Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 10th, 2018
海外記者、玉城デニー知事をどう見た? 初訪米前に会見
How did the foreign press react to Denny Tamaki’s speech before his first visit to the U.S.?
日本滞在歴計8年で、米英でも仕事をしてきたトルコ人のフリージャーナリスト、イルグン・ヨルマズさん(47)は「沖縄が『辺野古』に反対している理由は、私も含め海外には十分伝わっていない。その意味で、訪米は理解を広めるチャンス」と指摘する。「米国で訴え、米国から日本政府にプレッシャーがかかるのなら、日本政府も聞く耳を持つのでは」と語った。
関心は、来春までに実施される県民投票だ。「イエスか、ノーかを問うことは大切。ノーが示され、それでも日本政府が民意を無視するのなら、ビッグニュースだ。日本には民主主義はないのか、と問われるだろう」(成沢解語、木村司、上遠野郷)
Turkish freelance journalist Ilgin Yorulmaz (47), who has worked in the United States and the UK for 8 years, said, "The reason Okinawa is opposed to" Henoko " removal of US base is not explained well to the outside world.
In that sense, Okinawa Governor Tamaki's visit to America is an opportunity to spread understanding. "If you appeal in the United Statesand the pressure on the Japanese government from the United States, the Japanese government will have an ear to hear", she said. There is much interest in the prefectural referendum to be held by next spring
"It is important to ask Okinawans whether their answer is yes or no. If 'No' wins, but the Japanese government still ignores the public opinion, it is big news. One is inclined to ask, in that case, if there is no democracy in Japan." Text, Kimura Shiji