February 27, 2014 Ryota Shimabukuro reports from Washington D.C.
The U.S. Congressional Research Service released a report entitled “Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress” on February 20. It praised Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima’s approval of the Henoko landfill because it allows the United States and Japan to clear an important political hurdle in the plan to relocate the Futenma base. However, it warned, “There remains a risk that heavy-handed actions by...
March 2, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
The groundbreaking ceremony of the second runway construction project of Naha Airport was held in a hotel in Naha on March 1. Currently, Naha Airport has a single runway, which is overcrowded with many arrivals and departures. The Okinawa Prefectural Government and...
February 27, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On February 16, the Owarai Futenma Gekijo, or Comedy Futenma Theater was held at Jubilance wedding center in Ginowan.
Popular Okinawan comedians performed on the stage, incorporating ideas from the audience about how to use the land returned from the...
March 2, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
An exhibition about Okinawan overseas emigration began at Japanese Overseas Migration Museum in Yokohama on March 1. The display is showing until May 11. With 118 items, it tells the story of the Okinawan people who emigrated to South American countries and Hawaii...
March 4, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
At around 10:34 a.m. March 4, an F-15C assigned to Kadena Air Base made an emergency landing at the base. The windshield of the cockpit had come off the aircraft. It is not known why the windshield fell away during flight training. The aircraft took off from the...
February 28, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
Commemorating this week’s designation of Kerama Islands as a national park, a symposium was held at Ryukyu Shimpo Hall in Izumizaki district of Naha on February 27. A keynote lecture and panel discussion focused on co-ordinating the effort to promote Kerama...
February 28, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
Okinawa has had the highest rate of fatal accidents involving drunk drivers in Japan for 24 consecutive years.
The Okinawa Prefectural Police announced the statistics on February 27.
The figures showed Okinawa has the highest number of drunk drivers...
March 2, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
At around 12:30 p.m. March 2, white smoke rose from the right engine of an MV-22 Osprey aircraft after it landed at Kadena Air Base. This vertical take-off and landing transport aircraft belongs to U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station. A witness speculated that...
February 23, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On February 17, a humpback whale swam with dozens of dolphins in the sea off the western area of Ishigaki Island. Diving shop Ohana owner Yuki Fujii took photographs of them.
According to Fujii, about 10-meter long whale swam slowly and comfortably beside...
February 26, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
The Jitchaku Lion Dance Preservation Society celebrated its 40th anniversary at a community center in Urasoe City on February 23. This shishi-mai lion dance marked the 40th anniversary of it being designated as a National Important Intangible Folk-Cultural...
February 21, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
Hong Kong Airlines will increase its round-trip flights from Hong Kong to Naha from mid-March. It will operate two round-trip flights a day. The company is aiming to expand its business by attracting tourists not only from Hong Kong but also from China and Southeast...
