Archive for March, 2019

Recent News

ODB begins soil deposits into new land reclamation section in Henoko at 2:58 p.m. on March 25

ODB begins soil deposits into new land reclamation section in Henoko at 2:58 p.m. on March 25

March 25, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo online edition

On March 25 at 2:58 p.m. the Okinawa Defense Bureau (ODB) began initial soil deposits into a land reclamation section on the Henoko side of Cape Henoko, as part of construction of the Futenma Replacement Facility (FRF) in Henoko, Nago City.

Following the February prefectural referendum, which recorded over 70 percent local opposition to land reclamation work, the ODB has undertaken work on a new land reclamation section.

Citizens...

 

In an effort to halt land reclamation, Okinawa files lawsuit against Japan, claiming “injunction ending Henoko stoppage is illegal”

In an effort to halt land reclamation, Okinawa files lawsuit against Japan, claiming “injunction ending Henoko stoppage is illegal”

March 23, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Okinawa Prefecture has filed a lawsuit against Japan March 22 at the Fukuoka High Court Naha Branch naming as defendant Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT) Keiichi Ishii, demanding he overturn his injunction ending the efficacy of Okinawa’s...

Nobel laureate Dr. Yamanaka and the new frontier: “Find what you love”

Nobel laureate Dr. Yamanaka and the new frontier: “Find what you love”

March 26, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Shinya Yamanaka, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in Physiology or Medicine, and director of Kyoto University’s Center for IPS Cell Research and Application, gave a talk at the Ryukyu Shimpo Hall in Naha city on March 25.

Yamanaka used simple words to...

41 Sho royal family documents are to become national treasures

41 Sho royal family documents are to become national treasures

March 21, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

On March 18, Japan’s Council for Cultural Affairs submitted a report to the Minister of Education, Culture, Spots, Science and Technology Masahiko Shibayama.

The report recommends that “The 41 Materials and Documents Related to the Sho Royal Family of...

Okinawan remains taken early in the Showa era returned from Taiwan University

Okinawan remains taken early in the Showa era returned from Taiwan University

March 21, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

The remains of 63 Okinawans taken from the island by an Imperial University anthropologist in the early Showa era, were finally returned to Okinawa March 20 from the National Taiwan University, where they were being held.

According to the Okinawa Board of...

One of only three Okinawa dugong specimens found dead, whereabouts of other two unknown

One of only three Okinawa dugong specimens found dead, whereabouts of other two unknown

March 20, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Prior to starting construction on the Futenma Replacement Facility (FRF) in Henoko, Nago City, the Okinawa Defense Bureau (ODB) conducted a dugong survey and confirmed the presence of three dugong specimens.

Since construction in the ocean began the whereabouts...

Soft seafloor precludes marine work yards for temporary caisson storage in FRF construction

Soft seafloor precludes marine work yards for temporary caisson storage in FRF construction

March 18, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Recently it came to the Ryukyu Shimpo’s attention that due to an expanse of soft seafloor north of the land reclamation area, the Okinawa Defense Bureau (ODB) has abandoned its plan to establish three “marine work yards” there, for construction of...

Naha District Court rules arrest of author Shun Medoruma during anti-base protest was illegal

Naha District Court rules arrest of author Shun Medoruma during anti-base protest was illegal

March 19, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo online edition

In April 2016 the Akutagawa Prize-winning author Shun Medoruma was captured by the United States military during his participation in protest activities against construction of the new base in Henoko, Nago City.

Medoruma was subjected to violations...

10,000-person rally in Naha calls for honoring of the referendum result and abandonment of the Henoko base construction

10,000-person rally in Naha calls for honoring of the referendum result and abandonment of the Henoko base construction

March 17, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

On March 16, the All Okinawa Coalition to Prevent Construction of a New Base in Henoko held a rally called “No soil dumping! 3/16 Okinawan people’s rally to protect the dugong and coral and demand a stop to the Henoko new base construction” at the Naha Shintoshin...

SOFA exempts U.S. pilots flying under the influence, aerobatics

March 18, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Yukito Toyama

U.S. military pilots who fly under the influence are not subject to Japanese law. On March 8, the Lower House Foreign Affairs Committee discussed the U.S. military’s exemption from most of Japan’s aviation laws.

Japan’s aviation...

People of Japanese ancestry worldwide invited to attend International Day of Nikkei on June 20

People of Japanese ancestry worldwide invited to attend International Day of Nikkei on June 20

March 13, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

At Meio University in Nago City on March 12 Andres Higa, 43, a second generation Okinawan-Argentinian, and Andres Tadashi Isa, 28, a third generation Okinawan-Peruvian promoted the “International Day of Nikkei” 100 days in advance of the event.

The...