Archive for June, 2019

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Battle of Okinawa memorial-goers say prime minister’s speech does not resonate

Battle of Okinawa memorial-goers say prime minister’s speech does not resonate

June 24, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

At the Okinawa Memorial Day ceremony on June 23, Governor Denny Tamaki gave a speech mixing Uchinaguchi (Okinawan language) and English with his Japanese, expressing opposition to the construction of a new base in Henoko, and calling for revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement. Each of Governor Tamaki’s statements drew applause from the audience. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in his speech, discussed reducing the burden of military bases...

 

Woman claims to be the iconic “trembling girl” in war footage

Woman claims to be the iconic “trembling girl” in war footage

June 23, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Yosuke Anri

A girl trembles in fear at the sight of an American soldier—this girl appears in a video footage recorded by the U.S. troops, a clip often incorporated in films about the Battle of Okinawa. Sometime before June 22, Sueko Urasaki (nee Kakazu),...

SDF strengthening in southwest Japan includes plan for military clash, not residents’ evacuation

SDF strengthening in southwest Japan includes plan for military clash, not residents’ evacuation

June 23, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

While the Ministry of Defense (MOD) strengthens defense capabilities in southwest Japan, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces (GSDF) is conducting island recovery drills in case of invasion. Defense facilities near the national border are equipped with radar and...

The Japan P.E.N. Club releases declaration signed by 1,500 Japanese authors asks government to, “Reconsider new base construction at Henoko”

The Japan P.E.N. Club releases declaration signed by 1,500 Japanese authors asks government to, “Reconsider new base construction at Henoko”

June 22, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Tokyo – The Japan P.E.N Club (Shinobu Yoshioka, president), which is comprised of 1,500 Japanese authors, released a declaration titled, “On the day of Okinawa’s Irei no Hi, we demand that the government take back their words, and reconsider new base construction...

Springer Nature ranks Okinawan graduate university as 10th best research institution worldwide

Springer Nature ranks Okinawan graduate university as 10th best research institution worldwide

June 20, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

On June 19 the global science publisher Springer Nature released its 2018 rankings of worldwide research institutions, ranking the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) which is located in Tancha, Onna Village, as first place in Japan...

Female firefighter in New Caledonia finds her Okinawan roots

Female firefighter in New Caledonia finds her Okinawan roots

June 16, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

New Caledonia Correspondent Yumiko Yamada of Ryukyu Shimpo

New Caledonia, which is known as the “closest island to paradise,” is also one of the world’s leading nickel producers. Due to the nature of open cast mining, some of the red soil of the nickel...

Japanese government knew of Kadena Air Base’s PFOS contamination, did not disclose it

Japanese government knew of Kadena Air Base’s PFOS contamination, did not disclose it

June 19, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

High concentrations of the chemicals PFOS and PFOA have been detected in rivers and springs in the vicinity of U.S. military bases in the central part of Okinawa Island. There is data to suggest that these chemicals could be carcinogenic. On June 18 the Ryukyu Shimpo...

Despite promises to curtail incidents involving the U.S. military, the Japanese government’s Okinawa regional safety patrol reports 75% of their incident responses involve drunkenness, only 0.7% involve the U.S. military

Despite promises to curtail incidents involving the U.S. military, the Japanese government’s Okinawa regional safety patrol reports 75% of their incident responses involve drunkenness, only 0.7% involve the U.S. military

June 21, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

After the 2016 incident in which an ex-Marine U.S. military base worker murdered a woman in Okinawa, the Japanese government created the “Okinawa Regional Safety Patrol” as a policy to prevent further incidents, which to-date has cost around 1.5 billion yen....

Final day of the Makishi Public Market in photos

Final day of the Makishi Public Market in photos

Jun 17 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

The dilapidated Makishi Public Market in Naha City is getting a facelift—Jun 16 was its last day of business before renovating. The market was lively until the very end. The shops, patrons, and nearby residents were all tearful, but positive. The market is an integral...

Okinawa Assembly unanimously adopts resolution protesting U.S. military fallen parts incidents

Okinawa Assembly unanimously adopts resolution protesting U.S. military fallen parts incidents

June 18, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo online edition

On the morning of June 18 the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly opened its June plenary session. At the meeting the Assembly unanimously adopted a protest resolution and written statement in protest of the incident in which a piece of blade tape fell onto...

Himeyuri Peace Museum friends and supporters celebrate 30 years since the museum’s opening, express hopes for the next generation

Himeyuri Peace Museum friends and supporters celebrate 30 years since the museum’s opening, express hopes for the next generation

June 15, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

On June 14, the Himeyuri Peace Memorial Foundation (director: Masanori Nakahodo) held a celebration in Naha for the 30th anniversary of the Himeyuri Peace Museum in Itoman, which will enter its 30th year on June 23. Around 80 people, including former Himeyuri students...