Event to commemorate former governor Masahide Ota held in Naha

 

June 13, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

An event to commemorate former governor of Okinawa and emeritus professor at the University of the Ryukyus, Masahide Ota, who passed away in June, 2017, was held in Naha the evening of June 12.

He died at the age of ninety-two.

The ceremony was held at the Prefectural Center for Equality Tiruru on the anniversary of his death.

Approximately 270 people, including people from his home island Kume, his former students, and former government officers, attended the ceremony to reflect on his life and personality.

The committee, which included Mitsuko Tomon, Mikio Higa, and Tokushin Yamauchi, held the event.

The participants showed the former governor’s wide-reaching network of relationships, even Keiichi Inamine, who ran against Ota in the gubernatorial election, attended the ceremony.

 

Mitsuko Tomon, a former student of Ota’s who served as vice-governor under Ota, commented “He took a lead role in promoting women’s participation in politics before other prefectures in the country. I was fortunate to have met such a wonderful governor.”

Mikio Higa, 87, who has been connected with Ota since 1949, also missed his old friend, saying “He held non-violence and peace as the center of his philosophy. I think he wished to reveal and carry over the reality of the battle of Okinawa to future generations.”

 

A video of Ota was also played during the ceremony.

With the songs “Jana-bushi” and “Tinsagunu-hana” played as a musical tribute, participants shared their memories of Ota.

 

(English translation by T&CT and Sayaka Sakuma)

 

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