Denny in the News

Splendor of Okinawa: Sweet William, roadside Uruma, 25ap26 Governor Denny Tamaki (66) held a press conference at the Novotel Okinawa Naha in Naha City to declare his candidacy for a third term in the Okinawa Prefecture Gubernatorial Election, with ballots to be opened on 13 September. Although running as an independent, the governor will receive the support of the forces of All Okinawa, who oppose the new US base construction at Henoko in Nago. Governor Tamaki stated, “Leaving not a single one behind, we’ll struggle together to attain the reality of a society, peaceful and gentle in our Okinawan way, a bountiful Okinawa to be our pride.” Also formally declared as a candidate in the gubernatorial election race is former Naha Deputy Mayor Genta Koja (42). 　  Original Japanese article: Ryukyu Shimpo, published Saturday 25 April 2026 at 16:21. https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/51a68deea989425f5a1de07cdc816bee953c5f17 Denny in the News: Denny Tamaki is the governor of Okinawa Prefectu...

Splendor of Okinawa: Cattleya Orchid, roadside Uruma, 26ap26 The Okinawa Prefecture Gubernatorial Election is slated for this September. Incumbent Governor Denny Tamaki, eying a third term, has formally declared his intention to enter the field. On 25 April in Naha, Governor Tamaki, eying a third term, firmly clarified his intention to run in the gubernatorial election, to be promulgated on 27 August, with ballots to be opened on 13 September. Current Governor Tamaki (66) stated, “I’m Denny Tamaki, digging in my heels to give my body and soul, to the limit of my life, for the sake of our prefecture’s people, for our Okinawa’s sake!” In the gubernatorial election, local business interests are staking their hopes on former Naha Deputy Mayor Genta Koja, whom the Liberal Democratic Party and others seem to have come around to backing, after he formally declared his run last month. On the huge issue of contention, the relocation of the American Military Futenma Base to Henoko in Nago, Gover...

Splendor of Okinawa: Gerbera Jamesonii, roadside Uruma, 25ap26 At a press conference on 27 April, Constitutional Democratic Party Representative Shunichi Mizuoka expressed his party’s plan to support Governor Denny Tamaki in the prefectural gubernatorial election, with ballots to be cast and counted in September. However, the party federation’s intention on just how to offer concrete assistance to Governor Tamaki remains under consideration. The main point of contention is expected to be the relocation of the US Military Futenma Airfield in Ginowan to Henoko in Nago. Representative Mizuoka stressed, “Our consideration of requesting the abandonment of the project  remains absolutely unchanged!” At the press conference also was Communist Party Chief Secretary Akira Koike, who declared his party’s support for Governor Tamaki in coordination with the political clout of All Okinawa, which touts its opposition to the Henoko relocation. Original Japanese article: JIJI. COM, published Mon...

Splendor of Okinawa: Jasmine, roadside Uruma, 26ap26 On 25 April, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki (66) 7, eying a third term, formally declared his candidacy for the gubernatorial election, occasioned by the end of his term, with votes to be opened on 13 September. 　 In this gubernatorial election, the Liberal Democratic Party, out of power in the Prefectural Administration for 12 years, is seeking to recapture power with a plan to give its total support to former Naha Deputy Mayor Genta Koja (42), who has already declared his run. The election is expected to be a truly epic face off between Tamaki and Koja. In Okinawa, the reinforcement of capacity of the Self Defense Forces (SDF) is continuing, as the National Government proceeds with its Southwest Shift (trans. note: toward the Ryukyus) in Defence capabilities. The response to the National Government’s Security Treaty measures, including the US base issues, are expected to become points of contention in the election. At a p...

