Governor Tamaki announces recurrence prevention measures before GW, and, at the site of the capsized boats accident in the offing at Henoko, he intends to visit a memorial. (17ap26).

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 injured, but one of the two killed was a high school girl.


The Coast Guard Office carried out a search of related premises at the scene. It pointed out that the security management system was insufficient, in that the names of those on board were not recorded and such other duties required by the Maritime Transportation Act. 


Regarding protest action groups within the prefecture, including Helicopter  Base Opposition Coordination Committee, which managed the boat sailings, Governor Tamaki claimed, “From the perspective of obedience to the laws and rules, the relevant documents are under inspection. Once confirmed, we certainly hope to make adjustments.


As for protest activity, the governor stated, “The right of free expression is essential!” He then stressed, “But the basic premise is that, above all,  safety and security be guaranteed in carrying out such rights!”


Moreover, on the message that the deceased school girl’s parents had posted on the Internet platform Note, the governor confirmed, “I also have seen it.” He added, “I feel broken hearted over the situation  of the child and her relatives: a precious life, with a future tat could have been joyous, was lost in an unforeseen accident.”


The governor further stated, “As the head of our prefecture, with care over this administration, I must establish its safety and security In order for us to welcome tourism and school excursions, I feel strongly that we, even more, must earnestly arrange for absolute safety.” 


The governor also showed a stance of firmly coming to grips with strengthening countermeasures touching on training for accidents.


Touching on a notice from the Ministry of Education, the governor noted that the Ministry had issued a notice requesting that the Prefecture thoroughly guarantee the safety of extra-curricular school activities for schools within the Prefecture. So, the Prefecture is continuing to gather information and will proceed to investigate countermeasures.

　

Original Japanese article: Okinawa Yaeyam Daily News, published Friday 17 April 2026.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/c168527bd32c43e0496dcba6b55d55f8b0ab9bf7


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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