Archive for March, 2014

Recent News

Okinawa selected among Agoda’s top 10 hottest travel spots

March 6, 2014 Wu Li Jun of the Ryukyu Shimpo

Asia’s major hotel reservation site, Agoda.com has chosen its latest Top 10 Hottest Travel Destinations in Asia 2014. Okinawa is one of two travel destinations selected in Japan. Agoda.com’s editorial team praised the ease of travel between Okinawa and the other Asian countries, highlighting that “The easiest way is on a plane from several places in Japan, as well as from Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea and China.” It commented...

 

Okinawa aiming to attract 6.8 million tourists for fiscal 2014

March 8, 2014 Wu Li Jun of Ryukyu Shimpo

The Okinawa Prefectural Government announced a plan to attract tourists to Okinawa for fiscal 2014 on March 7.

The government has estimated 6.8 million tourists will visit Okinawa for fiscal 2014. The number ranges from 6.7 to 6.8 million, which...

US Air Force F-15 resumes flying after the accident involving a windshield falling

US Air Force F-15 resumes flying after the accident involving a windshield falling

March 10, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

As of 8:40 a.m. March 10, Kadena Air Base has resumed flights of F-15 fighters. The base had stopped flying the aircraft because it made an emergency landing with its windshield having fallen off on March 4.

Three F-15 fighters took off at 8:40 a.m., and...

Okinawa to take measures against crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks with an Australian research institute

Okinawa to take measures against crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks with an Australian research institute

March 6, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Okinawa Prefectural Government and Australian Marine Science Research Institute held a partnership signing ceremony at the prefectural office building on March 5. They agreed to deal with crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, which are a common problem in both...

Okinawan among artists to win Oscar for animated film Frozen

Okinawan among artists to win Oscar for animated film Frozen

March 5, 2014 Shoichiro Yonamine of Ryukyu Shimpo

Los Angeles resident and CGI(Computer-Generated Image) artist Hiroki Itokazu,from Kumejima, participated in creating Disney’s animated film Frozen. The film won the Academy Award for the best animated feature film at the 86th...

Okinawan High School students discuss peace in different cultures

Okinawan High School students discuss peace in different cultures

March 9, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

The first Children Peace Conference was held in Okinawa Shogaku High School in Naha on March 8. About 60 students discussed understanding different cultures and promoting mutual peace.

The participants focused on problems with Turkish immigration in Germany...

Itoman tug-of-war wins grand prix in 18th Furusato Award

Itoman tug-of-war wins grand prix in 18th Furusato Award

March 6, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

Itoman Ozunahiki (tug-of-war) has won the grand prix of the 18th Furusato Award presented by the Japan Center for Regional Development. This is the first time that an event in Okinawa has been selected as the grand prix winner for the Furusato Award. The award selection...

U.S. Marine helicopter fails in landing on U.S.S. Denver

U.S. Marine helicopter fails in landing on U.S.S. Denver

March 7, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

At night on March 5, an AH-1W helicopter, which belongs to the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station, failed in its landing on the deck of U.S.S. Denver during training off the east coast of Okinawa’s main island. The right skid of the helicopter collapsed. In...

Okinawa agrees on venture exchange with Taiwanese IT organization

Okinawa agrees on venture exchange with Taiwanese IT organization

February 18, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 17, the Okinawa Industrial Promotion Public Corporation entered into a partnership...

Carpet of pink cosmos waves in wind in Nago

Carpet of pink cosmos waves in wind in Nago

February 27, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

Fully bloomed pink cosmoses fill about 6.6 hectares of rice paddies in Kawakami, Nago. It is the season to enjoy blooming cosmoses. The area is called “Haneji Tabukkwa,” which means rich paddies. The local volunteer group in the community has started...

People in traditional Ryukyuan costume parade for Doll’s Festival

People in traditional Ryukyuan costume parade for Doll's Festival

March 2, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

For the Doll’s Festival, people dressed in traditional Ryukyuan costume walked through the streets in a michijune parade in the First Commercial Avenue in Okinawa City on March 1.

One hundred people dressed in bright costumes paraded down the...