Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki, October 31 in Naha City (©Sankei by Naoki Otake).
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A cloud of uncertainty is beginning to loom over the future of the Okinawa Prefecture DC Office. Located in the American capital, it was revealed that the office, registered as a stock company-operated corporation, was not operating as such. Additionally, it was found that the office submitted false documents to the United States government when applying for staff work visas.
The majority faction of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly, led by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has taken a critical view of the office. It questioned Governor Denny Tamaki about the allegations in the prefectural assembly session that opened on November 26.
Visa Issues
Former Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga, elected as an independent, established the Washington office in April 2015. Onaga opposed the relocation of the US military's Futenma Air Base (Ginowan City) to Henoko in Nago City. He set up the office to address Okinawa's disputes related to US bases.
According to the prefecture, the US Department of State deemed the establishment of an Okinawa office as a nonprofit organization "inappropriate." In response, the prefecture sought advice from US lawyers. Based on their recommendations, it set up the office as a wholly owned subsidiary named Okinawa Prefecture DC Office Inc.
When applying for staff visas for the office, Okinawa Prefecture inaccurately reported their titles as "president" and similar executive positions. Documents submitted to the US Immigration Service claimed that the staff "would not be employed directly by Okinawa Prefecture." It also stated that "the corporation manages the employment."
However, those staff members actually continued to serve as public servants under the prefecture's employment.
Financial Concerns
A prefectural official emphasized, "[The titles] were a necessary entry for registering as a corporation. The application was filed as required by US Law. It is hard to believe that an administrative organization would deliberately submit false documents." However, they added, "We are currently reviewing the circumstances of the [visa] application process."
The office assists Governor Denny Tamaki during his visits to the US. Furthermore, rather than coordinating with a national position through the Embassy of Japan in Washington, the office directly communicates the prefecture's own stance to US officials through ongoing exchanges.
Meanwhile, the office's annual operating costs, including personnel expenses, total around ¥100 million JPY ($664,000 USD). This has led conservative members of the prefectural assembly to raise concerns about its cost-effectiveness.
LDP Calls for Action
In the June prefectural elections, Governor Tamaki's All Okinawa coalition parties suffered a crushing defeat. Conservative lawmakers subsequently regained a majority for the first time in 16 years.
A senior member of the LDP Okinawa chapter commented on the matter. "In the past, when we raised concerns (about the office), the prefecture would simply dismiss them," they said. "However, the outcome of the election has shifted the situation. We will now demand all the documents."
Pressure from the LDP is now mounting as it considers the possibility of shutting down the office. On October 31, Governor Tamaki addressed the controversy in a regular press conference: "We are currently investigating so that we can provide a proper explanation. I would, therefore, like to request some time."
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Author: Naoki Otake
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