Archive for August, 2019

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After numerous instances of poaching, Okinawa to close hiking trails in Kunigami at night starting August 26, in an effort to protect the Yanbaru long-armed scarab beetle

After numerous instances of poaching, Okinawa to close hiking trails in Kunigami at night starting August 26, in an effort to protect the Yanbaru long-armed scarab beetle

August 18, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

In an effort to stop the poaching of plants and animals such as the Yanbaru long-armed scarab beetle, a Japanese protected species that lives only in Yanbaru, in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island, the Okinawa Environmental Protection Agency will close trails in Kunigami at night from August 26 through October 21, as a test to gauge the efficacy of such a policy.

The agency stated, “We do not want the precious plants and animals from Yanbaru...

 

U.S. military disposes of 2017 helicopter fire incident soil without notifying Japanese authorities

U.S. military disposes of 2017 helicopter fire incident soil without notifying Japanese authorities

August 14, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

In regard to a 2017 incident in which a U.S. military helicopter made an emergency landing and burst into flames in Takae, Higashi Village, the U.S. military removed and hauled a portion of soil from the incident site to Camp Kinser in Urasoe City, and on August...

Traditional event Mushaama held to pray for Hateruma Island’s prosperity

Traditional event Mushaama held to pray for Hateruma Island’s prosperity

August 15, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

On August 14, which was nakanuhii for Okinawa’s old Bon, a traditional event called “mushaama” was held.

“Mushaama” consists of holding memorial services for ancestors at Taketomi Town’s Hateruma Island, along with praying for a good harvest...

MCAS Futenma 2018 air traffic survey results show that established flight path deviations are becoming the norm

MCAS Futenma 2018 air traffic survey results show that established flight path deviations are becoming the norm

August 10, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

(Chubu) The Okinawa Defense Bureau (ODB) began their 2018 inspection of a survey that tracks the flightpaths of U.S. military aircraft in the area around MCAS Futenma on August 9, run out of the ODB offices in Kadena.

After the U.S. military helicopter crash...

Protest held outside GinowanCity Hall 15 years after helicopter crash at Okinawa International University

Protest held outside GinowanCity Hall 15 years after helicopter crash at Okinawa International University

August 12, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

(Ginowan) August 13 marks 15 years since the day a U.S. military helicopter crashed over Okinawa International University, and on August 11, in advance of the date, Shimagurumi Kaigi Ginowan and the Futenma Noise Lawsuit Group held a protest outside Ginowan City...

OPG starts new lawsuit, Okinawa Governor Tamaki stands up for Okinawans’ opposition to FRF

OPG starts new lawsuit, Okinawa Governor Tamaki stands up for Okinawans’ opposition to FRF

August 7, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

In the afternoon on August 7, Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki held a press conference at the Prefectural Office concerning the new lawsuit that the Okinawa Prefectural Government (OPG) is bringing against the Japanese government over construction of the Futenma Replacement...

Shinugu: Ada’s ancient Okinawan harvest ritual

Shinugu: Ada’s ancient Okinawan harvest ritual

August 7, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Shinugu is the traditional Okinawan harvest ritual, but the shinugu ritual of Ada, Kunigami-son, is designated an “Important Intangible Cultural Property” by the Japanese government. On Aug 6, several of Ada’s local men played the part of the “harvest gods”...

“Pikachu” appears at an Okinawan port

“Pikachu” appears at an Okinawan port

August 8, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Hiroyuki Takatsuji

“Isn’t this Pikachu?” A mysterious creature was found at a fishing port on the northern part of the main island of Okinawa causing controversy over the Internet, where a video of the creature was posted. The creature has become a...

Editorial: Record number of constitutional court case disposals is a foolish abandonment of future reexamination

August 7, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Even though it will be thought of as treating human rights carelessly, there is nothing to be done about it.

Already, courts all over Japan have thrown out the records of a majority of important post-war civil suits that debated constitutionality.

Of...

US contestants receive traditional Ryukyu music awards

US contestants receive traditional Ryukyu music awards

August 5, 2019 The Ryukyu Shimpo
Sanemichi Kinjo

Two fourth-generation Okinawan-American performers from the Los Angeles branch of the Afuso School of Classical Ryukyu Music Association (Koten Afuso-ryu Ongaku Kenkyuu Choichi Kai USA), Ryan Yasuaki Nakamatsu, 35, and his apprentice, Yuko...

The best in the world from 50 countries show their stuff at the Okinawa Traditional Karate Ceremony

The best in the world from 50 countries show their stuff at the Okinawa Traditional Karate Ceremony

August 5, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

The 8th Okinawa Traditional Karate Ceremony (hosted by the International Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-do Federation – IOGKF) held their demonstration event at the Okinawa Budokan in Naha August 4, the final day of the even which opened July 29.

Celebrating...