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U.S. admits to F/A-18 part falling, location unknown. Gov. Tamaki: “It’s outrageous”

U.S. admits to F/A-18 part falling, location unknown. Gov. Tamaki: “It’s outrageous”

February 14, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

A U.S. Navy F/A-18 fighter-attack aircraft (based in Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni) lost its fuel door (panel covering the fuel tank) during an exercise conducted on Kadena Air Base.

On February 13, the U.S. Naval Forces Japan effectively admitted the aircraft had lost the part.

They are unaware of where the debris may have landed.

On the same day, the U.S. Navy flew the same model aircraft out of Kadena Air Base.

Governor...

 

JSDF amphibious brigade joint exercise with US invites further integration

JSDF amphibious brigade joint exercise with US invites further integration

February 2, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Japan Ground Self Defense Force’s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade conducted a joint exercise together with the U.S. military at Kin Blue Beach Training Area in Kin, Okinawa, on February 9, which was open to the news media. It is the first time for the...

Okinawa and Japan to coordinate use of Shuri Castle reconstruction donation funds

Okinawa and Japan to coordinate use of Shuri Castle reconstruction donation funds

February 6, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 6, Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki and Naha City Mayor Mikiko Shiroma held an interview at the Prefectural Office and confirmed that the Okinawa prefectural government will coordinate with the central government toward allocating donations for the reconstruction...

2019 “Sympathy Budget” is 197.4 billion yen, 7 trillion yen cumulative cost to Japan since 1978

2019 “Sympathy Budget” is 197.4 billion yen, 7 trillion yen cumulative cost to Japan since 1978

January 18, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

It has now been 60 years since 1960, when the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty was revised. For 60 years Okinawa has been left to suffer damage from military bases in the name of the security guarantee.

Outside of Okinawa there has been a reduction in U.S. military...

The words “Henoko” and “Futenma” have disappeared from Prime Minister Abe’s policy speeches starting in 2014

The words “Henoko” and “Futenma” have disappeared from Prime Minister Abe’s policy speeches starting in 2014

January 20, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo Digital Edition

In his annual policy speech delivered to the Diet on January 20, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe indicated his administration’s stance on working to reduce the base burden borne by Okinawa, however since 2014 the word “Henoko,” the hot-button destination...

[Exclusive Interview] Former President of Catalonia Puigdemont discusses Okinawa, says ignoring popular will is a mistake

[Exclusive Interview] Former President of Catalonia Puigdemont discusses Okinawa, says ignoring popular will is a mistake

January 5, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
Takahiro Miyagi

On January 4, the Ryukyu Shimpo interviewed Carles Puigdemont, age 57, former President of Catalonia who has been charged with sedition and other acts for carrying out a referendum regarding Catalonian independence in October 2017, in Belgium,...

Governor asks for MCAS Futenma closure, end to Henoko construction in New Year’s greeting

Governor asks for MCAS Futenma closure, end to Henoko construction in New Year’s greeting

January 6, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

On the morning of January 6, when government offices start work, Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki delivered a New Year’s greeting broadcast from the governor’s reception office in the Prefectural Office.

In a message to government workers, he said,...

Ministry of Defense postpones two Henoko-related construction projects to focus on soft ground in Henoko Bay

Ministry of Defense postpones two Henoko-related construction projects to focus on soft ground in Henoko Bay

January 5, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

Tokyo – The Ministry of Defense (MoD) has decided to postpone two projects appropriated for 2019 related to the new base construction in Henoko, Nago City, such as the redirection of a waterway that runs through Camp Schwab.

This was done in order to...

How far will costs rise? 147.1 billion yen already spent on mere 1% of Henoko land reclamation, prefectural government estimates total of 2.55 trillion

How far will costs rise? 147.1 billion yen already spent on mere 1% of Henoko land reclamation, prefectural government estimates total of 2.55 trillion

December 14, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

December 14 marks one year from the day that the government started dumping soil into the bay for the new base construction in Henoko, Nago.

In the past year, roughly 1% of the total soil required for the land reclamation project has been filled in. Going...

“Mainland” intellectuals to issue statement opposing “militarization” of Miyako and Ishigaki

“Mainland” intellectuals to issue statement opposing “militarization” of Miyako and Ishigaki

December 4, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Thirty-two intellectuals, journalists and the like from outside Okinawa have decided to issue a collective statement in opposition to the deployment of Ground Self-Defense Forces in Miyako Island, Ishigaki Island and other outlying islands, and are currently gathering...

A history lesson on the Shuri Castle reconstruction debate—Tokyo, or the prefecture?

A history lesson on the Shuri Castle reconstruction debate—Tokyo, or the prefecture?

November 7, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Mariko Nakamura

Nov. 7—It’s been one week since Shuri Castle’s seiden, or the main hall, was destroyed in a fire. A full investigation of the prefecture’s management will come, meanwhile, mapping out a path to reviving the castle is proving...