Okinawa vice-governor gives progress report on new Okinawa development strategy to make prefecture “the launch pad to Asia,” playing a role in Japan’s economic revitalization

Okinawa vice-governor gives progress report on new Okinawa development strategy to make prefecture “the launch pad to Asia,” playing a role in Japan’s economic revitalization

ice-governor Tomikawa giving a progress report on the new Okinawa development strategy May 9 at the Okinawa Prefectural Office


May 10, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

Looking to solidify the plan to stimulate the Okinawa economy starting 2022 onwards, Okinawa vice governor Moritake Tomikawa delivered a progress report on the new Okinawa development strategy May 9 at the Prefectural Office.

Vice-governor Tomikawa said that the goal of the strategy was, “To utilize Okinawa’s role as the bridgehead to Asia, further contributing to Japan’s economy,” highlighting nine areas to explore including a turning the airport into a world-class international hub, forming an international cruise hub, and introducing a rail system among others.

Additionally, he explained that, “One of the large hurdles to get over is the argument, ‘Why do we need another 10 years for an Okinawan stimulus plan that has already been going on for the past 50?’

If we do not proceed with a scenario that leads to the revitalization of Japan’s economy, the next steps become difficult.” He stressed that utilizing Okinawa as a “launch pad” to Asia plays a significant role in the strength of Japan’s economy.

The current Okinawa stimulus plan (Okinawa 21st Century Vision) will finish at the end of 2021, so this year with their focus on the post-plan strategy, Okinawa will perform a full review of the current plan while simultaneously formulating the new development strategy.

In the progress report, in order to develop Okinawa for 10 and 20 years in the future, it identifies the need for Okinawa’s economy to work on meeting the dynamism of the rapidly developing Asian economy, noting three developmental courses: 1. A launching pad for businesses 2. The capacity to handle events and phenomena, and 3. Frontier markets.

This was highlighted by plans to improve air and sea port infrastructure, and to attract and develop cutting-edge industries.

As for more concrete tasks and areas of exploration, Tomikawa identified nine items such as improving the functionality of Naha Airport to turn it into a world-class hub, forming an international cruise bastion that includes a new cruise ship pier and traveler terminal facilities, and the introduction of a railway system.

Vice-governor Tomikawa commented that when he explained this to Governor Takeshi Onaga, he answered, “Please continue in this direction.” The hope is to have a finalized strategy in place around fall of this year.

(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)

 

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