Splendor of Okinawa: Chinese Aster, roadside Uruma, 25ap26 Facing the 27 April proclamation and 13 September counting of ballots in the gubernatorial election, on 25 April, current Governor Denny Tamaki (66) held a rally at Naha City’s Novotel Okinawa Naha to formally declare his candidacy. The governor stressed his record, over the 8 years of his two terms, in economic development and improvements in the daily lives of his prefecture’s people. Moreover, he stated his intentions for further development.  The governor promised, “I will strongly petition the National Government to rid us of the dangers of Futenma without a moment’s delay, and I will continue to be against the construction of any new base at Henoko in Nago, associated with the relocation of the US Military Futenma Airfield!” At the rally, Governor Tamaki explained his countermeasures in the wake of the conflagration that destroyed Shuri Castle, as well as against swine flu and Covid virus in his first term, and then h...

Splendor of Okinawa: Ruellia Nudiflora, roadside Uruma, 7oc25. On 24 April Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki visited Cabinet Minister for Okinawa and the North Hitoshi Kikawada at the Cabinet Office. Along with intensification of the war in the Middle East, they discussed the soaring prices of commodities strangling the lives of the prefecture’s people. The governor requested putting together a plan with  “bold vision” , a basic plan of economic and fiscal management for this summer to counter Okinawa’s special needs. Minister Kikawada responded, “I’d like to get behind the creation of a strong economy for Okinawa.” Governor Tamaki responded on record to press corps queries. He explained that Okinawa’s situation is unique in that the cost of transport  on Okinawa Island is getting way too expensive, with the dependence of most on the automobile as the primary means of transport. 　 “Figuring that the situation in the Middle East may be prolonged, we’d like to have econom...

Splendor of Okinawa: Madagascar Periwinkle, roadside Uruma, 5ap26 Boats capsized in the offing at Henoko in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture. Two, including a student, were killed in the accident. The Ministry of Education has announced that it will carry out an on-site inspection at the school involved. On 16 March, two boats carrying students from Doshisha International High School and others capsized in the offing at Henoko in Nago. Tomoko Takeishi (17) and the captain of one of the boats were killed in the accident.   The Ministry of Education had already been proceeding with an investigation and such of the school through Kyoto Prefecture. However, on 24 April, it will itself carry out an inspection on-site at Doshisha Education Institute Inc., which manages the high school. 　 According to Education Minister Yohei Matsumoto, “We are aware of a lack of preliminary site inspection before the incident, insufficient explanation given to the caregivers of the children, deficiencies in the ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Busy Lizzie, roadside Uruma, 22mr26 Last month, 2 boats, carrying students from Doshisha International High School and others, capsized in the offing at Henoko in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture. Two died in the accident: a female student (17) and a boat captain. On 24 April, will carry out an on-site inspection of Doshisha Education Institute Inc., which manages the school. Today, a little over a month since the accident occurred, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki visited the beach near the accident site to observe a moment of silence. The 11th District Coast Guard Safety Headquarters is also proceeding with its investigation of the accident on suspicion of negligent homicide in the course of business and violation of the Maritime Transportation Act. Original Japanese article, TBS News Dig: Tuesday 21 April 2021 at 23:44. https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/e1a6eb56a9ede739d8cf200fbe7e31dfddb1e890 Denny in the News: Denny Tamaki is the governor of Okinawa Prefectu...

Splendor of Okinawa: China Pink, roadside Uruma, 22mr26 Last month, 2 boats capsized in the offing at Henoko in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture. In the accident, two were killed, including a girl from a group of Doshisha International High School students, on a study tour from Kyotanabe City in Kyoto Prefecture.  On 21 April, Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki visited the shore, overlooking the accident site in the sea, to lay flowers. This was the first time for the governor to visit near the site since the accident. On that day, Governor Tamaki, looking out at the site in the sea offering the  flowers in his hand, clasped his hands in prayer. 　 After that, he spoke on record to the press squad, “l feel like my heart has been absolutely shattered. Taking this accident as a lesson, in order for us to welcome students on school excursions and all other tourists, we have renewed our decision that we must again put ourselves to the task of creating a system of absolute safety.” Original J...

