Gov. Tamaki calls for trilateral talks with Japanese and US governments to resolve Henoko relocation issue

Gov. Tamaki calls for trilateral talks with Japanese and US governments to resolve Henoko relocation issue

On November 14 in Washington DC, Okinawa Prefectural Governor Denny Tamaki (right) met with Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Knapper (left). (Photograph provided by Okinawa Prefecture)


 

November 16, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Washington Special Correspondent Yukiyo Zaha

 

While visiting Washington, on November 14 (November 15 in Japan) Governor Denny Tamaki met with Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Mark Knapper and Acting Director for Japan in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Paul Vosti.

Governor Tamaki expressed Okinawa’s opposition to the construction of the new base in Henoko, Nago City following the relocation of the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, and called for trilateral discussions between Okinawa, Japan, and the United States. U.S. officials have repeatedly stated that “Henoko is the only solution,” and there has been no clear response to the call for trilateral talks.

After the meeting, the Department of State issued a statement explaining that construction of the Futenma Replacement Facility is an unwavering commitment.

The first meeting between Governor Tamaki and U.S. government officials remains to be seen.

 

After the meeting Governor Tamaki told reporters, “As long as they say Henoko is the only option, this issue is deadlocked. In order to move a ship, the people in the position to steer the ship need to talk,” stressing the necessity of trilateral discussions.

 

Despite the fact that the prefectural people have repeatedly expressed opposition to construction of the new base through elections, the Japanese and the U.S. governments dismiss it.

Governor Tamaki warned, “The prefectural people are frustrated and dissatisfied with the steady U.S.-Japan alliance, to say nothing of matters such as base burden reduction efforts in Okinawa. Okinawans’ anxieties cannot be dispelled under such conditions.”

 

Governor Tamaki also explained that part of the land reclamation site is soft ground.

In order to change construction methods such as ground reinforcement, the Okinawa governor’s permission is necessary.

Tamaki said, “It will take more time to complete the construction,” but the U.S. government did not comment. He continued, “I want the U.S. and Japanese governments to remember that they are both involved parties, and are responsible for these issues.”

 

On the same day, Governor Tamaki also met with U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D), U.S. House Representative David Price (D), and U.S. Ambassador Shinsuke Sugiyama.

Governor Tamaki will conclude his 4-day visit to New York and Washington DC and will be on his way back on the 15th.

 

(English translation by T&CT and Megumi Chibana)

 

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