Archive for November, 2014

Recent News

Light rain amid rain-making rituals on Kohama Island

Light rain amid rain-making rituals on Kohama Island

November 19, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

Amid a water shortage in the Yaeyama region, which has been experiencing low rainfall, rain-making rituals were held for the first time in about 25 years on Kohama Island. When seven Kantsukasa (woman priests) started to sing a song calling for rain, a light rain began to fall. Smiles spread on the faces of villagers who watched the priests with a feeling of hope.

Kantsukasa priests prayed to Gandoura thunderstones, which were placed...

 

Japanese government releases current cost of Futenma relocation; so far exceeds 40 billion yen

November 12, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

Expenses related to a plan to build an alternative facility to Futenma Air Station in Nago, covering the period from May 1, 2006 to November 5, 2014 amount to 40,860,000,000 yen. The U.S. and Japanese government reached an agreement on the Realignment of U.S....

Yonaguni council passes referendum ordinance over Japanese Self-Defense Force

November 18, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On November 17, Yonaguni Town Council passed a referendum ordinance asking residents if they accept the deployment of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force to Yonaguni Island. The council voted 3-to-2 in favor of having a referendum. The Ministry of Defense...

Kitten stuck between car saved

Kitten stuck between car saved

November 12, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

At a busy intersection on National Route 58 in Urasoe, a kitten about 20 centimeters long was saved by firefighters after getting stuck under a mini-van at a red light. The incident occurred at Jitchaku intersection on November 11.

Hideo Akamine, who...

Okinawan students have the most interest in gaining international experience

Okinawan students have the most interest in gaining international experience

November 14, 2014 Yoshiki Nagahama of Ryukyu Shimpo

A nationwide survey on academic ability conducted by the Ministry of Education in 2013 revealed that 20 percent of students in public junior high schools in Okinawa answered “yes” to the question, “Do you think you are interested...

Citizen group launches new protest ship in Henoko

Citizen group launches new protest ship in Henoko

November 15, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On November 14, at Teima fishing port, Nago, a citizen group held a launching ceremony for a new ship, which they will use to protest against a landfill project being carried out to build a replacement facility for the U.S. Futenma base. The ship has capacity...

Police dog Daniel awarded for finding missing boy

Police dog Daniel awarded for finding missing boy

November 1, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On October 29, an eight-year-old police dog Daniel and assistant police inspector Atsushi Urasaki were awarded by Naha Police Station. Daniel and his partner found a boy who went missing at the southern part of Okinawa Main Island on October 2. Naha Police received...

19 Japanese nature study organizations seek reassessment of new U.S. base in Henoko, including cancellation of construction

19 Japanese nature study organizations seek reassessment of new U.S. base in Henoko, including cancellation of construction

November 11, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

Nineteen Japanese nature study societies, including the Ecological Society of Japan with 4,000 researchers, submitted a written request to the central government and Okinawa Prefectural Government on November 11. They seek to review the plan to build an alternative...

All-Okinawa Bullfighting Autumn Tournament attracts 4,500 spectators

All-Okinawa Bullfighting Autumn Tournament attracts 4,500 spectators

November 10, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On November 9, the 102nd All Okinawa Togyu (Bullfighting) Autumn Tournament was held, sponsored jointly by the Okinawa Prefectural Bullfighting Federation and the Ryukyu Shimpo Co., at the Ishikawa Multipurpose Dome in Uruma City.

Twenty-four bulls competed...

Marine barricaded in Camp Lester in Okinawa: possibly carried rifle in civilian district

November 7, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On October 30, a marine barricaded himself with a rifle in housing area of Camp Lester in Chatan, setting off a standoff with military police. There is a high possibility the marine moved in the civilian district outside of the base, carrying an M-16 rifle.

Marine...

[Editorial]New Okinawan governor: stop the construction of new U.S.military base

November 17, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

Takeshi Onaga’s win in the Okinawa gubernatorial election has once again solidly demonstrated Okinawan people’s will against the construction of new U.S. base. The former Mayor of Naha Takeshi Onaga, 64, has re-stated his promise to oppose the plan...