Taro Kono wants to raise Okinawa out of their position of Japan’s worst per-capita income “up to 46th while I am in office,” plans to review current economic policies “by the numbers”
Minister of State for Administrative Reform and Okinawa Taro Kono (left) viewing a large dragon column being repaired while visiting Shuri Castle - 9:30 a.m. on December 5 at Shuri Castle Park in Naha
December 6, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo
Taro Kono, the Minister of State for Administrative Reform and Okinawa, met with representatives from economic organizations as well as the mayors of Okinawa’s towns and cities in Naha on December 5, after arriving in Okinawa the previous evening, where they exchanged views on topics such as stimulating Okinawa’s industry, cultivating human resources, and childhood poverty. Kono indicated his plans to review prior and existing policies for stimulating Okinawa’s economy, and commented that with regards to Okinawa’s standing as the prefecture with the nation’s worst per-capita income, “I want to raise it up to 46th while I am in office.”
Prior to the meetings the minister also visited the remains of Shuri Castle, which was destroyed in a fire back in October, as well as the showroom for its reconstruction, emphasizing his support for the rebuilding process saying, “I would like to see the rebuilding be done properly without rushing. The government would like to see it rebuilt as a perfect backup copy of the original.”
This is Kono’s second visit to Okinawa since assuming the role of Minister for Okinawa. In addition to the progress of rebuilding Shuri Castle, he also observed Naha Airport’s coronavirus protocols, the U.S. military’s Naha Port Facility (Naha Military Port), as well as the military port’s new home after it is relocated to Urasoe.
At the meetings with Okinawan business leaders and mayors, they spoke about future economic development policies, saying, “we need to look at the data from the various subsidies and other projects up until now, and direct resources to where it will lead to results,” and reiterated his belief of verifying that the economic stimulus be based on effective policy.
(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)
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