Archive for February, 2014

Recent News

Number of tourists to Okinawa reaches new high in January 2014

February 21, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 20, the Okinawa Prefectural Government announced the number of tourists who came to Okinawa in January 2014. The number was 495,100, a new monthly record. This represents a 15.2 percent increase over the same period the previous year. The number of tourists who came to Okinawa has exceeded the previous year’s records for 16 consecutive months since October 2012. In addition to New Year’s holidays which were longer than usual, the travel...

 

Vibe Inc. to co-develop electric-propulsion ship for use in Ishigaki Island

Vibe Inc. to co-develop electric-propulsion ship for use in Ishigaki Island

February 23, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 14, Vibe Inc., an affiliate company of Bandai Namco Holdings, announced that it will co-develop an electric-propulsion ship with Kuniken Ltd., and the Shin-Itoman Ship Yard Co. The companies plan to complete building the ship this October. They aim...

Lunch break Peace March commemorates 30 years

Lunch break Peace March commemorates 30 years

February 22, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

The “lunch break peace march” commemorated 30 years on February 21. This has been held by a citizen group every Friday to call for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the promotion of peace. On this day, they marched around the Okinawa Prefectural Office...

Nago Mayor sends letter to international intellectuals who oppose Henoko relocation

Nago Mayor sends letter to international intellectuals who oppose Henoko relocation

February 22, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 21, Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine sent a letter to 29 international intellectuals who released a statement that opposes moving U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to the Henoko district in Nago. These intellectuals include filmmaker Oliver Stone.

Inamine...

Naha Mayor claims Okinawan economy doesn’t depend on US bases

Naha Mayor claims Okinawan economy doesn’t depend on US bases

February 19, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

Naha Mayor Takeshi Onaga announced his administrative policy for the new fiscal year at a regular meeting of the City Council held on February 18.

Onaga talked about promoting the use of the land returned by the U.S. military. He said, “The Japanese...

English translation of environmental assessment report submitted to Marine Corps lacks information on dugongs

English translation of environmental assessment report submitted to Marine Corps lacks information on dugongs

February 9, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

Before February 8, the Okinawa Defense Bureau provided the U.S. Marine Corps with the application documents for the Henoko landfill to prepare for moving Futenma Air Station and the environmental impact assessment report. The bureau gave the Marine Corps the full...

Young people hold flash mob to send message to Ambassador Kennedy

Young people hold flash mob to send message to Ambassador Kennedy

February 12, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 11, a gathering, “Listen and tell Okinawa’s voices and thoughts, Ambassador Kennedy” was held in the public square in front of the Okinawa Prefectural Government Office. About 60 young people performed a flash mob with up-tempo music to send...

Soil contaminated with harmful substance at U.S. helicopter crash site

February 19, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 18, the U.S. military announced the result of testing of soil at the site where an HH-60 rescue helicopter belonging to U.S. Air Force Kadena Air Base crashed in Camp Hansen in Ginoza last August. The lead level in one sample was 0.744 milligrams...

Okinawa accepts technical intern trainees from Indonesia

Okinawa accepts technical intern trainees from Indonesia

February 13, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

To accept foreign on-the-job trainees, the fisheries industry and farmers set up the Churashima Cooperative Union. The union accepted 13 trainees from Indonesia this month and began training programs such as Japanese language classes. It is the first time for...

Okinawa rail named Kyonkyon

Okinawa rail named Kyonkyon

February 16, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

The name of the Okinawa rail that the learning center in the Ada district of Kunigami Village has been raising is Kyonkyon. Six-year-old Riria Kinjo of Hentona Kindergarten came up with the name. The center invited children, including Kinjo to hold a ceremony...

Jurukunichi Festival for celebrating the New Year with ancestors

Jurukunichi Festival for celebrating the New Year with ancestors

February 16, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

Okinawan people hold the Jurukunichi Festival or the New Year’s Day of the Dead on February 15 when is January 16 according to the Chinese calendar. In fine weather, more than ten families gathered to set tables on carpets in the Miegusuku district of Naha....