Defense Writers Group
10 September 2024
Moderator: Good morning everyone, and welcome to this very special session of the Defense Writers Group. Our guest this
morning is the Governor of Okinawa Denny Tamaki. Those of you who were here a year ago, it was a really interesting discussion. I learned so very much not just about Okinawa issues but about you and your personal views of the world. Our ground rules, as always, this is on the record. Please record for accuracy of quotes, but there’s no rebroadcast of audio or video. I’ll ask the first question and then six of you asked in advance to be on the questioners list. If we get through those, we’ll go to others. And as always, we’ll save a few minutes at the end for the Governor’s closing comments.
So Governor, thank you for being with us today.
My first question goes to really one of the heartbreaking issues between your country, your people and ours, which is the
continuing violence by American servicemen against the residents of Okinawa. Just this summer two new cases of sexual
assault against Okinawa women became public. I’m just curious, sir, what are your negotiations like with the American military?
And now that you’re here in Washington, what is the official government saying to you about how this problem can be put to an end?
Governor Tamaki: [Through Interpreter] Thank you, I will be answering your questions.
