Denny in the News

With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in mind with its need for humanitarian aid, Governor Denny Tamaki announced on 14 March that he would assist by receiving Ukrainian and other refugees. He is setting up a system for securing public housing and providing daily necessities, such as food, as well as establishing services such as portals for consultation. Moreover, considering that the refugees may remain for a long time, the governor is also thinking of pushing for assistance such as in finding jobs. On 6 March, Okinawa City Mayor Sachio Kuwae also announced his thoughts on cooperating in the reception of refugees. So now even within the prefecture, concrete consideration of assistance has begun. Governor Denny Tamaki emphasized, “It is unacceptable that precious lives be stolen by war. In unison with international society, every kind of assistance is required!” On 14 March, discussions were also held at the headquarters meeting. All division chiefs offered their suggestions on a concrete...

A small plane crashed at Iejima Airport in Okinawa Prefecture. It was owned by Mesh Support, an NPO corporation which operates air ambulance services. On news of the accident which killed 2, Governor Denny Tamaki, speaking to the press corps on the morning of 14 March, stated, “My heart is pained at what has resulted in a terrible tragedy. I want to offer my condolences for the two whose deaths were caused by the crash.” On the effects of the crash on northern regional health services, the  governor continued, “Mesh Support carries the burden of fragility of health care in the outer islands and northern region. The role it plays is crucially important. From the moment I received the details of the report, I wanted to consider what assistance would be possible in cooperation with the northern district municipalities.” Original Japanese article: Okinawa Times, published Monday 14 March 2022 at 11:32 https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/510b1fe7b20a7f47dd945ed3a19a61d7535e2300 Translator...

(TOKYO) Okinawa Prefecture is requesting an extension of the system of specially discounted fares on the Okinawa Expressway. On 8 March, Governor Denny Tamaki made  clear that he had a forward looking answer from Cabinet Minister for Okinawa Kosaburo Nishime targeting a one year extension. Facing the expiration of the current system at the end of this month, Governor Tamaki had submitted a documented request for a 3 year extension to Cabinet Minister for Okinawa Nishime at a meeting on that and other topics the same day. According to Governor Tamaki, Minister Nishime acknowledged the significance of the system and is looking forward to extending it until the end of March 2023, noting, “The system is making a contribution to the socio-economic activities of the people of the prefecture.” So, he laid out his plans to get cooperation from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Tetsuo Saito, who manages the system. The governor said Minister Nishime later commented...

At Tsuhako’s Tenno beach in Sashiki in the city of Nanjo, the riding of jet skis has reached the point of being a danger to swimmers. On 27 February, Tsuhako held a mass concerted action rally at Tenno Beach requesting that riding jet skis and such be banned. About 200 residents of the district attended. A resolution was adopted requesting the establishment of regulations to control the jet ski problem. Hereafter, the District will send the resolution to Governor Denny Tamaki, the chief of the 11th Administration Headquarters of the Coast Guard, and others. The resolution points out,”There is a danger of collisions when riding jet skis. The free use for residents of their own water space is being inhibited.” It was requested that the Prefecture and the Coast Guard, which administer Tenno Beach, “put in place regulations and aggressively enforce laws.” District Mayor Juntatsu (=順達?)Takaesu noted, “It’s dangerous for our residents. We’re raising our voices over what we want done. Ban jet...

On 9 March, Governor Denny Tamaki received his third Covid-19 vaccination at the Naha Cruise Terminal at Wakasa in Naha. After his vaccination, Governor Tamaki called out to the people of the prefecture, “It’s said that the third vaccination gives effective prevention against the onset of the virus. I would like you all to consider it so we can participate in social activities safely and with peace of mind.” At the large scale vaccination centers set up by the Prefecture, people can receive the third vaccination even without a vaccination ticket, if they make a reservation and 6 months have passed since their second vaccination. 　 Original Japanese article: Ryukyu Shimpo, published Thursday 10 March 2022 at 14:26. Byline: Masakazu (=正覚?) Umeda  https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/b7258e98ac279f7d24e19a5df18873afa838a6d0 Translator’s note: Denny in the News: news about Okinawan Governor Denny Tamaki. Denny Tamaki is the governor of Okinawa Prefecture in Japan. Although Okinawa is imp...

