Using the massive fire in Itoigawa, Niigata, this chapter highlights the realities of public infrastructure and national burden in Japan, linking them to Okinawa’s tax allocation and base issues, and directly addressing the people of Okinawa.

I believe the people of Okinawa must also have seen this news, and therefore I want all Okinawans to know it.
2016-12-27
Regarding the recent great fire in Itoigawa.
What astonished me about this news was that on that day I happened to be in Umeda on business, and I saw reports on my smartphone that a fire had broken out in Itoigawa.
I was shocked to learn from the evening news after returning home that the fire was still spreading.
I wondered whether this could truly be the state of Japan, a country that possesses the world’s highest level of intellect and freedom and that must lead the world alongside the United States.
At the same time, many Japanese citizens must have thought, as I did, what on earth a governor with a background so vehemently opposed to nuclear power—one that even gives the impression of being manipulable by Chinese or South Korean intelligence services—had been doing in his role.
Shortly after the fire was extinguished, many Japanese citizens learned for the first time that Itoigawa is famous for its strong winds and that such dangers had been anticipated.
Nevertheless, we also learned for the first time that there was a shortage of fire hydrants, and that although many fire engines rushed in from other cities and neighboring prefectures, they proved ineffective, resulting in such an unbelievable conflagration.
I believe the people of Okinawa Prefecture must also have seen this news, and that is why I wish to inform all Okinawans.
In other words, Japanese citizens have even cut back on funds needed to install fire hydrants in Itoigawa, and Okinawans should remember that after the war Okinawa was seized by the United States, which placed military bases there because of Okinawa’s geopolitical significance.
As already noted, bases are not located only in Okinawa but exist in many parts of Japan.
Okinawans, the time has long since come for us to consider, with a sound and honest spirit, that we have continued to invest the largest share of our taxes—and even our lives—into Okinawa.
Takeshi Onaga was once at the forefront of extracting tax revenues from the Japanese government, and during his time as mayor of Naha he promoted the relocation of the Naha Military Port to Urasoe, secured the return of the Naha port, and reclaimed land off Urasoe to build and relocate a new military port.
The time has long since come to recognize that this man’s bizarre change of stance is no trivial matter.