Archive for May, 2013

Recent News

Kuroiwae cicada’s first song heard earlier than ever before

Kuroiwae cicada’s first song heard earlier than ever before

May 10, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

On May 2, in the pine forests of Zakimi in Yomitan, Okinawa Meteorological Observatory confirmed hearing the first song of the Platypleura kuroiwae species of cicada. This is the earliest since they started monitoring it in 1958. According to previous data, this cicada usually first announces its presence on June 3, but last year it was on May 7.

This species inhabits the Ryukyu and Amami Islands. The meteorological observatory has been monitoring their...

 

Marines will be at Futenma for the next 10 to 15 years

May 11, 2013 Ryota Shimabukuro of Ryukyu Shimpo reports from Washington D.C.

Maj. Gen. James Kessler, commander of the Marine Corps Installations Command, told a Senate hearing, “We will be at Futenma for probably the next 10 to 15 years.” On May 9, at a subcommittee meeting of the Senate...

Ishigaki and Kauai commemorate 50th anniversary of sister-city relationship

Ishigaki and Kauai commemorate 50th anniversary of sister-city relationship

May 11, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

On May 10, in Kauai, Hawaii, Ishigaki City and Kauai County marked the 50th anniversary of their establishing a sister city relationship. The Ishigaki Municipal Government and Kauai Community College exchanged memorandums on international interaction to commemorate...

Naha team wins traditional dragon boat race

Naha team wins traditional dragon boat race

May 6, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

Many families and tourists visited Naha Port on May 5, the final day of the Naha Harii 2013 dragon boat race. It was slightly overcast in the morning, but the skies became clear in the afternoon and overall the three-day event was blessed with fine weather....

More than 100 Marines parachute jump from MV-22

May 5, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

On May 3, at the Ie Jima Auxiliary Airfield, the U.S. military conducted parachute training from MV-22 Osprey vertical take-off and landing transport aircraft. The training occurred 19 times over three consecutive days with a total of 15 aircraft flying to the airfield.

Up...

Civic group claims road construction is affecting woodpeakers

Civic group claims road construction is affecting woodpeakers

May 3, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

On May 2, Chosei Tamaki, the head of the Move Through Nature of Yambaru Association, an environmental non-governmental organization, submitted a formal complaint to the Nago Police Station. He said there is a possibility that construction work is adversely affecting...

Kin business group publishes booklet to promote Taimo sweets

Kin business group publishes booklet to promote <em>Taimo</em> sweets

April 29, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

In order to promote sweets made with locally produced taimo, at the end of March the Kin Town Commerce and Industry Association published a booklet called “Taamu Sweets.” They printed 10,000 copies and will give them away for free. The association...

Noro prays for Naha dragon boat race at Tomigusuku Castle ruins

<em>Noro</em> prays for Naha dragon boat race at Tomigusuku Castle ruins

April 30, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

On April 28, the eleventh festival commemorating the origin of Harii dragon boat racing was held in front of the Tomise-utaki in Tomigusuku Castle Park. Tomigusuku is said to be where harii dragon boat races started. At the ritual, Tomigusuku...

15,000 carp streamers at Peace Memorial Park

15,000 carp streamers at Peace Memorial Park

May 3, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

On April 27, the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Foundation held the Peace Memorial Carp Streamer Festival 2013 at the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Park in Mabuni, Itoman. The aim of the event was to let the young generation know about people’s experiences...

Turtles born in Nagoya aquarium released into Kuroshima sea

Turtles born in Nagoya aquarium released into Kuroshima sea

May 4, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

For two years, the Nagoya Public Aquarium and the Kuroshima Research Station have been carrying out a project for reintroducing hawksbill turtles into the wild. This is a project that involves breeding this variety of turtles, an endangered species, in the aquarium...

Ring of light surrounding the sun appears in sky

Ring of light surrounding the sun appears in sky

May 3, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

At round noon on May 2, a halo, or circle of light like a rainbow that appears around the sun, could be seen in the sky above Okinawa. Shading their eyes with their hands, people looked up at the sky to see the mysterious scene, taking pictures with the cameras in...