Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki's Hollow Trip to the US

Governor Denny Tamaki visited the United States in September. His primary purpose was an appeal to US government officials to reduce the burden of its military bases on Okinawa. Commenting on the recent revelation of two sexual assault cases involving US servicemen, he also called for the prevention of similar behavior in the future. 

On the other hand, he did not mention the threats from China facing Okinawa. One comes from the frequent intrusions of Chinese ships into the territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands (Ishigaki City). Instead, his remarks in Washington were punctuated by calls for "reconciliation with China."

During his visits to the US State Department and Department of Defense, he protested against incidents committed by US soldiers. Likewise, he firmly opposed relocating the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station, in the middle of Ginowan City, to Henoko. But in both departments, he was handled by the head of the Japan desk. According to the prefecture, he confirmed that "when problems arise, they will be dealt with swiftly, transparently and effectively."

Nevertheless, there have been cases where prefectural governors visiting the United States met with the Secretary of State. The US government treated Governor Tamaki in a businesslike manner during his visit, nothing more and nothing less. Undoubtedly, the governor's political stance was likely the biggest reason why the governor did not receive special treatment.

China Stance From Another Era

Governor Tamaki also met with members of a US think tank. There, he expressed concern about the tough stance taken by Japan and the United States toward China. "The phrase 'A Taiwan emergency is a Japan emergency' has taken on a life of its own, to the point of being dangerous," he declared

In New York, he delivered a speech at Columbia University. Taking the same stance, he said, "Strengthening military power alone will only increase tensions. We need to ease tensions and build trust through diplomacy." Then he proclaimed that the prefecture is engaged in its own unique "regional diplomacy."

However, China's aggressive actions are intensifying around Taiwan and in the South China Sea. In that light, deterrence against China is an urgent issue for both Japan and the US. While there is a certain significance in the governor's appeal for a reduction in the burden of the bases, it is not difficult to imagine that his words and actions denying their deterrent effect would have been seen as anachronistic by American officials.

A Mayor on the Front Line

At the end of August, just before Governor Tamaki's trip, Yonaguni Mayor Kenichi Itokazu also visited Washington. Yonaguni, in Okinawa Prefecture, is one of Japan's closest points to Taiwan. In his meetings with US government officials, he called for strengthening deterrence to prevent a "Taiwan emergency." The two leaders, both from Okinawa, therefore made completely opposite appeals.

In May, US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel visited Yonaguni Island for the first time and met with Itokazu. The US government must have placed more importance on Itokazu's remarks. Meanwhile, they may have had the impression that Tamaki was a governor who did not understand the crisis facing Okinawa, which is on the front line against China.

Blind Bragging Rights

In any event, Governor Tamaki's visit to the United States was widely reported in Okinawa Prefecture. Moreover, the governor praised his Washington visit, saying, "We achieved a variety of results and it was very meaningful."

But can it be said that it has produced results that benefit the people and prefecture of Okinawa?

Governor Tamaki's activities span the globe, from his UN speech in 2023 to his visit to Washington this time. But for the people of Okinawa, there is no sense that his overseas trips have improved the situation, whether it be Futenma or the Senkaku Islands. 

However, as a performance with an eye on the gubernatorial election two years from now, it may have been a good one. 

RELATED:

• Defense of Okinawa Depends On the Self-Determination of Japan
• INTERVIEW | Ken Weinstein of Hudson Institute on Forging Better Relations in Okinawa
• Chinese Naval Base Expansion Near Senkakus a New Concern
• INTERVIEW | Denny Tamaki, the Okinawa Governor 'At Loggerheads' with Tokyo
  
  

(Read the report in Japanese.)

Author: Makoto Nakashinjo, Editor-in-Chief of the Yaeyama Nippo Newspaper (Okinawa)