Naha is investigating the premises of the Council’s business office, in its process of determining the cause of the accident.  Governor Tamaki’s intimates have said, “We’ve judged that it would be better to put o...

Splendor of Okinawa: Ipomoea, roadside Uruma. 15mr26 On 21 March, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki (66) decided to put off, until after 28 March, the formal declaration of his run for a third term in the end of term September gubernatorial election.  Two boats had capsized in the offing of Henoko in Nago, where construction work is in progress for the relocation of Ginowan’s US Futenma Airfield, both in Okinawa Prefecture. Moreover, in the accident, two were killed, including a high school girl on a study trip. The Tamaki group decided, “Out of concern for the feelings of those related to the school and their children, an announcement at this time would be inappropriate.” Governor Tamaki has the support of the forces of All Okinawa, which is against the Henoko relocation. A new date for the formal announcement will be considered later. Original Japanese article: JIJI.COM , published Saturday 21 March 2026 at 22:09.  https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/56185d91c92a9535acb...

Splendor of Okinawa: Peruvian Zinnia, roadside Uruma, 15mr26. Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki (66), facing the end of his tenure in September, has firmed up his intention to run with his eye on a third term. Thus, he will hold a press conference on 28 March in Naha to formally declare his direction. The governor will run on the speedy reversion of the US Military Futenma Airfield (in Ginowan) and the prevention of its relocation to Henoko in Nago City, both sites in Okinawa Prefecture. A bevy of related sources have confirmed those facts as of 17 March. Governor Tamaki ran as a candidate in the 2018 gubernatorial election as successor to the prior Governor Takeshi Onaga, who had died in office. Governor Tamaki won the election and was re-elected in 2022. This time as well, Governor Tamaki will receive the support of the forces of All Okinawa, who raise the flag of opposition to the Henoko relocation. However those very forces against relocation suffered defeat in this January’...

Splendor of Okinawa: Violet. roadside Uruma. 15mr26 The Heiwa Maru (Peace Vessel)  and the Fukutsu (Indomitable), 2 boats carrying a high school peace studies group, capsized in the offing off Henoko. On news of the accident, Governor Denny Tamaki, just after 11:40 on the morning of 16 March in Nakagusuku (trans. note: the governor’s home), stated, “I want to gather information. So, I’m hustling back to the Prefectural Office. I want to hold an emergency conference, where we can decide how to respond from here on.” (Correction) In the first edition of this article, the line, “The boats were carrying resident protesters” appeared. However, at the time of the accident, the boats were actually carrying a peace studies group. Our account has been updated as of 20 past noon on 17 March 2026. Original Japanese article: Okinawa Times. published Monday 16 March 2026 at 12:21. https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/e4c14c1eb996dc779efe06cf1adfee2eb0abb352 Denny in the News: Denny Tamaki is the...

Splendor of Okinawa: Violet, roadside Uruma, 15mr26. Two boats carrying  high school students on a Peace Studies  trip capsized in the offing of Henoko in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, resulting in two deaths. On report of the deaths, in response to queries from the press squad at the Prefectural Office on the afternoon of 16 March, the governor lamented, “It was a truly tragic accident. My heart is filled with painful thoughts.” In reference to protest activities over the new base construction at Henoko, a June 2024 accident came up. It was nearby at Awa Wharf, in the same city, where rubble for the base landfill is loaded on trucks. The accident occurred when a female protester and a male security guard got in a tussle and the guard was hit and killed by a dump truck.  Governor Tamaki advised, “The prime tenet of peace studies is that activities be carried out safely and securely.”  He added that he would guess that the situation possibly occurred due to unexpected wea...