On 9 March, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki, out of concern over the stress on the medical system of the high rate of Covid-19 infections in the Yaeyama District (the city of Ishigaki and towns of Taketomi and Yonaguni), issued a “Wide-spread Infection Warning” in that region. The applicable period will be 2 weeks starting from 9 March. Governor Tamaki requested that those feeling ill refrain from outside activity or going to school. He also asked for consideration beforehand of holding such events as farewell and graduation parties without drinking and meals. In the Yaeyama District, the criteria for considering renewing the request for Spread Prevention Extraordinary Measures had been momentarily surpassed: (1) the rate of hospital beds in use has gone over 60% and (2) the number of those newly testing positive for Covid-19 had gone over double the previous week. However, the increase in the rate of hospital beds in use was due mainly to a cluster at a medical facility and t...

TOKYO: On 8 March, Governor Denny Tamaki held a face-to-face meeting with Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Cabinet Minister Charged with Okinawa Kosaburo Nishime. He requested that the ministerial meetings associated with the G7 Summit in 2023 be held in Okinawa. This was the first request to the Japanese Government since the invitation was announced in February. The governor had also requested a meeting with Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, but the request was turned down over a scheduling conflict. Alluding to Okinawa’s record of success in holding the Okinawa Summit of 2000 and the G8 Science and Technology Summit of 2008, Governor Tamaki handed the request document to Foreign Minister Hayashi strongly noting the significance of Okinawa as the venue because of its position  as “the hub of Asia and the Pacific region.” According to Governor Tamaki, Foreign Minister Hayashi responded, “I want to work to give all concerned prefectures their fair share.  At the m...

Six years ago, a twenty-year-old woman was murdered by a former American Military base employee. In reaction, the Japanese Government set up  a patrol squad in order to prevent any recurrence of such a crime. However, it reduced next year’s budget for the patrols by about 40% from this year’s level. NHK reporting has learned from the Okinawa Comprehensive Administration Office that the scope of the squad’s duties will be thus decreased. In April of 2016, a twenty-year-old woman from Uruma was murdered by a former American Military base employee. In response, 2 months later in June, the Japanese Government set up  the “Okinawa Regional Safety Patrol Squad” in order to prevent any recurrence of such crimes. The budget for the work of the patrol squad this year was 730 million yen. But next year’s budget for it will be only 465 million yen, a cut of about 40%. NHK reporting has learned from the Okinawa Comprehensive Administration Office that the scope of the squad’s duties will ...

Both lanes of the National Route 329 Yonabaru Bypass stretching the 2.2 km from Yonabaru in the Yonabaru District to Yonaha in the Haebaru District were provisionally opened for traffic at 4 P.M. on 6 March. The bypass, with a total length of 4.2 km including the section already open for traffic from Onaha in the Nishihara District to Yonaha in the Haebaru District, has now become provisionally open for traffic in all lanes. Relief of congestion around the Yonabaru and other intersections can be expected. The same day, an opening ceremony was held. About 500 people participated, including dignitaries from the three districts and the Combined Office of the Okinawa Southern District National Traffic Bureau. Festivities included tape-cutting and bursting festive paper balloons. Work began on the Yonabaru Bypass in 1992. In 2004, actual road construction started. Currently one lane in each direction has been provisionally opened for traffic. A plan for 2 lanes each way  sometime in the...

Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki, at a press conference on the afternoon of 3 March, confirmed 996 new Covid-19 cases that day. On the same day the previous week (24 February), the number was 627. The number has risen every day for the past week. However, since there was a holiday the day before 24 February (23 February: Emperor’s Birthday), the number of new Covid-19 cases that day may have been lower in comparison to an ordinary day due to that timing. Original Japanese article: Okinawa Times, published Thursday 3 March 2022 at 14:02 https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/efa0bf7b127f869e0be3ab4d45d5e7b5128b8437 Translator’s note: Denny in the News: news about Okinawan Governor Denny Tamaki. Denny Tamaki is the governor of Okinawa Prefecture in Japan. Although Okinawa is 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...

