Archive for September, 2014

Recent News

GOJ applies to change Henoko construction: OPG to approve next month

GOJ applies to change Henoko construction: OPG to approve next month

September 4, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On September 3, the Okinawa Defense Bureau filed an application to the Hokubu Regional Public Works Office requesting approval for modifying part of the construction methods for reclaiming the sea at Henoko, Nago for the relocation of the U.S. military’s Futenma Air Station. The application is based on the Public Water Body Reclamation Act. The Okinawa Defense Bureau must also get approval from the governor of Okinawa . The governor is likely to approve...

 

New Ryukyu king and queen selected at Shurijo Castle Park event

New Ryukyu king and queen selected at Shurijo Castle Park event

September 8, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

A selection ceremony for a new “king” and “queen” took place at the event “Mid-Autumn Feast” held in the Una forecourt of Shurijo Castle in Naha on September 7. Twenty-year-old company employee Daichi Teruya was chosen...

Yaeyma Standup Paddle Boarding Association launched to promote the sport in Okinawa

Yaeyma Standup Paddle Boarding Association launched to promote the sport in Okinawa

September 8, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

Stand up paddle boarding (SUP), in which boarders paddle standing up, is becoming a popular sport in Okinawa. On September 1, the Yaemaya SUP Association was set up in Ishigaki City, with the aim to promote the sport in Okinawa. On the same day, people involved...

[Editorial]Shimakutuba lesson is essential to the development of Okinawa Culture

September 3, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Shimakutuba Liaison Council has made a petition to the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly seeking to enact a regulation on the protection of local languages. The liaison council wants to restore and inherit rights to protect Shimakutuba or Ryukyuan languages. The...

An Iriomote wild cat released back into the wild after recovering from injuries in a car accident

An Iriomote wild cat released back into the wild after recovering from injuries in a car accident

September 9, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

An Iriomote wild cat, classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, was injured in a traffic accident on Iriomote Island in August. The Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center of the Ministry of the Environment,...

Joseph Nye: “the fixed bases on Okinawa become increasingly vulnerable”

Joseph Nye:

September 1, 2014 Ryota Shimabukuro of Ryukyu Shimpo reports from Washington D.C.

Former US Assistant Secretary of Defense Joseph Nye suggested in his article posted to the Huffington Post on August 7 that “many Japanese still resent the lack of symmetry in the alliance obligations. Others...

10,000 people’s rally protesting Henoko landfill to be held mid-October in Nago

September 1, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Okinawan Peoples’ Action Committee will hold a rally to protest the building of a US air base for replacement of the Futenma base. The event will take place at 2 p.m. on September 20 at the beach near Henoko Fishery Port. The organizer wants more than...

Okinawa Prefectural Assembly passes a resolution of protest against the U.S. military base relocation in Henoko

Okinawa Prefectural Assembly passes a resolution of protest against the U.S. military base relocation in Henoko

September 3, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On September 3, the Okinawa prefectural assembly held a special meeting and passed a resolution of protest against the seabed drilling survey being carried out for construction of a new base, which is part of a relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air...

Himeyuri Peace Museum welcomes its 20 millionth visitor on 25th year anniversary

Himeyuri Peace Museum welcomes its 20 millionth visitor on 25th year anniversary

August 24, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On August 23, the Himeyuri Peace Museum welcomed its 20 millionth visitor since it opened in June 1989 in Itoman. Sayuri Watanabe, from Aichi Prefecture, who for the first time visited the museum, became the 20 millionth visitor. At the welcome ceremony, the curator...

Former Fishery Cooperative President: “Don’t reclaim Henoko”

Former Fishery Cooperative President: “Don’t reclaim Henoko”

August 28, 2014 Yugo Okita of Ryukyu Shimpo

“Henoko and Oura Bay are the only remaining rich fishing grounds on the east coast of Okinawa. If we just sit by and watch the reclamation, the fishing industry of Okinawa will not survive long.” The self-proclaimed “Chief of the...

Tornado appears over Oura Bay in Nago

Tornado appears over Oura Bay in Nago

September 1, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

Around 9:30 p.m. on August 31, a tornado appeared over Oura Bay in Nago.
There were no reported injuries or damages property around the bay.

Yoshiharu Nina who lives in the Teira district, confirmed the occurrence of a tornado. He said the tornado...