Archive for February, 2016

Recent News

Newborn baby kangaroo in Okinawa Zoo and Museum

Newborn baby kangaroo in Okinawa Zoo and Museum

February 17, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

Giant Kangaroo, or Macropus giganteus, Miyuki gave birth to her fourth baby in the Okinawa Zoo and Museum in Okinawa City. The newborn baby kangaroo has frequently been showing its face from its mother’s pouch. On January 31, the breeding staff of the zoo saw the baby showing its face from the pouch and confirmed its birth. The baby was thought to have been born the size of a one-yen coin six months ago. It then moved into the pouch and has been staying...

 

Chatan protests against foreign aircrafts flying to Kadena Air Base

Chatan protests against foreign aircrafts flying to Kadena Air Base

February 16, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On the morning of February 16, the Chatan Town Council held a special meeting to discuss the constant influx of foreign aircrafts flying to the Kadena Air Base. Members unanimously passed a resolution of protest and statement against this issue. The statement...

Okinawa Prefectural Government to form new division to promote karate

Okinawa Prefectural Government to form new division to promote karate

February 12, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

Okinawa Prefectural Government is setting up a new division within the Department of Culture, Tourism and Sports in order to promote karate and kobudo. It is due to start in April.

Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga clearly stated on February 12 that he would...

Onaga Administration’s 2016 objectives include not allowing construction of new bases

Onaga Administration’s 2016 objectives include not allowing construction of new bases

February 16, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

At a regular meeting of the Prefectural Assembly on February 16, Governor Takeshi Onaga presented his administration’s 2016 objectives. He also spoke about the Henoko landfill permit authorized by the previous administration, saying that he withdrew the landfill...

Online travel companies actively promote Okinawa as a travel destination

February 12, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

One after another, major international online travel companies are promoting Okinawa as a travel destination. Booking.com (based in the Netherlands) and Expedia (based in the US), have both established regional offices in Okinawa. Japanese domestic integrated...

Lunar New Year celebration on Hamahiga Island

Lunar New Year celebration on Hamahiga Island

February 9, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 8, the date of the Lunar New Year, the first prayer of the year, “Hachi ugan”, was offered at a hallowed ground, “Shirumichu”, in Katsuren Higa in Uruma City. It is said that an ancestral god of Ryukyu, Amamichu, and Shirumichu are enshrined...

Wildfire caused by US military live-fire training at Camp Hansen

February 11, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

At 0:58 p.m. on February 10, near range 9 in the Camp Hansen training area in Kin, wildfire broke out. According to the Okinawa Military Base Affairs Division of the Okinawa Prefectural Government, U.S. Military officials confirmed at 7:27 a.m. on February 11...

Governor Onaga optimistic about settlement involving temporary suspension of Henoko construction

Governor Onaga optimistic about settlement involving temporary suspension of Henoko construction

February 16, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

February 15 marked the fourth hearing in the trial brought by the Japanese government against the Okinawa prefectural government over the construction of a new base in Henoko, Nago as part of the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. After Okinawa...

Trial over Henoko protest suit to be held at Naha District Court

February 11, 2016Ryukyu Shimpo

After the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLITT) ordered a suspension execution of Okinawa governor Takeshi Onaga’s nullification of the permit authorizing land reclamation in Henoko, the Okinawa prefectural government filed a protest...

Okinawa cultural festival in Peru features eisa and sanshin performances

Okinawa cultural festival in Peru features eisa and sanshin performances

February 9, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Yoshiki Nagahama

The Okinawan Association of Peru hosted an Okinawan festival and sports competition between municipalities at the association’s sports fields in Lima, Peru, on February 7. The festival grounds were decked out in Okinawan décor, food...

Henoko: American peace movement participant Loan directs song to those inside base

Henoko: American peace movement participant Loan directs song to those inside base

February 9, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On the early morning of February 9, a total of around 100 protesters opposing the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to Henoko, Nago gathered in front of Camp Schwab. Around 50 protesters each gathered in front of two of Camp Schwab’s gates....