After satirizing the Okinawan base issue, comedian Daisuke Muramoto draws attention to it, saying, “There is something to Okinawa’s actions”, and “It’s the same Japan”

After satirizing the Okinawan base issue, comedian Daisuke Muramoto draws attention to it, saying, “There is something to Okinawa’s actions”, and “It’s the same Japan”

Woman Rush Hour’s Daisuke Muramoto, speaking on topics such as the Okinawa base issue. January 3, 2018, Naha


 

January 4, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

After drawing a lot of attention for a comedy routine on “The Manzai 2017,” a nationally televised comedy program on Fuji Television, that featured jokes and a satirization of base construction in Okinawa in places such as Henoko in Nago City and in Takae in Higashimura, Daisuke Muramoto from the comedic duo “Woman Rush Hour” held a press even for Okinawan news agencies while on tour in Naha.

Muramoto said, “I am neither supportive or opposed to the bases,” but added “If there are people upset by the issue, whether they are in favor of or against the bases, if we are all the same Japan I think we should be able to ask, ‘What’s the matter,’ and , ‘tell me more about it.’”

 

Muramoto came up with the idea to write jokes about the base issue after an exchange with journalist Jun Hori while appearing on his internet video series.

Based on the advice of Hori, Muramoto debuted his first joke about the bases around one year ago while performing at a theater in Naha, which was met with thunderous applause.

 

“It is a delicate issue. I apologize if it offends anyone,” said Muramoto. “I was surprised. People were telling me ‘Thank you’ with tears in their eyes. I was very happy to bring people that much joy.”

He promised to tell the joke on-air to a national audience, and later that year delivered.

 

This time, when visiting Okinawa for the live performances, Muramoto visited Henoko the evening of January 1, and listened to the thoughts of Okinawans engaged in a sit-in opposing the base construction over drinks.

“I better understand the burden from everyone’s thoughts.”

 

As for the online abuse towards the anti-base movement, Muramoto stresses, “There is something to [Okinawa’s] actions.

Have a drink and a conversation with them.

Then you can understand where they are coming from. If we can’t understand fellow Japanese, there is no way we will begin to understand China, North Korea, or the U.S. I think we need to understand one another first.”

 

(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)

 

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