Denny in the News

Splendor of Okinawa: Philippine Ground Orchid, roadside Uruma 16my26 In the face of Typhoon 6 nearing the Okinawa region, on the morning of 30 May, the first Disaster Prevention Headquarters Meeting (chair: Governor Denny Tamaki) was held.  At the meeting, it was confirmed that a typhoon would be near the Okinawa region from 1-2 June and that there would be the possibility of high and extremely strong winds, and alarm-level rain.  Governor Tamaki requested that prior preparations be made and non-essential and non-urgent outdoor activities be avoided, urging, “We would urge people living in areas where damage is feared to evacuate quickly before harm becomes imminent.” He further added that they should act,  prioritizing action to preserve their lives. At the meeting, the Okinawa Meteorological Observatory reported that, in the regions of Okinawa and Miyako Islands, it was sternly warning of fierce winds, and in the regions of Yaeyama and Daito Island, it would be necessar...

Splendor of Okinawa: Tropical Milkweed, roadside Uruma, 25my26 At a press conference on 29 May, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki spoke on the capsized boats accident in the offing at Henoko in Nago of his prefecture. The Ministry of Education and Science has ruled that Kyoto Prefecture‘s Doshisha International High School’s study program violated political neutrality.  Governor Tamaki criticized that ruling, asserting, “An accident is an accident and ought to be impartially responded to as such. Peace studies are peace studies and ought to be carried on as such!” He  stressed, “It’s ridiculous to investigate education as the cause of an accident.” On the Ministry’s ruling, the governor heaped criticism, asserting, “It is universally held that inappropriate interference by administrative authority is unacceptable.” The accident in question happened on 16 March. ( Trans. note: It’s a bit ironic that the Education Ministry has ruled that the study of the impact of foreig...

Splendor of Okinawa: Shell Ginger, roadside Uruma, 17my26 Okinawa Prefectural Police sent documents to the Naha District Court charging a US Army serviceman in his 20s, attached to the US Military in Okinawa Prefecture,  on suspicion of non-consensual sex and injuries, in the case of an adult woman who was sexually assaulted and injured. On 25 May, the Prefecture requested the Defense Ministry to prevent any such recurrence. It further plans to forthwith request the same from the Foreign Ministry and the US Army.  According to the Prefectural Police, in April, the man was accused of sexually assaulting a female acquaintance, with violence ensuing, which resulted in her receiving injuries that will require several weeks of treatment. On 22 May, the Prefectural Police sent the man’s charging documents to the prosecutor. In view of continuing cases of sexual assault, since last year, the US Military has been conducting joint patrols of entertainment districts with Prefectural Pol...

Splendor of Okinawa: Busy Lizzie 25my26 It has been learned that two days before Governor Denny Tamaki’s supporters were to hold a 24 April gathering for his Prefectural Gubernatorial Election campaign, death threats against him were mailed to the site. According to related sources, on 22April, 2 days before the gathering would be held, mail arrived at the Okinawa City facility sited for the event.  The mailed death threat claimed, “On 24 May, we’re going to kill Denny Tamaki, who is running for election, but has until now  concealed his relationship with the Communist Party!”  In response, Governor Tamaki stated, “Safety first! We’ve called for systematic cooperation with the Prefectural Police. We were in collaboration with the Okinawa City Police yesterday, but we can only hope there is no more such mail.” But similar threats keep occurring. On 17 April, mail was sent to places, such as the site in Naha of a speech where Governor Tamaki took the podium,  with the ...

Splendor of Okinawa: Day Lily, roadside Uruma, 25my26 On 24 May, an assembly of Governor Denny Tamaki’s supporters was held at the Agricultural Research Center in Okinawa City. Because a case of mail threatening the death of Governor Tamaki was received there, Okinawa Prefectural Police are proceeding with an investigation. The gathering was sponsored by the governor’s citizen supporters. The mail, addressed to the Agricultural Research Center, was posted on 22 May.  The subject line of the mail included the threat, “We’re going to kill you”, and threatened the murder of the governor . The contents of the mail also included mention of a captain in the boat capsize accident in the offing at Henoko in Nago, threatening, “We want to kill him next!” On report of the threats, officers from the Okinawa City Police Station were put on guard at the 24 May gathering. However, no noticeable trouble  was evident. Moreover, on 17 May, mail was received addressed to the office of Ryukyu Sh...

