Archive for December, 2015

Recent News

70 American intellectuals publicly criticize Ambassador Kennedy’s stand on Henoko relocation plan

December 24, Ryukyu Shimpo Sakae Toiyama reports from Washington, DC

Seventy American intellectuals, including film director Oliver Stone and linguist Noam Chomsky, issued a public statement on December 22 criticizing U.S. ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy for her comments on December 17 relating to MCAS Futenma at a press conference at Japan National Press Club. Part of the statement says that Kennedy’s comment regarding the Henoko relocation plan is “…at once a threat, an insult...

 

Two elephants from Fukushima return to Okinawa Zoo and Museum

Two elephants from Fukushima return to Okinawa Zoo and Museum

December 17, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

On December 16, Tonsai and Boonthong, Asian elephants from Tohoku Safari Park in Fukushima Prefecture, were showcased at Okinawa Zoo and Museum. They became Okinawa-Fukushima Friendship Elephants last year and came to Okinawa to spend the winter season.

The...

Low-frequency noise from CH-53 helicopters exceeds assessment standards at NIT, Okinawa College

December 22, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

On December 21, Takeshi Tokashiki, Associate Professor at the University of the Ryukyus, presented the results of a low-frequency noise survey conducted at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Okinawa College in Henoko, Nago. The survey measured the impact...

Intellectuals oppose arguments that bases in Okinawa are indispensable

Intellectuals oppose arguments that bases in Okinawa are indispensable

December 19, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

In Ginowan Citizen’s Hall on December 18 the New Diplomacy Initiative held a symposium called “Considering Okinawa’s Future from Ginowan,” concerning the issues of bases, economics, and local autonomy. Participants exchanged opinions on the methods of...

Prefectural assemblies nationwide tackle Okinawa base issue

December 22, 2015 Ryuyku Shimpo

The Japanese national government sued the Okinawa prefectural government in an attempt to override the prefecture’s authority and conduct proxy approval of the land reclamation permit needed for the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to Henoko....

Veterans for Peace members call for collaboration with Hawaiians of Okinawa descent to stop base construction

Veterans for Peace members call for collaboration with Hawaiians of Okinawa descent to stop base construction

December 16, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

On the evening of December 15, a symposium featuring members of the U.S. peace organization Veterans for Peace (VFP) was held at the Okinawa Co-educational Participation Center “Tiruru” in Naha. At the symposium, former U.S. military service members and Okinawans...

Bringing happiness? Stork observed in Nakijin

Bringing happiness? Stork observed in Nakijin

December 16, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

A stork was observed in Nakijin village on December 14. The bird is known as a special national treasure. According to a 53-year-old manager of the Yagaji national game reserve, Yutaka Toguchi, it is not common to see the species on Okinawa Island although the...

Ryukyu Shimpo wins Ishibashi Tanzan Memorial Journalism Award

Ryukyu Shimpo wins Ishibashi Tanzan Memorial Journalism Award

December 11, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

On December 11, a presentation ceremony of the 15th Ishibashi Tanzan Memorial Journalism Award was held in Tokyo. The Ryukyu Shimpo’s running story on the right of self-determination for Okinawa won the award in the Public Service division. Ryukyu Shimpo...

Ryukyu Koto Koyo Kai LA Branch celebrates 50th anniversary

Ryukyu Koto Koyo Kai LA Branch celebrates 50th anniversary

December 14, 2015 Sadao Tome, Ryukyu Shimpo Correspondent

On November 28 at the Armstrong Theater in Torrance City, the USA, the Ryukyu Koto Koyo Kai Los Angeles Branch held its 50th anniversary ceremony performance. Approximately 400 people attended and enjoyed the performance with its theme...

Movie The Omoiyari questions rational of sympathy budget for US Forces in Japan

Movie The Omoiyari questions rational of sympathy budget for US Forces in Japan

December 18, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

A movie titled The Omoiyari challenges the question of the periodic payment by Japan to the US military for bearing the cost of stationing US Forces there, popularly referred to as the omoiyari yosan, or “sympathy budget” in English. This film was recently...

Photographers discuss significance of Koza riot

Photographers discuss significance of Koza riot

December 13, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

On December 12, a photographers’ gallery talk on the Koza riot was held at Gallery Lafayette in the Chuo district of Okinawa City. With about 50 participants, Ko Yoshioka, Kazuo Kuniyoshi, and Toyomitsu Higa, who exhibited photographs they had taken, discussed...