EDITORIAL | Shut Down the Illegal Okinawa 'Diplomatic' Office in the US

Okinawa Prefecture has continued its farce of conducting "diplomacy" regarding United States military bases in the islands.

Several years ago, the prefecture established an office in Washington, DC, "to resolve the base issue." However, this office was falsely registered as a joint-stock company. When that was discovered, the prefectural assembly rejected the 2023 general account settlement.

Furthermore, when applying for an American visa permitting Japanese nationals to work at the office, the person in charge was listed as "president" of the "company." In reality, however, that person was a prefectural employee.

The individual in question also submitted false documents to the US immigration authorities. In the document, they stated, "[They] would not be directly employed by Okinawa Prefecture." Moreover, the matter was not reported to the prefectural assembly as required by law.

That a local government would act in such cavalier fashion is astonishing. No wonder the prefectural assembly refused to approve the budget. Okinawa Prefecture must shut down this illegal Washington office without delay.

*Reclamation work for the relocation of the US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma continues in Oura Bay off the coast of Henoko, Nago City, in Okinawa, August, 2024.*

Washington Office with a History

The office was established in 2015 by then-Governor Takeshi Onaga. He wanted to protest the plan to relocate US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from Ginowan City to Henoko in Nago City and conduct other advocacy.

The prefecture's initial idea was to register it as a non-profit business. However, the US State Department pointed out that the purpose of the entity was "political" in nature. Thereafter, on the advice of local lawyers, a corporation wholly owned (100% investment) by Okinawa prefecture was established instead.

These circumstances were not made public, however. Also, the shares acquired at the time of the company's establishment were not registered as public property of the prefecture.

This situation continued even after Governor Denny Tamaki took office. Under Tamaki, the prefecture has allocated about ¥100 million JPY ($650,000 USD) each fiscal year in its annual budget. These funds pay for personnel and activity costs related to the office.

Expressing 'Remorse' Isn't Enough

After the issue came to light, Governor Tamaki stated at a press conference that he was "deeply remorseful." But this is not something that can be resolved with a simple apology. An investigation is called for.

*Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki spoke at a symposium held by the Hudson Institute in Washington on September 9 (©Kyodo)*

The citizens of Okinawa Prefecture are owed an explanation as to why these illegal practices have continued for so many years. Those responsible must also be punished.

That Tamaki has indicated he wants to keep the office operating defies reason. Prefectural officials have considered the office the base for their "independent diplomacy" regarding the base issue. As well, they have used it to facilitate the governor's visits to the US.

However, diplomacy and security are matters under the exclusive jurisdiction of the national government. Okinawa Prefecture has no authority whatsoever over them. This dual diplomacy being practiced by the prefectural government runs directly counter to national policy. More significantly, it is severely harming the national interest.

Armed vessels from the China Coast Guard have been escalating provocations around the Okinawan Senkaku Islands. Additionally, there are concerns that a Taiwan contingency could directly lead to a Japan emergency.

Does Governor Tamaki truly comprehend the reality that the Self-Defense Forces and US military stationed in Okinawa act as a deterrent and protect the lives and property of the Japanese people? Including the residents of Okinawa Prefecture that he was elected to represent?