Okinawa Prefectural Government's Washington Office Under Scrutiny
The Okinawa prefectural government's office in Washington, D.C., has come under scrutiny from opposition parties in the prefectural assembly. The office, established in 2015 by then-Governor Takeshi Onaga, serves as a platform for the prefecture to independently lobby the U.S. government and public on issues related to U.S. military bases in Okinawa.
Governor Denny Tamaki, a staunch opponent of U.S. bases in the prefecture, has faced pressure from the opposition to justify the office's continued operation and address concerns regarding its management. The opposition parties, including the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Komeito, and Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party), have questioned the validity of the office and its operational procedures.
One major point of contention is the office's legal status. The LDP and its allies argue that prefectural officials working at a for-profit company, as the office is currently structured, violate the Local Public Service Law unless they obtain the governor's permission. The prefectural government maintains that it considered registering the office as a nonprofit corporation but was advised by the U.S. government that a stock company was necessary for engaging in political activities. However, details remain unclear due to the unavailability of relevant documents.
Furthermore, the opposition parties have raised concerns about the lack of transparency in the office's management. They point to the fact that the office has been operated by a stock company in which the prefectural government holds shares, without proper oversight and accountability. The prefectural government has acknowledged shortcomings in its management and has apologized to the assembly members.
The LDP plans to hold Governor Tamaki accountable for the issues surrounding the Washington office. They argue that while the governor may have his own views on the office's necessity, violations of rules cannot be overlooked. The prefectural government has committed to rectifying the identified flaws and providing further explanation to the assembly.
The controversy surrounding the Washington office highlights the ongoing tensions between the Okinawa prefectural government and the central government regarding U.S. military bases in the prefecture. The opposition parties' scrutiny of the office's operations reflects their concerns about the potential misuse of public funds and the lack of transparency in the prefecture's dealings with the U.S. government. Governor Tamaki faces the challenge of addressing these concerns while upholding his commitment to advocating for Okinawa's interests on the issue of U.S. military bases.