Archive for October, 2016

Recent News

80 percent of Ishigaki Island’s coral reefs becoming bleached

80 percent of Ishigaki Island’s coral reefs becoming bleached

October 1, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On September 11, Ishigaki Island Coastal Leisure Safety Council examined the problem of bleached coral, using a small-sized drone in Yonehara Beach at the north shore of Ishigaki City. The survey revealed that 80 to 90 percent of coral filmed was bleached. Some coral reefs are completely dead. The Council said, “We would like to spread this image and inform the public about the problem.”

At “Sekisei-shoko,” the largest coral lagoon in the country,...

 

Okinawa appeals ruling in Henoko lawsuit, says high court overstepped its authority

October 4, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

Commentary by Ryota Shimabukuro

The Okinawa prefectural government has appealed a ruling made by the Naha branch of the Fukuoka High Court that ruled Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga’s cancellation of approval to reclaim land in Henoko, Nago City to be “illegal”....

Higashi Village’s Osprey and helicopter noise complaints in June outnumber those from last year

September 29, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

Within June of this year, the number of noise complaints made to Higashi Village Office concerning MV-22 Osprey vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and helicopters reached about 60. On September 28, it was publicized that these June complaints outnumbered...

Prime Minister Abe greatly downplays amount of land needed for US military helipads in Takae

Prime Minister Abe greatly downplays amount of land needed for US military helipads in Takae

October 4, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Ministry of Defense made public at the House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting on October 3 that a 162.93-hectare portion of the Northern Training Area (in Higashi and Kunigami Villages), including the additionally provided Ukagawa area, will be developed...

Four years after Osprey deployment, some call for a stop to operations; others positive

Four years after Osprey deployment, some call for a stop to operations; others positive

October 1, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

(Ginowan) October 1 marks four years since MV-22 Osprey verticle takeoff and landing transport aircraft were deployed, despite local opposition, to U.S. Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma in Ginowan City. Protesters who blockaded the base to express their...

Ancient Roman and Ottoman copper coins unearthed for the first time in Japan at Katsuren Castle, possibly from maritime trade

Ancient Roman and Ottoman copper coins unearthed for the first time in Japan at Katsuren Castle, possibly from maritime trade

%e5%9c%b0%e5%9b%b3%e8%8b%b1%e8%aa%9eSeptember 27, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo
[Uruma] Coins which appear...

Kings loses close game at B-League opening match

Kings loses close game at B-League opening match

September 23, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

Men’s basketball match called B-League opened on September 22 at the National Yoyogi Stadium. The game was held between the Ryukyu Golden Kings and the Alvark Tokyo at the First Gymnasium. The Kings who was once losing at the beginning of the game caught...

Editorial: Talk of base burden reduction in PM Abe’s policy speech is a sham

September 27, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

If those imposing a burden intend to seriously think about reducing such burden, they must listen sufficiently to the opinions of the local people, and endeavor to realize a solution to the problems they experience.

Unilaterally forcing a “burden reduction”...

Kunigami Village Council requests training areas be shut down following US Harrier crash

Kunigami Village Council requests training areas be shut down following US Harrier crash

September 27, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On September 22, a U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II ground-attack aircraft that come from the U.S. training area Hotel Hotel crashed in the water 153 kilometers east of Cape Hedo, Kunigami Village. In response, the Kunigami Village Council (chaired by Toshimitsu...