At a speech in Fukuzawa, Okinawa Governor Tamaki reveals the bizarre fact that 70 percent of facilities allocated to US Forces in Japan are concentrated in his prefecture, noting, “We continue to carry this extraordinary burden of bases on our backs!” (8jn26)At a speech in Fukuzawa, Okinawa Governor Tamaki reveals the bizarre fact that 70 percent of facilities allocated to US Forces in Japan are concentrated in his prefecture, noting, “We continue to carry this extraordinary burden of bases on our backs!” (8jn26)

Splendor of Okinawa: Pink, roadside Uruma, 25ap26

A forum was held on 7 June in Fujisawa City in Kanazawa Prefecture from Kanazawa's perspective, considering its being second to Okinawa in carrying the burden of bases for US Forces stationed in Japan.


Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki’s speech revealed the bizarre truth that, although Okinawa Prefecture contains only 0.6% of Japan’s total land mass, 70.3% of facilities dedicated to the use of US Forces in Japan are concentrated in his prefecture.


Governor Tamaki stressed, “After World War II, US bases on mainland Japan were systematically reduced. However, even since Okinawa’s reversion to Japan in 1972, a large number of US Military bases have continued to be constructed on the basis of the US-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).


Our prefecture’s people are still bearing on their backs this extraordinary burden of military bases!”


As you in Kanazawa well know from your hosting Atsugi Base, I think we have a common feeling and wish that the base situation be shared by all in our Nation as their own problem.”


The governor also referred to the fact of  unending crimes by US Military personnel, pleading for the impotence of regional negotiations, noting, “The mere talks they’re having between our countries cannot alone solve the base issues.” 


The forum was jointly produced by the general incorporated association Keisou Juku and the Walk with Abe Association, which supports former House Member Tomoko Abe. About 250 people participated.


Among those taking the podium were Tomoko Abe, former Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Tsuyoshi Saito, Senator Kenji Isozaki of the Reiwa Shinsen Gumi, and Constitutional Democratic Party Member Kiyomi Tsujimoto.


Original Japanese article: Kanaroko (Kanagawa) Shimbun, Sunday 7 June 2026 at 19:31.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/a1cec389d4cd039a335732915a56514b70530090


Denny in the News: Denny Tamaki is the governor of Okinawa Production of the 8th World Uchina-nchu Rally set for 27-31 October 2027. (6jn26)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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