Archive for February, 2014

Recent News

Naha Airport opens new international terminal building

Naha Airport opens new international terminal building

February 17, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

Naha Airport opened a new international passenger terminal building on February 17. The opening ceremony took place in the building. The officials of the central and prefectural governments and representatives of the airlines celebrated the start of ‘a new gateway to foreign countries from Okinawa.’ Yoritaka Hanashiro, president of the Naha Airport Building Co., which manages and maintains the international building, said in her speech, “Okinawa...

 

2,000 protesters surround Government Office to demand Okinawa Governor’s resignation

2,000 protesters surround Government Office to demand Okinawa Governor’s resignation

February 14, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

Last December Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima approved the landfill application for the replacement of the U.S. Futenma Air Station to Henoko, Nago. On February 14, a citizens group and four opposition parties of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly held a rally...

Japan’s oldest shell tools found in Sakitari Cave in Okinawa

Japan's oldest shell tools found in Sakitari Cave in Okinawa

February 16, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum announced on February 15 that archaeologists have unearthed 39 items of shell tools, accessories and human bones in the Sakitari Cave in Nanjo City.

Carbon dating of charcoal from the same formation suggests...

Nago Mayor to visit U.S. to voice opposition to Henoko relocation plan

Nago Mayor to visit U.S. to voice opposition to Henoko relocation plan

February 14, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

In Tokyo on February 13, Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine held a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan for the first time. He announced to visit the United States as early as April. Reelected in the mayoral election, Inamine intends to...

Elephant becomes pregnant for the first time in Okinawa

Elephant becomes pregnant for the first time in Okinawa

February 11, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Okinawa Zoo & Museum has announced on February 10 that 13-year-old Asian elephant Ryuka is pregnant. It is the first time that an elephant has become pregnant in Okinawa. She is scheduled to give birth around next March. Ten elephants have been born...

Nago Mayor asks US Ambassador Kennedy to cancel relocation of Futenma base to Henoko

Nago Mayor asks US Ambassador Kennedy to cancel relocation of Futenma base to Henoko

February 13, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

US Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy held a meeting with Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine at a hotel in Naha in the afternoon of February 12. Inamine asked the ambassador to abandon the plan of moving the Futenma base to Henoko, Nago, saying, “I do not want to...

JAL commemorates 60th anniversary of flights between Naha and Haneda

JAL commemorates 60th anniversary of flights between Naha and Haneda

February 5, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of flights between Naha and Haneda, Japan Airlines (JAL) held a ceremony at the Naha Airport Domestic Terminal building in the morning of February 5.

Yoshiyuki Uehara, the head of the Okinawa Convention & Visitors...

Youth and child-raising generation create group opposing Henoko relocation plan

Youth and child-raising generation create group opposing Henoko relocation plan

February 6, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

In January 25, youth and child-raising people who oppose the plan to move Futenma Air Station to Henoko in Nago, set up a new group called “New Wave to Hope.” Centered around youth who feel angry about the approval of the Henoko landfill by Okinawa...

Yaeyama, Miyako fishermen complain about new rules between Japan and Taiwan

February 6, 2014, Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 5, officials of the Fisheries Agency and the Okinawa Prefectural Government visited the Yaeyama and Miyako Fishery Association and explained the new fishing rules between Japan and Taiwan. The new rules were agreed upon at a meeting of the Taiwan-Japan...

High school students guide explaining Japanese schoolgirls who worked for the Imperial Japanese Army during Battle of Okinawa

High school students guide explaining Japanese schoolgirls who worked for the Imperial Japanese Army during Battle of Okinawa

February 3, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 2, Okinawa Shogaku High School held a bus tour to retrace the route taken by the Shiraume-tai, a group of Japanese schoolgirls assigned by the Imperial Japanese Army to serve as nurse-aides during the Battle of Okinawa. The students acted as guides.

This...

Higa publishes conversation book written in Shimakutuba and English

Higa publishes conversation book written in Shimakutuba and English

February 6, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

An 83-year-old former English teacher from Adaniya, Kitanakagusuku Village, Naohide Higa has self-published a daily conversation book FRIENDSHIP written in English and Shimakutuba, the endangered Okinawan language. On February 3, Higa visited the education board...