Splendor of Okinawa: Flamingo Lily, roadside Uruma, 25my26 Answering on record to press corps queries at the Prefectural Office. Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki spoke on the Prefecture’s peace education, which studies such matters as the Okinawa Campaign at the end of World War II and US Military base issues.  The governor noted, “In order to nourish the thinking power of students in studying their regional history, the Prefecture’s peace studies are unbiased overall”  After the accident involving the capsize of boats in the offing at Henoko in Nago in the prefecture, criticism has been rising on social media sites. The governor’s statement seemed to be a rebuttal of that. In response to the accident, the Ministry of Education and Science criticized Doshisha International High School (Kyoto Prefecture) over its studies program, claiming it violated political neutrality. The governor criticized the Ministry in turn, noting, “It stepped in too far! Original Japanese article: Kyod...

Splendor of Okinawa: Great Bougainvillea, roadside Uruma, 3my26 Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki heaped criticism on the Ministry of Education and Science’s ruling that Doshisha International High School’s (Kyoto Prefecture) study program, during which boats capsized in an accident in the offing at Nago’s Henoko in his prefecture, violated political neutrality. At a gathering held in Okinawa City, on 24 May, the governor stated, “It’s not even an overstatement to say that Okinawa’s peace studies has been stood at the brink of collapse by this ruling. I can only call it an unwarranted intervention into education!” The governor further argued, stressing the restraint of peace studies, “This cannot but become a situation where no opportunity can be made for the give and take of ideas among people, of truth and of witness.” The governor added his plea regarding  the right or wrong of the Ministry of Education and Science’s ruling, “This ruling must be verified from each and eve...

Splendor of Okinawa: Golden Trumpet (Ryukyuan: Ippei), roadside Uruma, 24my26 The Ministry of Education and Science judged that, in the case of the capsize of boats accident in the offing at Henoko in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, Doshisha International High School (Kyoto Prefecture)’s studies program violated political neutrality. In an on-record response to the press squad on that judgment, after a supporters meeting held in the prefecture’s Uruma City on 23 May, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki criticized the judgment, noting, “The very foundation of peace education is to offer environments for its study. When the Ministry comes barging into that area, it takes a step too far.” Governor Tamaki emphatically added, “The Ministry of Education and Science’s handling of this can be expected to spread and reverberate  greatly. However, I want to struggle to keep its impact away from our schools and children!” On the other hand, the governor said of the accident, “We will reflect o...

Splendor of Okinawa: Fumewort, roadside Uruma, 16my26 The Ministry of Education and Science has judged that a studies program of Doshisha International High School (Kyoto Prefecture), during which boats capsized in the offing at Henoko in Nago, violated political neutrality.  On 22 May, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki made clear his thinking that hereafter, as well, he will continue opportunities for peace studies. On an official visit  to the Prime Minister’s residence, he stressed to the press squad, “Peace education ought to be carried out fairly and justly, without depriving people of the belief in its concepts. Hereafter, as well, I want to proceed in accord with such a policy.” As for the Ministry of Education and Science’s judgment, the governor left it noting, “I think that after the investigation has shone light on the matter, there’ll be a statement.” 　 Original Japanese article , Kyodo Communications, published Friday 22May 2026 at 12,59. https://news.yahoo...

Splendor of Okinawa: Treasure Flower, roadside Uruma, 25ap26 On the evening of 18 May, Governor Denny Tamaki held his Prefectural Administration Report Meeting.  Microphone grasped in hand, Governor Tamaki stressed his achievements, “As a result  of my Prefectural Administration, each and every sector of business and industry, as well as our prefecture’s people have received our assistance. Even tax revenue is up. Since I’ve come into office, our prefecture’s economy has continued to grow.” The governor was engulfed in applause, when he declared, “I have decided to take to the field in the upcoming 13 September gubernatorial election, aiming for a third term!”  The governor also added to his appeal this year’s highest ever prefectural initial budget from Tokyo, noting, “Both the ruling and opposition parties united for the first time in 35 years to pass this budget.”  The governor’s proposed report was approved by the whole meeting. Original Japanese article: Yaeyam...

