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Japan’s best guitarist is a second grader from Okinawa—father helps daughter achieve her dreams

Japan’s best guitarist is a second grader from Okinawa—father helps daughter achieve her dreams

June 16, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Saki Yoshida

 

On June 13, Hana Hanzawa, 7, a second grader at Jonan Elementary School in Naha City, won first place in the lower elementary school division of the national 43rd Junior Guitar Competition (sponsored by Japan Junior Guitar Education Association). Hana said with a big smile, “I jumped for joy when I found out I won.” She began playing the guitar when she was three years old and diligently practices with her father...

 

Okinawa Christians sing outside U.S. military base wishing for a peaceful world without fence

Okinawa Christians sing outside U.S. military base wishing for a peaceful world without fence

December 16, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Hirofumi Mazaki

 

Kitanakagusuku—On the evening of December 13, about 70 people gathered outside one of the gates to U.S. Marine Corps’ Camp Foster for the 33rd Christmas for Okinawans event, which was organized by various Christian...

“Everyone helps each other” Natsuko Izena talks about barrier-free living regardless of disabilities

“Everyone helps each other” Natsuko Izena talks about barrier-free living regardless of disabilities

 

November 18, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On November 17 at Urasoe City Tedako Hall a forum was held for a project promoting a barrier-free, livable society regardless of disability.

Columnist Natsuko Izena gave a lecture themed, “What does it mean to help each other?”

Izena...

Hawaiians with Okinawan ancestry play sanshin for peace in Yomitan

Hawaiians with Okinawan ancestry play sanshin for peace in Yomitan

 

November 3, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Approximately twenty Hawaiians with Okinawan ancestry visited the Chibichirigama in Yomitan Village on November 1, where a group of young men had vandalized the natural cave. The group played Kwamucha-bushi and made offered up origami...

People sigh in relief as ferry finally arrives with goods after typhoons

People sigh in relief as ferry finally arrives with goods after typhoons

 

November 3, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Due to typhoons numbers 21 and 22, the ferry from the main island of Okinawa was unable to make its delivery to Minamidaito and Kitadaito Villages since October 15.

On November 2, for the first time in 18 days, the ferry arrived...

Volunteer group Pokinawa presents plan to set up permanent consultation mechanism to prevent crimes by US military

Volunteer group Pokinawa presents plan to set up permanent consultation mechanism to prevent crimes by US military

July 3, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

On July 2, in Naha City, the group Pokinawa (Positive Campaign Okinawa), which aims to overcome differences in opinion through dialogue, held a presentation to discuss plans to prevent crimes by U.S. military in light of the rape and murder of an Okinawan woman by...

1000 people stand in line for the first H&M store at Okinawa Rycom

1000 people stand in line for the first H&M store at Okinawa Rycom

April 20, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

The very first store of the Sweden-based, globally well-known clothing brand, Hennes & Mauritz, known as H&M, opened in the AEON mall Okinawa Rycom in Kitanakagusuku Village on April 20. More than 1000 people, mostly women, waited for its opening from early...

Pornography and prostitution are “sexual exploitation”

Pornography and prostitution are “sexual exploitation”

March 28, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

Author Minori Kitahara interviewed by Ami Chibana

The situations in which young women are likely to be pulled into the sex industry and the issue with people being forced to make an appearance in porn – what exactly is in the background of this huge industry...

Documentary film “Targeted Island Kaji kataka” by director Mikami completed

Documentary film “Targeted Island Kaji kataka” by director Mikami completed

February 2, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

A new documentary film titled “Targeted Island Kaji kataka” captures the military base issue in Okinawa from residents’ perspectives. This is the third and the latest work of the director Chie Mikami following “The Targeted Village” and “We Shall Overcome...

Former ASDF pilot makes visual presentation concerning dangers of Osprey for EACI

Former ASDF pilot makes visual presentation concerning dangers of Osprey for EACI

January 23, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

On January 22, 77-year-old Masumi Okunishi from Haebaru Town spoke about Osprey in front of a full audience at the Ryukyu Center of the East Asian Community Institute (EACI) in Naha. The former Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) pilot made and presented a picture-story...

Annis and Uehara publish English shopping guide of Okinawan vegetables and farmer’s markets

Annis and Uehara publish English shopping guide of Okinawan vegetables and farmer’s markets

November 24, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

Okinawans are very well-acquainted with goya (bitter gourds), hechima (loofah gourds), handama (Okinawan spinach), and such Okinawan vegetables. However, when foreign people first encounter these, they notice many peculiarities in appearance and taste. Casey...