On 3 March, Governor Denny Tamaki announced that third Covid-19 vaccinations could be had at large scale vaccination centers in 3 cities on Okinawa Island, even without a vaccination ticket, by those who had received the second shot 6 months before. Appointments can be made by phone from 10 A.M. on 4 March and vaccinations can begin even as early as 5 March. The vaccination venues will be the Naha Cruise Terminal at Wakasa in Naha, the NBC Comprehensive Wedding Ceremony Hall at Goya in Okinawa City, and the Prefectural Northern District Composite Government Office at Ominami in Nago. At each vaccination center there are 50 slots for individuals without vaccination tickets, although the Nago site has such slots available only on Fridays and Saturdays. Individuals can make appointments from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. through the call center at 098 (943) 2993. For businesses and groups seeking consultation, call the Prefectural Vaccination Policy Department at 098 (866) 2013. Original Japanese art...

Governor Denny Tamaki held an emergency meeting at the Prefectural Office on 3 March. He made clear that he was on the verge of requesting the Japanese Government for the use of the Spread Prevention Extraordinary Measures again because the Covid-19 level has continued to remain high.  The same day, the Prefecture had announced 996 new infections within the prefecture. Governor Tamaki noted that infections were spreading especially by passing through households to children. He elaborated, “The number of infected is continuing to rebound to some extent. If the spread of this infection becomes rapid and wide, the necessity of slamming on the brakes  will be assumed.” The governor called once again for thorough prevention measures. He explained that because the route of infections is passing through households, it is spreading widely among those under 10 in kindergartens and childcare facilities, among teenagers from after school activities and contacts with friends, and among th...

Within the Prefecture there is word of a trend toward an increase in Covid-19 patients. On 3 February, Governor Denny Tamaki held a press conference where showed his awareness and called for thorough infection prevention, “The spread has stopped decreasing and it is continuing to rebound.” The governor explained that, in order to hasten third vaccinations, at each large scale Prefectural vaccination center in central and northern Okinawa, he was carrying out vaccinations even without   vaccination slips, targeting those who had received their 2nd vaccination more than six months ago. Applications for businesses, groups, and individuals will begin on 4 February. He also announced that he was assisting with funding and the dispatch of long term health care workers in cases where there are outbreaks of victims in facilities for the elderly and those for other victims.  The governor noted that the infections were spreading widely within the prefecture among children and young fami...

General questioning began on 28 February for the February regular session of the Okinawa Assembly. 8 members of the Okinawa Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) asked questions. Director of the Health and Medical Department Reiko Oshiro responded to questions on various topics such as the time-off taken by bars and restaurants due to wide-spread Covid-19 infections and the bars and restaurants that did not heed the order to shorten business hours. The Prefecture has notified 220 bars and restaurants that it would ask the court to impose penalties on them. Director Oshiro clarified that as of 28 February there was no announcement of the court actually having imposed the penalties. Yoshitoyo Arakaki inquired about the cooperation award that was paid to shops that heeded the request for shortened business hours or for taking time off from business. Director of the Commerce and Labor Department Noboru Kakazu explained that out of a total of 112,256 requests received, 9,016 did not receive paymen...

Governor Denny Tamaki is  puzzling over what kind of statement of principles or declaration he should make in the wake of the pivotal 50th anniversary of Okinawa’s reversion to Japan. So, he invited 8 experts to the Prefectural Office on 24 February to exchange ideas privately with them. Fifty years ago, the Ryuku Government, under its Governor Chobyo Yara, offered the Japanese Government its “Principles for Reversion Measures (Yara Principles)”. On the basis of that document, the experts gathered opinions for a response to the present Prefectural Administration.  According to those present, one of the ideas that arose was, “We’d like to make a declaration based on the spirit of the Yara Principles.” After the meeting, Governor Tamaki stated, “The generation of the reversion, already accomplished when they were born, will become the generation with responsibility for from now on.  I want to make a declaration of principles for the future they hope for.” From his consultat...