The Okinawa government's office in Washington, established by former Governor Takeshi Onaga to advocate on U.S. base-related matters independently of the central government, has come under fire from opposition parties. With the opposition bloc now holding a majority in the prefectural assembly, questions have been raised about the ongoing operations and expenses of this office.
Governor Denny Tamaki, a vocal critic of the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to Henoko Point in Nago, finds himself in a contentious position as the management of the Washington office is scrutinized. The ruling coalition in national politics, comprising the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, along with Nippon Ishin, have raised concerns about the operational procedures of the office, including the revelation that it is operated by a stock company with shares owned by the prefectural government.
The opposition parties' opposition to the approved general account for fiscal 2023 highlights a growing standoff between Governor Tamaki and his detractors regarding the necessity and transparency of the Washington office. The discussions around the office's operations have brought to light discrepancies in the management of public assets and deviations from the Local Public Service Law, as the office was revealed to be operated by a for-profit company. Efforts are underway to rectify the identified flaws and provide additional explanations to address the concerns raised by the prefectural assembly.