Archive for August, 2021

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Chair of expert committee notes short supply of hospital beds in determining that “Okinawa is having the toughest time” with COVID-19 in Japan

Chair of expert committee notes short supply of hospital beds in determining that “Okinawa is having the toughest time” with COVID-19 in Japan

August 26, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Tokyo – Takaji Wakita, the chairman of an advisory board of experts assembled to advise the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) on policies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, indicated on August 25 that Okinawa’s strained healthcare system as it battles with the spread of the coronavirus puts it in a situation that is, “the toughest of all 47 prefectures in Japan.”

According to data released by the advisory board, Okinawa’s...

 

Naha ranks second in list of best cities to live in Japan

Naha ranks second in list of best cities to live in Japan

August 26, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On August 25, Tokyo-based Daito Trust Construction Company, led by President Katsuma Kobayashi, published its ranking of the most livable places in Japan and places people want to move to. Ranked by municipality, Naha City ranked 2nd in the list of...

Ginowan citizens rally to protest Marine Corps releasing PFAS-contaminated water

Ginowan citizens rally to protest Marine Corps releasing PFAS-contaminated water

August 27, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

In response to an incident in which water contaminated with polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that had been stored on Futenma Air Station was treated and released into the sewers by the U.S. Marine Corps, on August 26 Ginowan citizens rallied in front...

Futenma Begins Disposing of PFAS-Polluted Water in Sewage System Disposal is “Safe and Clean”, Says U.S. Military

Futenma Begins Disposing of PFAS-Polluted Water in Sewage System  Disposal is “Safe and Clean”, Says U.S. Military

August 26, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On the morning of August 26, the U.S. Marines in Okinawa announced that they have begun disposing of polluted water containing organofluorine compounds (PFAS) in the public sewage system after the water has been treated. They had been storing the...

Despite requests not to visit, the Tokashiki beaches see a constant stream of tourists

Despite requests not to visit, the Tokashiki beaches see a constant stream of tourists

August 23, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Hideaki Yoneda

 

Tokashiki – Paying no heed to the coronavirus pandemic, large numbers of tourists have come to Tokashiki Island, filling the beaches for some fun in the sand, sun, and ocean water.

Despite a typhoon cancelling ferries...

Academia, government enter seven-party partnership to preserve World Natural Heritage sites in Okinawa

Academia, government enter seven-party partnership to preserve World Natural Heritage sites in Okinawa

August 20, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On August 19, seven parties, including the prefectural government and the University of the Ryukyus, entered a partnership agreement to preserve and manage the World Natural Heritage sites of northern Okinawa and Iriomote Island. The partnership will...

With Miyakojima becoming one of the world’s worst hot zones of the coronavirus, mayor pleads with people “do not come here”

With Miyakojima becoming one of the world’s worst hot zones of the coronavirus, mayor pleads with people “do not come here”

August 19, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Miyakojima Mayor Kazuyuki Zakimi held a press conference at the Miyakojima City Hall August 18, where he warned both tourists and people looking to return home to the island that the area had become “one of the world’s worst hot zones” of COVID-19,...

Fallen component from Osprey aircraft exceeds one meter in size, according to U.S. military

Fallen component from Osprey aircraft exceeds one meter in size, according to U.S. military

August 20, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Concerning an incident on August 12 in which components of a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft fell therefrom, the Okinawa Defense Bureau (ODB) on August 19 clarified that one of the components in question was a panel exceeding one...

“Respect the War Dead” Gushiken’s Hunger Strike in Front of Yasukuni Shrine on Memorial Day for the End of the War Draws Attention to the Issue of War Dead Remains at Okinawan Battleground

“Respect the War Dead” Gushiken’s Hunger Strike in Front of Yasukuni Shrine on Memorial Day for the End of the War Draws Attention to the Issue of War Dead Remains at Okinawan Battleground

August 15, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Tokyo – On August 15, Memorial Day for the End of the War, Takamatsu Gushiken continued his hunger strike in front of the Nippon Budokan in Chiyoda. He began the hunger strike on August 14. Gushiken is a representative of the Gamafuya, a group of...

Okinawa has had zero extremely hot days this year despite being so far south, why is this?

Okinawa has had zero extremely hot days this year despite being so far south, why is this?

August 16 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

According to the Okinawa Meteorological Observatory (OMO) the Okinawa archipelago has yet to record an extremely hot day, meaning a high temperature exceeding 35 degrees Celsius, in 2021 as of August 12. Meanwhile, Areas such as the Kanto region has seen continuing...

Four Goat Kids Born in One Month at Hentona High School in Ogimi

Four Goat Kids Born in One Month at Hentona High School in Ogimi

August 12, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Ogimi – In the approximately one month from late June to late July, four goat kids were born one after the other at Hentona High School in Ogimi, a town close to a forest that is a natural heritage site. The four goats were born to three of the...