Archive for September, 2015

Recent News

Governor suggests revoking approval of landfill, exerting every possible effort to block new US base

September 8, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

The final meeting of the intensive consultations between the Okinawa Prefectural and the central governments over the plan to move U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to Henoko was held at 4:20 p.m. on September 7 at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The talks broke down with the governments unable to find any common ground or resolve the issue. They remain as far apart as ever.

Governor Takeshi Onaga said to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and...

 

Henoko tug-of-war attracts 2500 people

Henoko tug-of-war attracts 2500 people

September 2, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

On August 30 at the Henoko Ground in the Henoko district of Nago City, a traditional tug-of-war event was held. Participants in the Henoko tug-of-war were divided into two groups, east and west, and faced off twice. The East group won the competition, after winning...

Former Prime Minister Murayama supports ‘All-Okinawa’ movement

Former Prime Minister Murayama supports ‘All-Okinawa' movement

September 3, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

Honorary chairman of Social Democratic Party Tomiichi Murayama was the Prime Minister when a massive protest rally was held on October 21, 1995, following the 1995 rape of 12-year-old by U.S. servicemen. In December of the same year, Murayama sued then Okinawa...

Okinawa youth group protests security bill and new US base

Okinawa youth group protests security bill and new US base

August 25, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

On August 23, at a park in Chatan, youth group SEALDs RYUKYU held a protest rally against the government’s security-related bills and the construction of a New U.S. base in Henoko, Nago. About 500 University students took part in the rally. They voiced their...

OIST accepts 24 students from 15 countries

OIST accepts 24 students from 15 countries

September 1, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

On September 1, The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) held an enrollment ceremony for doctoral students at the school, which is located in the Tancha district of Onna. The fourth batch of students is made up of twenty-four...

Iejima residents travel to South America to trace the history of emigration from the island

Iejima residents travel to South America to trace the history of emigration from the island

August 31, 2015 Yukito Kinjo, Correspondent of Ryukyu Shimpo

In advance of the 6th World Uchinanchu Festival to be held in October of next year, a group of Ie residents traveled around various parts of South America from August 11 to 21 to meet with migrants who moved there from Ie after World...

Okinawa Government starts diving operation to investigate possible damage to coral reef

Okinawa Government starts diving operation to investigate possible damage to coral reef

August 31, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

On the morning of August 31, the Okinawa Prefectural Government started a diving operation to investigate whether coral reef has been damaged in and around a temporary restricted area in Oura Bay, off the coast of Henoko, Nago. There, the Okinawa Defense Bureau...

2,500 protesters gather in Okinawa as part of national action against new security bill

2,500 protesters gather in Okinawa as part of national action against new security bill

August 31, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

On the evening of August 30, at the Yogi Park in Naha, a rally demanding the scrapping of a new security bill, the cancellation of construction of a new U.S. base in Henoko, and the resignation of the Abe administration was held.
According to the organizer,...

Okinawa holds job fair for students from China’s Fujian province

Okinawa holds job fair for students from China's Fujian province

August 27, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Okinawa Prefectural Government and the Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau held a job fair at Hotel Royal Orion in Naha on the morning of August 27. The fair was aimed at 17 college and university students from China’s Fujian province who visited Okinawa...

Misako Koja and Ryuichi Sakamoto to co-produce song for Henoko Fund

Misako Koja and Ryuichi Sakamoto to co-produce song for Henoko Fund

August 24, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

Folk singer Misako Koja has written lyrics for a song, “Undercooled,” which is originally composed by musician Ryuichi Sakamoto as part of a new album called, “Mirukuyugafu”, to be released on October 7. Koja’s group, Unaigumi, sings...

Angama celebrates return of ancestral spirits on Ishigaki’s Unke

Angama celebrates return of ancestral spirits on Ishigaki's Unke

August 27, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

On August 26, the first day of Okinawa’s Obon, called Unke in Ishigaki City, a traditional Yaeyama ceremony, Angama, was held throughout the community. Messengers from Guso (afterlife), Ushumai (an old man) and Nmii (an old woman) brought Fama (descendants)...