Splendor of Okinawa: Slender Dwarf Morning Glory, roadside Uruma, 17my 26. Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki’s Prefectural Report Meeting (sponsored by the Denny Tamaki Support Committee) was held on 18 May in Naha. There the governor reported the achievements made in the 8 years of his first 2 terms in office.  The governor courteously explained that for the first time ever, he got a historic budget in the range of 900 billion yen, tourism had made a v-shaped recovery, and he was making progress on child-care funding and free school meal funding. Aiming at creating peace in the Asia-Pacific Region through dialogue and diplomacy, he attended the UN Human Rights Commission’s September 2023 Board of Directors Meeting and stressed his declaration, stating, “Our plight is the concentration of US Military bases in our midst and our equal participation in decision making has been obstructed.” He added, “But the intention of our prefecture’s people is to continue our request for pe...

Splendor of Okinawa: Spiral Ginger, roadside Uruma,16my26 Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki held a regular press conference on 19 May. There had been an accident in which two people died, one of them a female student at Doshisha International High School in Kyoto Prefecture, on a peace studies excursion when two boats capsized in the offing of Henoko bay. Asked whether the accident would have an impact on his own candidacy in the September  gubernatorial election, he expressed his awareness of such a possibility, noting, “I can’t  just let that go by saying, ‘None whatsoever’, considering the leanings of one part of public opinion.” On the fake news spread on social media, the governor noted, “The judgment of the electorate ought not be based on fake news.” At the press conference Governor Tamaki questioned, “In the vacuum of speech on social media, how is it that mistakes and untruths get mixed together?” The governor pointed out two reports on social media that absolu...

Splendor of Okinawa: Clubed Begonia, roadside Uruma, 18my26 On 18 May, Governor Denny Tamaki held his Prefectural Administration Report Meeting in Naha City. In it, he stressed his hard work during his 8 years in office in dealing with child poverty and military base issues.  On his decision to aim for a third term in the 13 September gubernatorial election, the governor promised, “I will take part with all my body and soul, to do my sincere and devoted best for you, without ever forgetting to hold to my aim of wanting to be a leader in the service of all!” Original Japanese article: Okinawa Times, published Tuesday 19 May 2026 at 05:52. https://share.google/2HuVk1ldKGOdElu47 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.  T...

Splendor of Okinawa: Ramgoat Dashalong roadside Uruma, 17my26 Governor Denny Tamaki has issued his comments on 3 May’s Constitution Memorial Day.  On international society, he stressed, “The international order is being jarred by the one-sided attempts of great powers to change the status quo.” The governor added his comments on deepening the understanding of the principles of the philosophy and role of our Constitution, urging, “I would like this day to be devoted to thoughtfully studying once again our Constitution’s contribution in preserving our human rights and liberty!” Original Japanese article: Okinawa Times , published Sunday 3 May 2026 at 17:30.  https://www.okinawatimes.co.jp/articles/-/1829927 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 ...

Splendor of Okinawa：Madagascar Periwinkle, roadside Uruma,16my26 0n 15 May, Okinawa welcomed its 54th year since its reversion to Japan. Still, there has been no change in the fact that 70% of all Japan’s land allocated to military facilities is concentrated in Okinawa Prefecture. The US-Japan bilateral agreement of 30 years ago to return the U.S. Military Futenma Airfield in Ginowan to Japan has yet to be implemented. Protests against the US bases still continue. However, they do not seem to be widening with the unity of feeling that they once had. Has the Peace Movement hit a crossroads? Just past noon on 12 May, in front of the US Military Camp Schwab gate at Henoko in Nago, construction was proceeding for the relocation of Futenma Airfield. A few tens of people were there protesting it.  The participants in the protest that day centered around protesters in their 60s and 70s. One male participant (73) noted, “If you look around, you’ll always see the same members in our protest...