Archive for May, 2013

Recent News

Agreement to use Thai rice for awamori brewing

Agreement to use Thai rice for <em>awamori</em> brewing

May 23, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

On May 22, the Prefectural Brewing Association and the Thai Rice Exporters Association entered into an agreement to promote the use of Thai rice for awamori brewing. They agreed on the safety and stable supply of Thai rice and activities to help expand the market for awamori. They will also work together to develop new projects. Thai Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom attended the signing ceremony held at the Imperial Hotel in Chiyoda-ku,...

 

Removal of Cold War-era US nuclear base almost complete

Removal of Cold War-era US nuclear base almost complete

May 24, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

On May 23, the Okinawa Defense Bureau showed the media a vacant lot in the Gimbaru Training Area where Mace B surface-launched missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads were based. The Gimbaru Training Area was returned to the Kin Municipal Office in 2011. The...

Three cases involving military personnel on duty not being subject to punishment

Three cases involving military personnel on duty not being subject to punishment

May 24, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

Of the 188 cases resulting injury and death involving U.S. service members in Japan that have occurred on duty during the period from 2009 to 2011, three were processed as being not subject to punishment.

While disciplinary action was taken against service...

Citizens of Okinawa City guide students from main islands of Japan around Koza

Citizens of Okinawa City guide students from main islands of Japan around Koza

May 24, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

On May 20, in the area around Goya Crossroads, the Okinawa City Tourist Information Center conducted a guided walking tour of what used to be Koza City (now Okinawa City) for students on a school excursion. Twenty-four local citizens guided 119 students of Nara Gakuen...

Fantastic lights from fireflies in Ogimi Village

Fantastic lights from fireflies in Ogimi Village

May 21, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

Since Okinawa entered the rainy season on May 17, fireflies have been adding a mysterious glow to the nights in Kijoka, Ogimi Village. They are the Luciola kuroiwae species of firefly, which is about 5 mm long.

People enjoyed the light show for about one hour...

Large eel appears on road

Large eel appears on road

May 20, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

On May 16, an eel 1.4-meter long weighing 7.6-kilogram was found on the road in the Katsurenhama district of Uruma. A resident picked it up and took it the local community center. Hama Ward Chief Yoshiteru Shinzato said that he was very surprised to see...

Business leaders from Okinawa and the main islands of Japan to hold Okinawa International Trade Conference

Business leaders from Okinawa and the main islands of Japan to hold Okinawa International Trade Conference

May 22, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

To mark its 25th anniversary, the Okinawa Social Committee, which is made up of business leaders from Okinawa and the main islands of Japan, will hold the Okinawa Trade Conference in November 2014. They will also hold a pre-trade conference this November. On May 21,...

Sanshin fans promote Okinawan culture in Paris

<em>Sanshin</em> fans promote Okinawan culture in Paris

May 12, 2013 Sadaharu Shimabukuro of the Ryukyu Shimpo

French and Japanese sanshin fans living in Paris have been giving sanshin performances in events around France. Focusing mainly on folk songs, they have practiced once or twice a week since 2009. “Anyone can get into...

Jazz performed at Golden Hall in Futenma Temple

Jazz performed at Golden Hall in Futenma Temple

May 13, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

On May 9, the 6th Jazz Concert in Jinguji was held at Futenma Temple in Ginowan. The main hall where worshippers normally come changed into a concert hall during the day. The audience filled the hall, enjoying the music played by local bands Aki Band, Sax ensemble...

US condemns Osaka mayor’s remarks on WW II comfort women

May 18, 2013 Ryota Shimabukuro of Ryukyu Shimpo reports from Washington D.C.

On May 16, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki denounced the remarks made by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto regarding the so-called comfort women during the Second World War. “Mayor Hashimoto’s comments were...

Tanaka wins second prize in the Miss Universe Okinawa pageant

Tanaka wins second prize in the Miss Universe Okinawa pageant

May 13, 2013 Sadao Tome, correspondent of Ryukyu Shimpo

Okinawa International University fourth-year student Atsumi Tanaka won second prize in the Miss Universe Okinawa pageant. Tanaka said, “Getting into the Miss Universe Pageant was both a challenge and an opportunity. It was the first...