Archive for January, 2013

Recent News

Whale Shark Airplane unveiled

Whale Shark Airplane unveiled

December 26, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

On December 25, at Naha Airport, an unveiling ceremony was held for an airplane featuring a whale shark design for Japan TransOcean Air (JTA). It was a tie-up event marking the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and the 45th anniversary of JTA’s foundation. The aircraft will be used for five years. Ahead of its maiden flight on December 26, 40 children from Motobu were invited to enjoy a sightseeing flight.

The...

 

Onaha ends his 30-year career for Radio Okinawa’s local dialect news

Onaha ends his 30-year career for Radio Okinawa’s local dialect news

December 27, 2012 Kenta Tokumoto of Ryukyu Shimpo

On December 26, 87 year-old Zenjin Onaha, who served as an announcer for Hogen News or Okinawan dialect news for Radio Okinawa for 30 years, brought his career to an end. Hoping to promote Uchinaguchi to the public, Onaha...

Christian Festival held at Kushi in Nago to bless newborn babies

Christian Festival held at Kushi in Nago to bless newborn babies

December 28, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

On December 25, at the Kushi Community Center in Nago, a traditional Christian festival was held to bless children born that year. About 100 participants celebrated babies born from January to November and 13 parents, prayed for the healthy growth of their children....

U.S. servicemen arrested on consecutive days

December 30, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

On December 28, a Marine corporal was arrested in Naha on trespassing charges, and the next day, on December 29, Naha Police arrested a Marine lance corporal on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. The lance corporal’s vehicle collided with...

Activities for the 2nd Worldwide Youth Uchinanchu Festival have begun

Activities for the 2nd Worldwide Youth Uchinanchu Festival have begun

December 24, 2012 Sadao Tome Correspondent of Ryukyu Shimpo

Two months have passed since it was decided that the 2nd Worldwide Youth Uchinanchu Festival will be held in Los Angeles around July 2013. Two representatives from Okinawa have already been to the United States, and on November...

Wartime postcard returned by Okinawan-American

Wartime postcard returned by Okinawan-American

December 23, 2012, Ryukyu Shimpo

On December 20, an old military postcard was returned home to a bereaved family in Okinawa. About 70 years ago, Japanese soldier Ryobun Kuwae wrote this card and sent it to his friend. When Kuwae’s daughter Takako received the card from Katsue Garner, she...

First foreign low-cost carrier in Okinawa starts Seoul-Naha route

First foreign low-cost carrier in Okinawa starts Seoul-Naha route

December 25, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

On December 24, the low-cost carrier Jin Air, a subsidiary of Korean Air, commenced regular flights between Naha and Inchon, Seoul. It was the first foreign low-cost carrier to begin a route to Okinawa. The first flight to Naha was full and 73.8 percent of capacity...

Iizuka becomes Chevalier du Taste-Fromage

Iizuka becomes Chevalier du Taste-Fromage

December 21, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

Midori Iizuka, owner chef of the Italian restaurant Tedako-tei received the French traditional cheese lovers’ title Confrérie des Chevaliers du Taste-Fromage.
Her restaurant serves several dishes with French cheese and her contribution to the increasing...

Yambaru kuina returned to forest

<em>Yambaru kuina</em> returned to forest

December 22, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

On December 19, a male Yambaru kuina or Okinawan rail that was saved from an attack by crows near the Okuni Forest Road in Taiho, Ogimi Village was released back into the forest. The place in which the Okinawan rail was rescued is at the southern limit...

Governor stresses that his stance demanding the relocation of Futenma Air Station outside of Okinawa will not change

Governor stresses that his stance demanding the relocation of Futenma Air Station outside of Okinawa will not change

December 27, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

While new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe indicated that he will proceed with the plan to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to Henoko in Nago, Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima reiterated that he would seek the alternative facility for Futenma outside...

Thousands of protesters march against Osprey deployment while singing

Thousands of protesters march against Osprey deployment while singing

December 24, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

On December 23, a rally was held in Ginowan to protest against the deployment of the MV-22 Osprey to Okinawa, and against ongoing crime and incidents involving U.S. military personnel. About 3000 people from both inside and outside of the prefecture participated...