Former governor Onaga’s prefectural funeral teems with 3,000 people saying final farewells
On October 9 at the Okinawa Prefectural Budokan in Naha 3,000 people attend former governor Takeshi Onaga's prefectural funeral ceremony.
October 10, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo
An Okinawa prefectural funeral ceremony for former governor Takeshi Onaga was held on the evening of October 9 at the Okinawa Prefectural Budokan in Naha City.
Onaga, age 67 when he died, demanded that Japan find solutions to the U.S. military base issues in Okinawa, and pursued promotional policies to improve welfare and other aspects of life in Okinawa.
The committee for organizing the funeral was composed of 8 organs including the Okinawa Prefectural Government (OPG), the Prefectural Assembly, the Okinawa Association of City Mayors, the Okinawa Association of Town and Village Mayors, and the Council of Okinawa Prefectural Economic Organizations.
Organizers announced that 3,000 people attended the ceremony.
It was a bitter and sudden parting with Onaga, who died in office in August while persisting in his public committment to stop construction of the Futenma replacement facility in Henoko, Nago City.
Governor Denny Tamaki, who acted as head of the committee organizing the funeral, gave a ceremonial address.
He said that Okinawans will carry through with Takeshi Onaga’s dying wishes, and pledged they would do so peacefully and with great dignity.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga attended the funeral ceremony and delivered a condolence message from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Suga touched on the political stance of Onaga, who called on Japan to address the overlarge share of the base burden on Okinawa.
The chief cabinet secretary said, “The Japanese government, too, is taking steps to reduce the base burden.”
Suga has been advancing construction of the Futenma replacement facility in Henoko, and conflicted with Onaga’s administration over such.
During Suga’s address attendees scoffed at him and made noise.
The Prefectural Budokan Arena is equipped with 2400 seats for general attendance.
Even so, the attendees could not fit into the seating and overflowed into temporary viewing tents with monitors showing the ceremony.
During the funeral, former governor Onaga’s wife Mikiko and eldest son Yuichiro carried Onaga’s portrait and ashes onto the stage, led by Governor Tamaki.
All attendees joined together in a silent prayer for the deceased.
Naha Mayor Mikiko Shiroma, head of the Council of Okinawa Prefectural Economic Organizations Denichiro Ishimine, and a colleague representing Chairman Morimasa Goya of Kanehide Holdings also offered condolence messages.
Onaga is the fourth successive governor to receive an Okinawa prefectural funeral ceremony after Chobyo Yara, Junji Nishime, and Masahide Ota.
(English translation by T&CT and Erin Jones)
Previous Article:Flower art blooms on the beach: giant plant sculpture created using 8,300 Strelitzia
Next Article:Shimoji-shima to Narita Airport Terminal to open in March of 2019 in Miyakojima, Okinawa
[Similar Articles]
- 4,500 people attend memorial service for Governor Onaga to mourn “The soul of a politician”
- Okinawa Governor Onaga to address UN
- “Carry on the mantle of peace and coexistence”—2,000 pay their respects to former governor Ota
- Carrying on former Governor Onaga’s spirit
- Shimagurumi delegation to visit US, tell US congress members about governor’s revocation of Henoko landfill
Webcam(Kokusai Street)
