Archive for the Politics Category

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Japanese government demands U.S. soldiers limit going outside, enact effective coronavirus prevention measures

Japanese government demands U.S. soldiers limit going outside, enact effective coronavirus prevention measures

January 7, 2022 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Manabu Saito and Shoehi Tsukazaki

 

Tokyo – Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoshimasa Hayashi spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on the phone January 6, where he requested that the U.S. military thoroughly strengthen measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including restricting U.S. soldiers from going outside. With the omicron variant rapidly spreading throughout the U.S. military bases in Japan, the level of concern...

　

In year-opening statement, Governor Tamaki plans to release a proposal for the 50th anniversary of the reversion “taking into account the opinions of Okinawan residents,” resolves to reduce the burden of U.S. military bases

In year-opening statement, Governor Tamaki plans to release a proposal for the 50th anniversary of the reversion “taking into account the opinions of Okinawan residents,” resolves to reduce the burden of U.S. military bases

January 4, 2022 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki delivered year-opening remarks to employees at the Okinawa Prefectural Office on January 4, and said regarding the 50th anniversary of Okinawa being reverted to Japanese control, “We will take into consideration the...

Gov. Tamaki determined to “expand circle of trust” in the new year, Kudakajima Yuimaru-no-kai gifts ganshina

Gov. Tamaki determined to “expand circle of trust” in the new year, Kudakajima Yuimaru-no-kai gifts ganshina

December 30, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Masaaki Umeda

 

The Kudakajima Yuimaru-no-kai (chaired by Yoshihisa Nishime), which aims to conserve Kudaka Island’s tradition, met with Governor Denny Tamaki at the Okinawa Prefectural Government Office on December 28 and gifted a...

Okinawa’s development budget for 2022 falls below 300-billion-yen, Governor Tamaki decries “a very regrettable way to start Okinawa’s 50th year since the reversion”

Okinawa’s development budget for 2022 falls below 300-billion-yen, Governor Tamaki decries “a very regrettable way to start Okinawa’s 50th year since the reversion”

December 23 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Masaaki Umeda

 

Upon hearing the news on December 22 that the 2022 Okinawa Development Budget would fall below 300 billion yen for the first time in 10 years, dropping 33 billion yen to 268 billion, Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki made a statement,...

Symposium addresses “Taiwan emergency” and increasing military fortification of Okinawa

Symposium addresses “Taiwan emergency” and increasing military fortification of Okinawa

December 20, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Chie Tome

On December 19 the East Asian Community Institute Ryukyu Okinawa Center held the “Anti-Crisis on the Eve of ‘the Southwest Shift Taiwan Emergency’ War” symposium at Ryukyu Shimpo Hall in Naha City. Military journalist Makoto...

Local parents urge Defense Bureau to block military flights over daycare center after parts fall from sky

Local parents urge Defense Bureau to block military flights over daycare center after parts fall from sky

December 8, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Erina Ishii

 

On December 7, four years after parts from a U.S. military aircraft fell on Midorigaoka daycare center in Nodake, Ginowan City, a group of parents visited the Okinawa Defense Bureau in Kadena and the Okinawa Office of the Ministry...

Governor expresses that diplomacy comes before military force, speaking of JSDF deployment

Governor expresses that diplomacy comes before military force, speaking of JSDF deployment

December 8, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

During a general interpellation at the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly on December 7, in response to an inquiry about the deployment of the Japan Self-Defense Force to Okinawa, Governor Denny Tamaki expressed the understanding that diplomatic efforts...

Kitadaito village council unanimously votes to invite JSDF to station on their island

Kitadaito village council unanimously votes to invite JSDF to station on their island

December 9, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Kitadaito – The Kitadaito town council (Masami Uema, chairman) deliberated a “written opinion on inviting the Japanese Self-Defense Force (JSDF)” to the island, and unanimously adopted the document at their December 9 regular session.

 

The...

Prime minister Kishida says Henoko relocation is “the only solution,” links position to Okinawa economic promotion in his general policy speech

Prime minister Kishida says Henoko relocation is “the only solution,” links position to Okinawa economic promotion in his general policy speech

December 7, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Yosuke Anri

 

Prime minister Fumio Kishida gave a general policy speech on December 6, his first since the formation of his second cabinet. In the speech he clarified his position on proceeding with the relocation of MCAS Futenma to new base...

Base burden reduction on Okinawa still distant concept 25 year after SACO agreement

Base burden reduction on Okinawa still distant concept 25 year after SACO agreement

December 2, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Manato Akira

 

December 2 marked 25 years since the Japan-U.S. Special Action Committee on Okinawa (SACO) issued its 1996 final report, which established plans such as the return of approximately 5,000 hectares of U.S. military base land...

OPG rejects FRF construction design changes due to deficiencies in soft seafloor investigation

OPG rejects FRF construction design changes due to deficiencies in soft seafloor investigation

November 26, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On November 25, the Okinawa Prefectural Government (OPG) decided to reject the Okinawa Defense Bureau’s (ODB’s) design change application for soft seafloor improvement work pertaining to construction of the Futenma Replacement Facility...