American consul general in Okinawa doused with coffee

Tuesday 07th April, 10:07 AM JST

NAHA —

Police on Monday arrested a man for throwing hot coffee on American Consul General Kevin Maher in Urasoe City, Okinawa Prefecture. According to police, Maher had gone to a coffee shop near the American Consulate, when a 43-year-old man who had just purchased hot coffee suddenly threw the beverage at him, yelling “Get out of Okinawa.” The suspect forcefully pushed the consul general in the chest.

Maher held the man until police arrived, and the suspect was charged with assault. Maher was unharmed in the incident, police said.

News reports

› Login to comment

Latest 15 of 75 Total Comments Show All

Good_Jorb at 02:20 AM JST - 8th April

Like many big tough Lefties, imagining themselves to be the brave opponents of American 'hegemony', this clown obviously had a long-standing fantasy that involved being arrested.Mission accomplished.

He could just as well be a right-wing nut, you know the ones who do not like foreigners being in Japan, including Americans and American soldiers.
Squally at 04:37 AM JST - 8th April

Burakumindes: Third rate prefecture? Well, they do have a tough time since the mainland types don't really view them as true "Japanese". They also have mainland companies setting up shop and sending their profits back to the mainland when they should be investing that money back into Okinawa. However, I'd take the laid back and accepting (more often than not) lifestyle of the uchinanchu over the busy lifestyle/superiority complex of the mainland types.
sydenham at 06:19 AM JST - 8th April

Badge123, well he accomplished something by getting the issue in the news again, even if he will be incarcerated for it. End of story, i guess.
rogerbentham at 06:33 AM JST - 8th April

what an outrage, after what America has done for Japan. that man should know what great things America has done. in fact, Japan has done too little for America.
soldave at 10:23 AM JST - 8th April

Mookoo - Do you have a source for the 5% you quoted? Would like to see that and see where the other Y30bn or so that's injected into the Okinawan economy comes from.
Mookoo at 11:37 AM JST - 8th April

Soldave, here's your data. Now quit nitpicking and get back on topic!

http://www3.pref.okinawa.jp/site/view/contview.jsp?cateid=14&id=587&page=1
alphawolf at 07:42 PM JST - 8th April

So the US takes 20% of the main Island of Okinawa.. the best, flattest, most buildable land but only contributes 5% to the economy and only employs 8400 people of an Island of 1.3 million. Nope.. I don't think they are needed for economic reasons..

aw
the_sicilian at 07:29 PM JST - 9th April
A few things:
1. The guy who did this, is not Okinawan. His surname is from mainland. So, like the protesters, is from Honshu, not Okinawa.
2. Okinawans kind of don't like the Consular General because he speaks very frankly, and in good Japanese. So they automatically associate this with being extremely pro Japan.
  1. And concerning the economy, the 5% doe snot include the money spent for all base construction that goes to Okinawan and Japanese companies. The US does not build anything, the locals do.
Oh, and before complaining about how much land the US has, you'll have to ask the Japanese Government about that.

Ciao
Mookoo at 08:43 PM JST - 9th April
Sicilian is dead wrong.
1. Japan has held Okinawa as a possession since the early 1600s. There have been mainlanders on Okinawa for 400 years. More came in the late 1800s when Okinawa became a prefecture. There are people with mainland surnames that were born and raised in Okinawa. We don't know this man's family history, and assumptions based on his name are likely false.
2. Okinawans do not have a dislike for the Consul General because of his Japanese ability. Some dislike him as one of his jobs is to put a positive spin on US military activities here. To try and spin the crime associated with the US forces. To coordinate with the embassy in Tokyo. Other Okinawans like him precisely because he can communicate in the local lingo, and does not need to leap to conclusions based on very limited English news clips.
3. The 5% in the prefectural figures are widely quoted in various reports on Okinawa. They most certainly do include the construction on bases. What do you suppose the category "Tatal (sic) revenues from military-related transactions" on the prefectural website means? Tatal revenues from military-related transactions
the_sicilian at 09:36 PM JST - 10th April

So you confirmed my first assumption. The surname is not of the Ryukyu people. And formal annexation was in 1869 I believe. Plus a lot of Chinese settled here in those times. We'll agree to disagree.

The Consular General is very frank, and those that do not like him are incensed with the way he says things. Yes, the military spin is not a help, but it comes with the job description. There wasn't this much mistrust with the last guy.

And the money, well, I have a hard time believing the US only contributes 5% to the economy. I guess between rent, conspicuous spending, base employment, and construction does not add up to more than 5%? So, how much do the North Koreans contribute (the ones who own the pachinko places)? You won't find that stat anywhere.

Ciao
ThonTaddeo at 08:19 PM JST - 11th April

Japan has held Okinawa as a possession since the early 1600s.

Well, yes, the Satsuma clan forcibly took the islands in 1609 and enslaved the people. That they were able to hold the islands for so long doesn't mean that they have any moral right to continue to exploit the Okinawans.
Mookoo at 10:13 AM JST - 12th April

Oh, those who do not like the consul general don't like the way he talks either?! Wow! Newsflash!! I bet those who do like him also like the way he talks...(I'd roll my eyes here if I could). You sure are a master logician...not.

However hard of a time you have believing the economic stats, they are acknowledged by both Japanese and American politicians and academics who work on these issues. The NK problem is nationwide, and has nothing to do with Okinawa specifically. Just a cheap gambit for a losing argument.
Isaidit at 12:32 PM JST - 12th April

I does not seem to me that this "bonehead" was trying to make a statement about Ryukyu historical occurences or a personal statement about the doused gentleman, but rather the prevailing thought in Okinawa and other places the US finds itself..."get out" It is the price to be paid whenever you are percieved as less than a guest and a bet meddlesume in the daily lives of your host. It would be the case in your own home, I'm sure.
Isaidit at 12:34 PM JST - 12th April

forgive the typos "It", "bit"
Isaidit at 12:36 PM JST - 12th April

Oh, better proof read next time..."was not" is what was meant