Archive for March, 2019

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Vietnamese man gives tearful thanks 36 years after being rescued off the coast of Vietnam by a high school fishing training vessel, says ship “saved his life”

Vietnamese man gives tearful thanks 36 years after being rescued off the coast of Vietnam by a high school fishing training vessel, says ship “saved his life”

March 19, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Hiroe Nakagawa

“I want to say my thanks to the people of Okinawa who saved my life.

Not a day goes by where I forget what you did for me.” Masakazu Minami (50, Vietnamese name: John Tai Tuan Vin), who runs a Vietnamese restaurant in Tokyo, continues to carry these thoughts with him. Minami fled his home country of Vietnam in August of 1983 on a wooden ship, and was rescued off the coast of Ho Chi Minh City by the Shonan-maru, an Okinawan...

 

Editorial: Aircraft noise from Kadena leads to health issues and even death

March 14, Ryukyu Shimpo

Shocking data has once again indicated just how dangerous U.S. Air Force Kedena Air Base’s aircraft noise is, along with just how inhumane the current base operations are.

It is estimated that 17,454 residents from the Kadena Air Base area suffer from severe...

Five Karate-ka headed to the Tokyo Olympics train together in Okinawa in their quest for gold

Five Karate-ka headed to the Tokyo Olympics train together in Okinawa in their quest for gold

March 15, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Three Okinawan members of the All Japan National Team, Ryo Kiyuna (Konan High School, Okinawa International University, Ryueiryu Ryuhokai), Arata Kinjo (Mirai Engineering High School, Okinawa International University, Ryueiryu Ryuhokai), and Takuya Uemura (Konan...

Naha Airport building links international and domestic terminals to improve traveler experience

Naha Airport building links international and domestic terminals to improve traveler experience

March 14, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

On March 13 the Naha Airport Building Co. Ltd. (NABCO), which manages the terminal buildings of Naha Airport, held a ceremony celebrating the completion of the new terminal building linking the international and domestic terminal buildings.

The new building...

Ryukyu Disposition Symposium: the 140 years since colonialism

Ryukyu Disposition Symposium: the 140 years since colonialism

March 11, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

ACSILs, The Association of Comprehensive Studies for Independence of the Lew Chewans, held its 21st open symposium on March 10 at the Ginowan City Community Hall, titled: “Investigating the 140 Years Since Yamato State’s Annexation of the Ryukyu Kingdom (Known...

Fujian Province presents Okinawa with lion statues to celebrate their friendship

Fujian Province presents Okinawa with lion statues to celebrate their friendship

March 12, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

On March 11, an unveiling ceremony was held at the Bankoku Shinryokan facility in Kise, Nago for lion statues given to Okinawa Prefecture by China’s Fujian Province, which is a sister province of Okinawa.

The two statues are made of crocidolite from southern...

FRF construction to take at least 13 years, subsequent land subsidence may incur lasting costs

FRF construction to take at least 13 years, subsequent land subsidence may incur lasting costs

 

March 10, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

By Manato Akira and Sumire Shimaoka

 

Facts demonstrating that the issue of soft ground in Oura Bay will lengthen the construction period of the Futenma Replacement Facility (FRF) in Henoko, Nago City, have been coming...

Mamiko Higa hits a life-saving birdie on the 17th hole to win the Daikin Orchid Ladies Golf Tournament

Mamiko Higa hits a life-saving birdie on the 17th hole to win the Daikin Orchid Ladies Golf Tournament

March 11, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

By Kyoko Ishii

 

After opening up a large early lead at ten under, Mamiko Higa flirted with disaster over the next five holes dropping six strokes with two double-bogeys and three bogeys with only a single birdie mixed in.

With...

Revision passed banning drones in the airspace above bases

Revision passed banning drones in the airspace above bases

 

March 6, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Tokyo – The Japanese government passed a revision to a drone regulation law by executive order March 5, creating a no-fly zone for small-bodied drones in the airspace above Japanese Self Defense Force and U.S. military bases.

 

The...

Natsuko Izena holds a talk on reliance and independence at Haebaru High School

Natsuko Izena holds a talk on reliance and independence at Haebaru High School

March 6, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

On March 5, columnist of “The View from 100 cm,” Natsuko Izena held a talk titled “What Does It Mean to Help One Another?” at Haebaru High School.

The column is serialized in Ryukyu Shimpo’s Lifestyle section.

She spoke of her own daily life...

Governor delivers referendum results, PM’s disregard for it is unacceptable

March 2, 2019 The Ryukyu Shimpo

Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki met with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and reported the outcome of the prefectural referendum, in which more than 70% opposed reclaiming land to construct a new base in Henoko.

The prime minister rejected the public consensus, stating:...