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Okinawa Churashima Foundation confirms humpback whale mate between January and February

Okinawa Churashima Foundation confirms humpback whale mate between January and February

July 7, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

Okinawa Churashima Foundation, a general incorporated foundation, in Motobu Town, has published findings from a 21-year research project about the reproductive cycles of humpback whales that visit the ocean around Okinawa. The study focused on the peak season of reproduction when mating and delivery occur, and the analysis was published in an online academic journal.

The study was conducted for 21 years, between 1991 and 2012. In that time, 1,284 random...

 

Young generation make a promise for no-war at Zuisen monument

Young generation make a promise for no-war at Zuisen monument

June 24, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

A memorial service for the war dead was held at Zuisen Monument in Komesu, Itoman on June 23. The names of students from the former prefectural Shuri Girls’ High School are inscribed on the monument. A junior high-school student read a “Message for Peace,”...

Inheriting non-violent way of life from father of the Okinawan civil rights movement

Inheriting non-violent way of life from father of the Okinawan civil rights movement

June 30, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Hiroe Nakagawa

On June 17, Kazuyuki Sasaki, who teaches Peace Studies at a university in the Republic of Rwanda, located in central Africa, and his wife Megumi visited the “Wabiai no Sato” foundation in Ie Village. They had a conversation with...

Nishimura wins Itoman Hare on Yukkanuhi

Nishimura wins Itoman Hare on Yukkanuhi

June 8, 2016 Ryuykyu Shimpo

On June 8, which was May 4 in the Lunar Calendar, the Itoman Hare boat race was held at Itoman Harbor Central Area in Itoman City to usher in the fishing season with prayers for a safe voyage and a big catch. At Nashiro of Itoman City and Ou Island in Nanjo City,...

Trapped sea turtle saved on Tonaki Island beach

Trapped sea turtle saved on Tonaki Island beach

June 7, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Nana Sasahara

On May 30, at Yubukuhama beach on Tonaki Island, a local resident found a green sea turtle unable to move in the sand and notified the village office.

The turtle was 130 cm in length. It seemed that the turtle was trapped in a hole, which...

130-meter long coral reefs found in Gushikawa Island, Izena

130-meter long coral reefs found in Gushikawa Island, Izena

May 13, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

Yoshikatsu Nakano and a specialist team from the University of the Ryukyus Tropical Biosphere Research Center, and marine photographer Akinori Annou found a large coral reef colony, (Pocillopora), in the area around Gushikawa Island, Izena Village. According to Nakano,...

Jasmine and Tiger’s claw – Aroma of Early Summer in Okinawa

May 4, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

Various flowers such as Vaccinium wrightii A. Gray, tiger’s claw, Chinese wood oil tree, and more are blossoming out in the northern part of Okinawa Island, signaling the coming of summer. Some of the flowers are fragrant, and the flowers will be spectacular with...

LGBT rights advocates share their experiences: “Just be yourself”

LGBT rights advocates share their experiences: “Just be yourself”

May 5, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On April 29 at Go-ma House in Nakasonecho, Okinawa City, an “Attractive Town Seminar” was held at the Multicultural Living Cafe@LGBT to get people to think about the diversity of gender and sexuality. Ramu-chan, Ma-chan, and Ran-chan, who work as radio personalities...

Smallest cicada found in unexpected area

Smallest cicada found in unexpected area

April 27, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

The smallest cicada in Japan, iwasaki kusazemi, was found buzzing on Yagaji Island in Nago City on April 22. Iwasaki kusazemi is a type of cicada, measuring about 1.5-2cm. The cicadas start buzzing around March or April every year.

The cicada was previously...

Yunapachiku shelter monument built to commemorate history of forced mass suicide in Ie Island

Yunapachiku shelter monument built to commemorate history of forced mass suicide in Ie Island

April 20, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On April 12, an unveiling ceremony was held at the Yunapachiku Shelter in Ie Village where a monument was created to commemorate a forced mass suicide that occurred during the Battle of Okinawa. About 30 people including Mayor Hideyuki Shimabukuro and 80-year-old...

Meio University forms interpreter team to assist tourists from abroad

Meio University forms interpreter team to assist tourists from abroad

April 17, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On April 11, Meio University formed a team of volunteer interpreters to serve as guide interpreters at local events. The team is composed of foreign exchange students and students studying foreign languages. A ceremony was held to mark the team’s formation at...