Splendor of Okinawa: Jersey Lily, Gushikawa RC Church, 19ap26 As a part of the terms for the reversion of the US Military Futenma Airfield, Japan’s Administration is mulling preparations for a new road within the US base.  In an on record response to the press squad at the Prefectural Office on 20 April, Governor Denny Tamaki made known his intention to request an explanation from the Administration. Original Japanese article : Kyodo Communications, published 20 April 2026 at 10:15. https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/3d6f05b4c33e54e99e2a3415f2a248bd01519710 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 tra...

Splendor of Okinawa: Hippeastrum, Gushikawa RC Church. 19ap26 Preparations are underway for a new road within the US Futenma Airfield in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, which the National Government envisions as part of the terms of the base’s reversion. On 20 April, Governor Denny Tamaki, at a Prefectural Office press briefing, stated, “That’s a story I hadn’t even heard. It’s necessary for me to get the courtesy of an explanation about it from the Administration.”  The governor further expressed his consideration of conducting an investigation on the environmental impact of such construction. He pointed out. “We wouldn’t want to break the protocol of deliberations with the local communities in Okinawa.” On the reversion of Futenma, the governor continued. “Since Henoko can’t be considered an alternative location, we would like to get together with the Administration for a speedy elimination of the base’s dangers.” Original Japanese article : Kyodo Communications, published Monday 20...

Splendor of Okinawa: Gladiolus, Gushikawa RC Church, 19ap26. On 17 April, the Prefectural Awamori Mutual Interest Association, chaired by the Prefectural  Industrial Promotion Public Corporation Chairman Yasutoshi Sueyoshi, held its “Spring Okinawa Prefecture Awamori Mutual Interest Association” event for tasting the myriad ways of drinking Awamori, at West Naha’s Loisir Hotel Naha 　  Visitors to the event enjoyed highballs and cocktails from each distillery along with a live jazz concert. About 600 visitors had a good time tasting original cocktails prepared by Awamori masters, as they compared the Awamori from 11 distillers at the booths set up.  　 Chairman Sueyoshi called the assembly  together for a toast with, “Awamori, certainly Okinawa’s Treasure, linking our vigor to our furthermost islands. A toast to her. Cheers!” Governor Denny Tamaki sent his greetings to the event through his representative Deputy Governor Hajime Ohshiro, noting, “My best wishes that the...

Splendor of Okinawa: Golden Dewdrop, Ricom pathside, 17ap26 Two boats, carrying 21 students from Doshisha International High School among others, capsized in the offing at Henoko in Nago, Okinawa. A second year student and a boat captain died in the accident. In addition, 12 of the 14 injured in the lamentable accident, which occurred on 16 March 2026, were students. According to our Society Section reporter, “While the students and others were on a study tour for their peace studies on the situation of work on the relocation site there for the US Military Futenma Airfield Base, it appears that the boats that they  were viewing from in the offing at Henoko  were hit by a sudden blast of wind and waves, capsizing the boats. Questions have arisen over such matters as a lack of sufficiency in understanding preparedness in vessel safety between  the school and ‘Helicopter Base Opposition Coordination Committee’, the group managing the boats.” A month after the  accident ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Marigold, roadside Uruma, 22mr26 In the offing at Henoko in Nago, 2 protest boats, carrying high school students and others on a peace studies excursion, capsized. One of the 2 killed in the accident was a high school girl.  The accident had occurred one month before 16 April. So, on that day, Governor Denny Tamaki answered questions on record from the press squad at the Prefectural Office.  The governor noted, “Because of Okinawa’s place as an attraction for school excursions, we have to accept the special weight of such a responsibility.  The governor further expressed his consideration of coordinating the broadcast of recurrence prevention measures prior to the extended holidays of Golden Week (GW). The governor also confirmed that he intends to visit the accident site for a memorial. The accident occurred on 16 March in the offing near the shallows of a coral reef at Henoko. Two boats, used for protest activities, capsized in succession. 14 were i...