On the capsize of protest boats in the Henoko offing, Okinawa’s Governor Tamaki laments, “It breaks my heart!”, adding, “The major premise of any protest is to stay safe and secure.” (18mr26)

Splendor of Okinawa: Treasure Flower, roadside Uruma, 15mr26

2 protest boats capsized in the offing at the site in Nago’s Henoko for the relocation of Ginowan’s US Military Futenma Airfield, both in Okinawa Prefecture. In the accident, high school students from the Kyoto area and others were thrown into the sea.


On 16 March Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki replied on record to the press squad about the accident, confirming that 2 were dead. The governor stated, “This ended in a truly tragic accident. It breaks my heart.”


Regarding protests at the Henoko relocation site, in June of 2024, along a national highway at Awa in Nago, during a “cow (slow) walk” protest, a male security guard was hit by a truck and killed in an accident that occurred while he was trying to control a female protester in her 70s.


But in this protest accident, the details are as yet unclear. So, Governor Tamaki, asked by reporters about the continuing series of accidents, noted, “Since the circumstances have yet to be confirmed, I’ll withhold comment.” 


However, he revealed his thoughts, adding, “The major premise of any protest is that it be carried out safely and securely.”


Original Japanese article: Sankei Shimbun, published Monday 16 March 2026 at 14:32.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/0e97335f589c89da0a7d6fbf66eacdfcc6fdf6a4


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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