Archive for January, 2016

Recent News

“Ryukyu White” happoshu on limited sale

“Ryukyu White” happoshu on limited sale

January 26, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On January 26, Orion Breweries Limited will start selling its “Ryukyu White” happoshu, which uses Iejima-grown wheat. This is the first time for an Orion product to be brewed using mainly Okinawan ingredients. Ryukyu White is a craft beer variant, utilizing special materials and brewing techniques to achieve a fruity aroma and spicy flavor. The beer will be on sale in limited quantities.

In addition to Okinawa, the beer will be shipped to Washita...

 

Recovered Kanmuriwashi eagle injured in traffic accident is released

Recovered Kanmuriwashi eagle injured in traffic accident is released

January 19, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo
 
Ishigaki rangers’ office has set free a male Kanmuriwashi, or crested serpent eagle, that was injured in a traffic accident on the highway in Hoshino district, Ishigaki last October.

When a ranger found the eagle on the highway, its internal...

Dragon pillar erected at Naha Cruise Terminal to act as a symbol of welcome to Naha

Dragon pillar erected at Naha Cruise Terminal to act as a symbol of welcome to Naha

January 25, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

A dragon pillar and symbol of sister cities Naha and Fuzhou, China, was completed in Naha late last year. The pillar was publicly unveiled at a ceremony on January 24 at Naha Cruise Terminal, attended by 400 residents and officials.

Mayor of Naha City Mikiko...

Editorial:Sakima’s reelection demands Futenma closure by 2019 deadline, not an acceptance of new base

January 25, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

In yesterday’s election for mayor of Ginowan City, voters reelected the incumbent, pleased with his performance over the past four years and hoping he will continue to serve them well.

Throughout his campaign, the incumbent, Atsushi Sakima, avoided taking...

Record 7.76 million tourists visit Okinawa in 2015

January 22, 2016 Ryuyku Shimpo

On January 21, the Okinawa Prefectural Government (OPG) announced the number of tourist visits to Okinawa in the calendar year 2015. The number was 7,760,000, representing a 10 percent increase over the previous year and reaching a new high for three consecutive...

Rice planting starts in Iriomote Island, earliest harvest in Japan

Rice planting starts in Iriomote Island, earliest harvest in Japan

January 20, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

Japan’s earliest rice planting has now begun in the prefecture’s Yaeyama region, where most of the rice grown in Okinawa is produced. In Taketomi Town on Iriomote Island, 39-year-old rice farmer Kohkin Nishiohmasu started planting rice seedlings of the Hitomebore...

Coral reefs in Oura Bay recovering from El Nino

Coral reefs in Oura Bay recovering from El Nino

January 22, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Association for Protecting the Beautiful Sea of Okinawa carried out a survey to check the condition of coral reefs in Oura Bay, Nago City. The association surveyed two areas in the bay, including Chiribishi where staghorn coral is recovering from the near-extinction...

Incumbent Sakima wins mayoral election in city hosting US Futenma base

Incumbent Sakima wins mayoral election in city hosting US Futenma base

January 24, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

In the Ginowan mayoral election held on January 24, incumbent Atsushi Sakima, 51, who was seeking a second term and had the support of the Japanese government’s ruling parties, won against challenger Keiichiro Shimura, 63, a former prefectural government...

Chemicals detected in Kadena Air Base water

Chemicals detected in Kadena Air Base water

January 19, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On January 18, Okinawa Prefectural Government (OPG) announced that an illegal chemical substance was found in Kadena Air Base water, Dakujaku River and Hija River. Dakujaku River runs through Okinawa City and Hija River runs through towns such as Kadena. OPG relies...

Okinawa prefectural government inquiry into Dugongs in four ocean areas

January 7, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Department of Environmental Affairs of the prefectural government will carry out a survey on dugongs from fiscal year 2016 for two years. The animal is designated as a protected species in Japan. This will be the first investigation for dugongs by the prefectural...

Japanese government ignores Okinawa educational board’s opposition to moving Henoko’s hermit crabs

January 20, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Okinawa Prefectural Education Board has told the Japanese government’s Agency for Cultural Affairs its opposition to capturing and moving Coenobita hermit crabs living at Henoko, Nago. The Defense Ministry’s Okinawa bureau sent a request to the prefectural...