Okinawa's new leader wants Americans to stop U.S. base

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The bicultural, newly elected governor of the southern Japanese island prefecture of Okinawa plans to visit the United States with a message to the American people: Stop building a disputed military base and build peace instead.

"I want the American people to understand what has been, what is and what will be, to solve this problem," Denny Tamaki told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday at the Tokyo office for Okinawa Prefecture.

Tamaki took office Oct. 4 after campaigning for a disputed U.S. Marine air base to be moved entirely off the island and for the American military presence on Okinawa to be reduced. The tiny island hosts about half of the 54,000 American troops stationed in Japan and accounts for 64 percent of the land used for U.S. military bases (in Japan).

Tamaki, 59, is the first person with an American parent to lead Okinawa, and he stressed that his bicultural roots make him perfect to relay a message to the U.S. public. His father is a U.S. Marine he has never met. His mother, who raised him in Okinawa, burned all his father's letters and photos, Tamaki recalled.

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201810310065.html

[FM123]

1. His words really moved me:

"There are many people like me," he said, adding that he wanted to build a peaceful, prosperous and gentle society.

"Okinawa is a place where people have a spirit of sharing, and that is an important part of my identity."