Archive for May, 2014

Recent News

Okinawa Defense Bureau confirms traces of dugongs eating seaweed in the sea around Henoko

Okinawa Defense Bureau confirms traces of dugongs eating seaweed in the sea around Henoko

May 23, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Okinawa Defense Bureau released a research report on the living organisms in the waters around Camp Schwab, on May 22. The research was carried out from November 2012 to March 2013. The defense bureau is proceeding with building a new base to replace Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Henoko, Nago. The defense bureau has now announced a key finding from the 2013 survey; traces of dugongs eating seaweed and seagrass beds on the Oura Bay side of Henokozaki,...

 

Okinawa Defense Bureau to compensate Nago Fisher’s Union with 3.6 billion yen

May 23, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On May 22, the Okinawa Defense Bureau signed an agreement with the Nago Fisher’s Union. The bureau will pay about 3.6 billion yen in compensation for reclaiming the sea around Henoko in Nago for the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Hirofumi...

Kadena Town Assembly unanimously passes a resolution to protest against accidents involving U.S. military aircraft

Kadena Town Assembly unanimously passes a resolution to protest against accidents involving U.S. military aircraft

May 22, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

There have been two recent incidents involving parts of aircraft breaking off and falling away. The aircraft were an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter and an F-15 Eagle. The Kadena Town Assembly has since unanimously passed a written statement and resolution to protest...

Okinawa aiming to attract 6.9 million tourists in the 2014 fiscal year

Okinawa aiming to attract 6.9 million tourists in the 2014 fiscal year

May 21 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Okinawa Prefectural Government (OPG) announced a plan to attract more tourists to Okinawa in the 2014 fiscal year on May 20. The government has aimed to attract 6.9 million tourists to Okinawa. The number has increased by 4.9 percent from the number of tourists...

Summer vegetable loofa harvest starts

Summer vegetable loofa harvest starts

May 16, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Loofa or Hechima harvest has started in Okinawa. The harvest season is from the end of May to July. Mainland Japanese do not have the custom of eating loofa, but it is a popular vegetable during summer in Okinawa.

Hiroshi Tome, a fifty-two-year-old,...

ANA begins cargo flights between Okinawa and Singapore

ANA begins cargo flights between Okinawa and Singapore

May 15, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

All Nippon Airways (ANA) has started new cargo flights between Okinawa and Singapore as part of its international cargo project. The cargo flight on this route left for Singapore at 5:00 a.m. on April 14.

There will be six flights per week from Okinawa, with...

International Hula Dance competition held in Miyako Island

International Hula Dance competition held in Miyako Island

May 20, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

International Hula Dance competition Kagimana hula Miyakojima 2014 was held at Mateada Civic Theater and other venues in Miyako City from May 16 to 18.
The contenders performed gracefully, dancing to Hawaiian music and captivating the audience.

About...

Seven-Eleven to tap into markets in Okinawa

May 19, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

The world’s largest convenience store operator Seven-Eleven, Inc. plans to tap into markets in Okinawa. The company is negotiating with Okinawan companies about affiliating, building stores, and acquiring factories.

Seven-Eleven is targeting Okinawa as...

About 2,100 people take part in 5.15 peace rally despite the rain

About 2,100 people take part in 5.15 peace rally despite the rain

May 19, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On May 18, the last day of the 37th peace march, a rally to protect life and peace was held in Ginowan. The march and rally commemorate the 42nd anniversary of Okinawa’s reversion to Japanese sovereignty from the United Sates occupation. Despite heavy rain,...

Nago Mayor conveys his opposition to Henoko relocation to U.S. government

Nago Mayor conveys his opposition to Henoko relocation to U.S. government

May 21, 2014 Ryota Shimabukuro of Ryukyu Shimpo reports from Washington D.C.

Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine met Peter Hemsch, the deputy director of the Office of Japanese Affairs at the U.S. State Department on May 19. The mayor conveyed his intention to oppose the plan to relocate U.S. Marine...

Prime Minister Abe’s re-interpretation of the peace clause: Okinawan people concerned changes could provide a way to war

May 16, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On May 15, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his willingness to review interpretation of the constitution to exercise the right to collective self-defense. Many residents living near U.S. military bases and survivors of the Battle of Okinawa were alarmed by this,...