Denny in the News

At the end of last year I returned to Okinawa. The order had been handed down by the Japanese government that under no circumstances should the Omicron strain of Covid-19 that was causing the world to tremble get into Japan. Japanese citizens returning from abroad who tested positive at immigration had to be isolated after entering the country for 3 to 10 days at an accommodation decided by the quarantine station. During quarantine, there were health checks twice a day and the accommodation confirmed a response by video phone or app several times per day.  After confirmed negative results on the 3rd, 6th, and 10th days, the traveler was released.   The Japanese government explained to the US Military in Japan the coherent measures that were being taken. However, when a huge cluster occurred at year end, it was discovered that US military personnel were entering and leaving Japan freely without testing. In Okinawa, the widespread infections on the bases were extensively covered...

“Spread Prevention Special Measures” went into effect on 9 January in 3 prefectures: Okinawa, Yamaguchi, and Hiroshima. Because of the widespread Covid-19, no Coming of Age Day ceremonies were held. Even Kokusai (International) Street, which should have been bustling with loads of young people, was deserted. At “Kotori”, a restaurant/bar near Kokusai Street staffed by two ladies, 2 groups of 4 were tipping their cups at the counter. The place has tables with about 30 seats. Ms. Maki Tamaki (68), charged with serving customers, lamented, “Normally, except for seats left empty as a contagion prevention measure, the place would be full. But now?”  From the end of May until the end of September last year the place was temporarily shut down under the State of Emergency Declaration. During that time they kept in touch with their usual customers by mail. So, when doors opened again in October, the footsteps of their customers returned. The ladies claim business was bustling until 2 Januar...

The sudden surge of Covid-19 cases in Okinawa are said to be a direct hit on the coming Nago mayoral election, to be announced on 16 January. As Okinawa’s “election year” first battle, which will continue the important watershed struggle for the opposition parties as well in the fall gubernatorial election, the campaign headquarters are watching over their support rhetoric for votes. For the governing party (LDP), there are concerns over the influence of the surge on the relocation of the US MIlitary Futenma Airfield from Ginowan to Henoko in Nago. The mayoral election looks to be a two way battle between the incumbent Mayor Taketoyo Toguchi (60), nominated by the ruling party (LDP), and newcomer City Assemblyman Yohei Iwamoto, supported by the Constitutional Democratic Party, the Communist Party, and Governor Denny Tamaki. Ballots will be opened on 23 January. In contrast to Kishimoto, who lauds his opposition to the relocation, Toguchi is taking the strategy of avoiding the point of ...

At the Japan US Security Conference (2 plus 2) on 7 January, Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki showed the concerns on his mind of a Taiwan emergency in joint discussions. He noted his stance in opposition to joint use of SDF (Japan Self Defence Force) facilities and pointed out, “In a case such as a Taiwan emergency, it is absolutely unacceptable  that Okinawa should be in a situation where it becomes a target for an attack. When you strengthen SDF deployments and add to that joint use of SDF facilities, for the people of this prefecture, you’re wrapping them up in an especially great unease. Joint use ought not be done!” The governor made a  further request to the National Government, “I hope we will strive to foster trust, while relieving the tensions building up in the Asia-Pacific region,” further noting, “I would welcome the development of a joint effort plan to handle states of emergency.” He also alluded to the SDF buildup broadly in the Ryukyu Islands where, “Joint use of ...

The view has been hardening that the  US Military bases in Japan are the epicenter of the sudden expansion of the epidemic in 3 prefectures: Okinawa, where Special Contagion Prevention Measures against Covid-19 have been applied, Yamaguchi, and Hiroshima. Compared to Japan’s, the US Military’s disease prevention measures have been pointed out to be weak. The Japanese Government is worried that anti-base sentiment will surely heighten among its population. On 6 January, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi phoned US Secretary of State Antony Blinken asking for a tightening of contagion prevention measures among US Military in Japan, “We strongly request that you implement strong and thorough measures, including imposition of confinement to base.” The Foreign Ministry’s request for confinement to base was unprecedented. Secretary Blinken answered, “I want to do whatever I can.” 　 US Military bases in their midst is a common factor among the 3 prefectures. In Japan, 70 percent of the fa...

On 5 January, it became known that 27 people were newly infected with Covid-19 in the prefecture (Shizuoka). Moreover, the wide-spread infections at the US Military Camp Fuji in Gotemba  have not ceased. Up to now, 46 cases of infection have been confirmed there, further heightening the sense of alarm in the area. The contagion is widespread among the American Military stationed in the prefecture as well. The American Military Camp Fuji in Gotemba reported 46  cases of contagion among its units as of 5 January. The Omicron strain was also confirmed there. The situation regionally and in the city of Gotemba is such. Gotemba Mayor Masami Katsumata notes, “Covid-19 is overwhelming wherever there are Marine bases: Okinawa, Iwakuni. My truly great worry is this situation where it is spreading widely in the blink of an eye.”  At this point, the spread of the contagion keeps getting wider and wider from the areas that have American Military bases. On 5 January in Yamaguchi Prefe...