(Okinawa Gubernatorial Election) Governor Denny Tamaki declares his entry into the race promising opposition to the Henoko relocation, “Removal of perils”, and the realization of a truly bountiful Okinawa. (26ap26)

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 his relief of the rate of child-poverty in his second term.


The governor further noted that tourist numbers have been increasing and that news has it that the prefecture’s economics are on a favorable rise. He introduced as an example that the Prefecture’s 2026 General Accounts Budget had surpassed 900 billion yen for the first time in history. Thus, he touted his accomplishments and economics, noting, “Such is the great difference between me and my untested opposition candidate.”


The governor, envisioning his own third term, gushed, “Okinawa will become an island that can experience  its true bounty!” He explained, claiming, “This election can be the essential cornerstone that we can lay for future generations.”


As for his third term priorities, the governor raised his preparations for a public transportation system, including an expansion of the monorail and the development of a railroad system, noting, “With the 100th year since the war on the horizon, these will be a priority.”


Governor Tamaki showed his acknowledgement of the new base construction at Henoko, stating, “It will be one of the points of contention”. The governor noted that the present reality is that, while the new base construction at Henoko proceeds, Futenma Airfield’s dangers will not be abated. He criticized the National Government, calling it “negligent!”, for not proceeding toward a solution to the problem through dialogue.


In the gubernatorial election, former Naha Deputy Mayor Genta Koja (42), who has shown a  stance of approval for the Henoko relocation,  already formally declared his candidacy back in March. So, it looks like the gubernatorial election is unfolding as a contest between candidates Tamaki and Koja. 

　

At the start of the rally, Governor Tamaki held a moment of silence in memory of the two who died in the tragic capsize of boats in the offing at Henoko on 16 March.


Denny Tamaki was born on 13 October 1959 in Uruma City (formerly Yonagusuku Village). He graduated from Jochi Social Welfare Technical College. After serving on the Okinawa City Council and as a Diet  member in the House of Representatives, he was elected Governor in 2018, following the death of then Governor Takeshi Onaga. He was re-elected in 2022.


Original Japanese article: Ryukyu Shimpo, published Sunday 26 April 2026 at 10:30. 

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/fc89cdd7c5a7d1075f40d3483ed6aea839101a96


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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