New governor Denny Tamaki will work to prevent construction of Henoko base
On October 4 at the Prefectural Office, Governor Denny Tamaki held an inaugural press conference and answered questions from the press.
October 4, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo
At 1:55 p.m. on October 4, Denny Tamaki, 58, held an inaugural press conference in the Prefectural Office’s special conference room. At the beginning of the press conference Tamaki made a statement as the new governor, “I will follow the wishes of the late governor Onaga to create a prosperous Okinawa with pride in the hearts of the prefectural people.
We will work to take on a democratic attitude that will guide us to solutions through dialogues with the central government.
We will also make full efforts to close Futenma Air Station as soon as possible, and stop construction of the new base in Henoko.
It is likely that Tamaki will be in a tough position in confrontations with the Japanese government, such as discussing the state taking measures against the revocation of Henoko land reclamation approval.
Tamaki emphasized that the prefectural government has the authority to revoke approval.
He said, “We urge the central government to comply with the decision to revoke [approval], and to use all tools available to spread the Okinawan peoples’ will to the international community.”
Meanwhile, he said, “I think it is necessary to start seeking windows for dialogue with Japan and the United States.”
He also stated his hope to seek an audience soon with the central government, in part through his inaugural address.
In addition to positioning countermeasures to child poverty as the most important task of the prefectural administration, Tamaki also voiced his wish to establish an independent economy.
He commented on the new Okinawan Promotion Plan 50 years after Okinawa’s reversion to Japan, saying, “We will lead the Japanese economy as a top runner in terms of scale and speed.”
(English translation by T&CT and Megumi Chibana)
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