Archive for the Editorial Category

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Editorial: Governor Onaga, who gave his life to fulfill his duty, dies from pancreatic cancer

 

August 9, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Governor Takeshi Onaga, who had been battling progressing pancreatic cancer, died on August 8.

He was 67 years old.

Onaga underwent surgery in April earlier this year, but the cancer cells spread to his liver.

From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to offer our deepest sympathies.

 

Onaga campaigned on stopping the new base facility construction in Henoko Bay, Nago, and he was elected...

　

Editorial: After Governor Onaga’s announcement to revoke land-filling approval, new base construction should be called off

 

July 28, 2018 by Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Governor Takeshi Onaga announced his plan to nullify Okinawa’s approval of...

Editorial: 46 years after the reversion of Okinawa to Japan, a fundamental change to Okinawan Promotion must be made

May 15, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On May 15, 1972, Okinawa was returned to Japanese control. In November of 1971, at the 67th extraordinary Diet, also known as the Okinawan Diet, Chief Executive of the Government of the Ryukyus Chobyo Yara submitted a proposal outlining steps to return...

Editorial: Missile defense unit on Okinawa’s main island is an overreaction that invites danger

February 20, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

The progressing militarization of the Ryukyu Islands is a dangerous plan. It should not even be worth considering.
The Japanese government is currently considering deploying a surface-to-ship missile defense unit on Honto, the main Okinawan island. They...

Editorial: It is too soon to say if Nago City’s Mayor Toguchi accepts the new base

February 5, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

The issue of MCAS Futenma’s relocation to Henoko, Nago City was the major issue at hand in the Nago mayoral election. Taketoyo Toguchi, an independent new candidate endorsed by the Japanese government which is advancing construction in Henoko, beat the independent...

Editorial: U.S. Colonel’s remark comparing cars to military aircraft shows military’s unchanged arrogant sense of authority

 

January 24, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

 

Colonel Darin Clarke, who manages the Marines’ government and external affairs in the Pacific, made a comment in response to the protest resolution from the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly about consecutive U.S. military...

U.S. base worker should face up to his crime in court

 

November 17, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

The incident was a tragic one in which the life of a 20-year old woman with a bright future ahead of her was stolen away.

Although it is the right of the defendant, his exercise of the right to remain silent is difficult to...

Marines should leave Okinawa after U.S. military helicopter goes up in flames in Takae

 

October 12, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

A CH-53 transport helicopter belonging to U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma made an unplanned landing and then burst into flames on civilian land along route 70 in Higashi Village.

The nearest civilian homes were a mere 200...

Henoko construction should be halted to protect scarce coral from further destruction

 

October 3, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

A scarce type of coral has been discovered in the ocean area on the south side of Cape Henoko, where the Japanese government plans to do land reclamation for the construction of a new base in Henoko, Nago City.

The Okinawa Defense...

After 2-plus-2 Conference, How long will Japan continue to be subservient?

 

August 20, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

It may be obvious, but the relationship between Japan and the U.S. is not equal; the imbalanced power relationship continues.

This once again became clear at the joint presentation and press conference for the “2-plus-2” ministerial...

With first memorial service for Okinawan POWs in Hawaii, Japan is obligated to collect remains of fallen

June 6, 2017 by Ryukyu Shimpo

“The memorial service for Okinawan prisoners of war in Hawaii,” which honors the 12 Okinawans who were captured during the Battle of Okinawa, then taken to a prison camp in Hawaii where they died, was just held for the first time in Honolulu.

The twelve...