Message from the governor on the one-year anniversary of the Shuri Castle fire (published October 23, 2020)

It has been one year since the fire that burned down eight buildings, including the Shuri Castle Seiden (main hall). I was in Korea on business that day, but I canceled everything, returned to Okinawa, and went straight to Shuri Castle. When I saw the burned down castle, I was too shocked to say anything, and I remember experiencing a sense of great loss. I haven’t forgotten that moment all year.

Be that as it may, since the day of the fire, we have received countless messages and words of encouragement from many people, sharing their desire to restore Shuri Castle and their feelings towards the castle.

For instance, one junior high school student from Yamagata Prefecture said, “You might have lost Shuri Castle, the symbol of Okinawa, but to me the smile of Okinawan people is the symbol of Okinawa. So, I hope Okinawans keep a smile on their face until Shuri Castle is reconstructed.” Another message from an Okinawan living overseas said, “Let’s work together with the Uchinanchu spirit that can lead the world.” These messages and words of support have greatly encouraged us and brought us real hope and a strong desire to restore Shuri Castle.
On this one-year anniversary of the Shuri Castle fire, I would again like to thank you for your chimugukuru, or warm heart.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government published a “Timeline for Restoration of Shuri Castle Seiden and Other Buildings” on March 27, and it has been working together with Okinawa Prefecture to secure materials such as Okinawan-sourced lumber and ensure the employment of traditional skills and expertise for reconstruction of Shuri Castle Seiden by 2026.

Furthermore, the Okinawa Prefectural Government announced “Core Principles for the Shuri Castle Restoration Project” on December 26 to demonstrate that this project, along with reconstruction of castle buildings, also involves the preservation of historical and cultural elements represented by Shuri Castle.

Based on this principle and with consideration of expert opinion, a “Core Policy for the Shuri Castle Restoration Project” was established on April 23. Some programs related to this project have already started. Furthermore, we are planning to establish a more detailed plan for this project by next March, and have it reflected in the latest version of the Okinawa Promotion Plan.

As of October 19, we have received \3,307,926,126 in donations for this project. Donations collected in Naha City will be transferred to Okinawa Prefecture, and the total will be more than \4.8 billion. We very much appreciate the kindness and generosity of these donations, and the money will be used for the reconstruction of Shuri Castle Seiden and other facilities at the site.
Working with the government, we have agreed on allocating money to secure the wood materials that are a very important element as a first step in reconstructing Shuri Castle Seiden. The next step will be utilizing the money for making symbolic red roof tiles and recreating stone carved dairyuchu (dragon pillars), with the help of Okinawan experts in the field who employ traditional techniques.

In this way, for the past year since the fire we have been working on the project to restore Shuri Castle, with the help and support of people inside and outside of the prefecture. However, the spread of COVID-19 has taken away the Uchinanchu smiles which are another symbol of Okinawan people.

Even in these difficult circumstances, many events are being held in conjunction with various companies and media outlets; there have been more than 20 events including the ones Okinawa Prefectural Government hosted.
For example, the Ryukyu Dynasty parade at the Ryukyu Dynasty Festival, traditional performing arts, and a karate demonstration at Shuri Castle have all taken place. Also, there has been projection mapping that utilizes the latest technology, VR (virtual reality) tours where you can experience the history and culture encapsulated in Shuri Castle, and other events to portray people’s hope to restore Shuri Castle, and a special video featuring this project is being made to help energize Okinawan people and keep them positive.
  These events, planned and implemented voluntarily by different companies and organizations, once again indicate that Shuri Castle is a symbol of Okinawa, and these activities display the power of Okinawans. Okinawa Prefectural Government would like to use these activities as a framework, connect and work together with people inside and outside of the prefecture towards their own restoration projects, and implement a sustainable plan for the castle restoration.

From the next fiscal year, more visible outcomes of this restoration project will start to show. Building on that, we would like to promote projects to learn about the history and culture of Okinawa, to foster a sense of pride and love of home, and to promote ways to pass on these cultural assets. We will also establish a learning environment within Shuri Castle grounds, which is also a significant historical wartime site.

Following the decisions of the “Shuri Castle Fire Prevention Committee” established by Okinawa Prefectural Government, based on lessons learned from the fire and subsequent reflections there will be installation of more effective fire-prevention equipment under a more efficient management structure.

We will continue to do everything we can to restore Shuri Castle. We would like to work together to realize this plan with people inside and outside of the prefecture. I would like to thank you once more for your support over the past year, and ask you again for your continued help and cooperation in this regard.

October 23, 2020
Denny Tamaki, Governor of Okinawa Prefecture