Core Policy for the Shuri Castle Restoration Project (April 24, 2020)

Summary of governor’s remarks at the scheduled briefing on April 24

In accordance with the Core Principles for the Shuri Castle Restoration Project established on December 26, 2019, Okinawa Prefectural Government has received a wide range of guidance from experts in the field regarding the project. In order to reflect this advice into the core policy, we have set up a committee of experts discussion group for the Core Policy for the Shuri Castle Restoration Project. Also, we have summarized the contents of the discussion and opinions from the national government and Naha City into the Okinawa Prefectural Government’s core policy.

The main points are: 1) installing preventative safety measures in the facility, 2) suggesting a shift of focus from “viewing” to “utilizing” Shurijo Castle Park, 3) reevaluating historical urban planning, the “Historical Shuri Project,” to match the times and meet the needs of the social environment, 4) planning restoration of Nakagusuku-udun (prince’s palace) located inside the prefectural park grounds and Enkakuji Temple, and discussing with the national government and Naha City to decide how to utilize the site of the old Uchaya-udun (villa for guests), and 5) reevaluating the historical value of the 32nd Military Headquarters Trench Remains as part of Okinawa’s effort to send a peace-seeking message to the world.

Okinawa Prefectural Government will continue to work together with the national government and Naha City to establish a core plan which incorporates the core policy.

In this serious global surge of COVID-19, Okinawa Prefectural Government is currently asking people to follow “one-in-five action in Okinawa,¹” a prefectural measure to prevent the spread of the virus. Everything has an end, even a situation such as this one. Therefore, the prefectural government continues to move forward towards Shuri Castle restoration so that many Okinawans can head towards a brighter and more hopeful future. We would like to ask for your continued support and understanding for this project.
¹Okinawa Prefecture has announced a prefectural state of emergency, and asked all Okinawans to cut down social activities by 80%; that is to say, to follow the “one-in-five action” as a COVID-19 preventative measure.