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Man arrested for fraud after buying cigarettes using imitation “money for the afterlife”

Man arrested for fraud after buying cigarettes using imitation “money for the afterlife”

April 15, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

Ururma Police arrested a 22-year-old unemployed man with no fixed address for fraud and traffic violations (driving without a license) after the man used “Uchikabi,” imitation paper money placed at tombs and shrines for ancestors to use in the afterlife, resembling a 10,000 yen bill, to buy cigarettes at a convenience store, receiving 9,510 yen in change.

The man has admitted to the charge of driving without a license, but is contesting the charge...

 

JetStar Japan to suspend all flights from Shimojishima Airport to Narita and all connecting flights from April 10 –May 6

JetStar Japan to suspend all flights from Shimojishima Airport to Narita and all connecting flights from April 10 –May 6

April 9, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

JetStar Japan announced April 9 that they are suspending all flights between Shimojishima Airport and Narita Airport, as well as all connecting flights from April 10 through May 6.

As a result, Shimojishima Airport Management, the firm that operates the Miyako...

Okinawa Medical Association “strongly requests” people from outside prefecture to refrain from returning to archipelago for tomb sweeping festival

Okinawa Medical Association “strongly requests” people from outside prefecture to refrain from returning to archipelago for tomb sweeping festival

April 2, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

Due to the continued spread of COVID-19, the Okinawa Medical Association (Tetsuyoshi Asato, committee chair) announced April 2 that, with the opening of the tomb sweeping festival (shimi) season taking place this weekend, they are asking people to refrain from returning...

Money for the afterlife, “Uchikabi” production springs into peak production as the Okinawan shimi season kicks off

Money for the afterlife, “Uchikabi” production springs into peak production as the Okinawan shimi season kicks off

April 6, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

A vital part of shimi in Okinawa, the tomb sweeping festival season, as well as the Bon festival, the peak season for manufacturing “uchikabi,” money for the afterlife, has arrived. Showa Seishi (Uruma), Okinawa’s only manufacturer of...

A beach opening with no swimmers? Japan’s southernmost event to be curtailed by COVID-19

A beach opening with no swimmers? Japan’s southernmost event to be curtailed by COVID-19

March 15, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

Ishigaki – “Japan’s Southernmost point! Yaeyama Beach Opening 2020” (hosted by the Yaeyama Visitor’s Bureau) was held March 14 at Sukuji Beach in Kabira, Yaeyama. However, the event was greatly scaled back as a prevention measure against the spread of...

El Comal food stand in Miyakojima is lining up customers with their spicy tacos, a blend of island ingredients and original Mexican flavor

El Comal food stand in Miyakojima is lining up customers with their spicy tacos, a blend of island ingredients and original Mexican flavor

March 7, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

Miyakojima – Tacos and beans with a spicy flavor that never gets old, refreshing mojitos, and sweet and sophisticated premium tequila.

These can all be enjoyed at El Comal, a Tex-Mex food stand tucked into Shimozato Street in Hirara, Miyakojima.

The...

One of a kind! An armored deep sea fish? Churaumi Aquarium displays the rare oni armored searobin for the first time ever

One of a kind! An armored deep sea fish? Churaumi Aquarium displays the rare oni armored searobin for the first time ever

December 17, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Motobu – The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium has for the first time in the world put the exceedingly rare deep-sea oni armored searobin on display.

As the name suggests, armored searobins are characterized by scales that look like a suit of armor, however...

Ginowan City begins crowdfunding for funds to restore the Okinawa Peace Prayer Statue prototype

Ginowan City begins crowdfunding for funds to restore the Okinawa Peace Prayer Statue prototype

June 14, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Ginowan – “Peace from Futenma.” Ginowan City in Okinawa announced June 13 that they have begun crowdfunding on the internet to raise the money to restore a prototype for a peace statue stored in a studio in Futenma, in order to eventually display the statue...

Okinawa Defense Bureau suspends construction as crested serpent eagle spotted building nest in area of planned JSDF deployment

Okinawa Defense Bureau suspends construction as crested serpent eagle spotted building nest in area of planned JSDF deployment

May 10, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Ishigaki – The Okinawa Defense Bureau announced May 9 that during an environmental monitoring survey conducted at the end of April in Hirae, Ishigaki, where the JSDF plans to deploy, the found a crested serpent eagle, a national special natural monument, building...

Andres Higa, one of the founders of “Uchinanchu Day” marries fellow Uchinanchu after meeting in Okinawa

Andres Higa, one of the founders of “Uchinanchu Day” marries fellow Uchinanchu after meeting in Okinawa

January 30, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Nago – Andres Higa ,43, a second generation Okinawan-Argentinian who has established the “World Uchinanchu Day” and “ International Day of Nikkei,” married Cynthia...

The western-most cillantro production site Yonaguni attracts fans

The western-most cillantro production site Yonaguni attracts fans

February 28, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Mikako Shimoji

“Kushiti,” cillantro that has been used and enjoyed in dishes on Yonaguni Island in Okinawa is becoming a center of campaign to promote the herb. The Yonaguni town signed an ordinance to mark second Sunday of December as “Kushiti...