Dozens of Japanese journalists from different wire agencies, magazines, newspapers and TV networks have been traveling to Saipan since Miura’s arrest here on Feb. 22.
Miura’s detention somehow breathed a new life to the ailing local tourism industry, sparking renewed interest in Saipan among Japanese tourists since Japan Airlines pulled out its flights from the island in late 2005.
While here, the visiting Japanese journalists rented cars, hotel rooms and dined in restaurants.
The governor said in jest he doesn’t want them to leave after Miura’s extradition.
He then instructed Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. to “tell Corrections that these people are requesting that they be allowed to cover [the Miura extradition].”
Corrections Commissioner Lino S. Tenorio is on personal leave from today until Oct. 13.
The governor appointed Gregory F. Castro as the acting commissioner of the Department of Corrections.
Los Angeles Police Department veteran Detective Rick Jackson and his partner Richard Bengtson are expected to arrive tonight to escort Miura back to the city where he will stand trial for conspiracy to commit murder.
Miura is wanted in California on the charge that he plotted the fatal shooting of his then 28-year-old wife in Los Angeles in 1981.
After her death, Miura later collected tens of thousands of dollars in insurance payouts.
On Sept. 26, Los Angeles Judge Steven Van Sicklen dropped the murder charge against Miura who was acquitted of the crime in Japan 10 years ago.
However, the judge also ruled that L.A. prosecutors can still prosecute Miura for conspiracy which carries a penalty of 25 years to life imprisonment.
Miura, 61, agreed to go with the LAPD detectives after the judge made his ruling.
He vowed to continue his fight in California. Hollywood attorney Mark Geragos is handling his case there.
