Defense Writers Group
8 March 2023
Moderator: Welcome to this Defense Writers Group with Governor of Okinawa Denny Tamaki. Sir, we are very honored to have you here.
As always, our ground rules, this is on the record, but there is no reposting of audio or video. Still photographs for your web sites are absolutely fine.
I’ll ask the first question as always. Seven or eight of you emailed in advance to get on the questioners list. When we go through those we’ll take questions from the floor.
Governor, welcome sir.
You’re in Washington at a very dynamic time as the United States is reaching out to Japan, Australia, the Philippines to help bolster America’s defense against China. There’s much discussion about more or new troop deployments to Okinawa, a place that many of us have visited and feel very fond about.
Sir, I’d like to ask you, what is your message to Washington at this time?
Governor Tamaki: It’s going to be a little long answer.
Moderator: The floor is yours.
Governor Tamaki: Good morning. How are you? I came from Okinawa, Japan. I am Denny Tamaki, Governor of Okinawa Prefecture. It is my pleasure to be here. Thank you for hosting me this morning. It’s a great pleasure to meet you all. I will do my very best to make today’s session beneficial to all of you.
