Archive for the Politics Category

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Former Soviet Union President Gorbachev says Okinawa needs to have nuclear inspections in interview

Former Soviet Union President Gorbachev says Okinawa needs to have nuclear inspections in interview

October 28, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
Tsuyoshi Arakaki

Former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev, 88, who received the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending the Cold War, sat down with the Ryukyu Shimpo recently in Moscow for an exclusive interview.

When asked if he knew if the U.S. military had nuclear weapons in Okinawa from the reversion to Japan in 1972 through the end of the Cold War, he refrained from making a definitive statement, however he suggested the necessity...

 

“I told them the facts on the ground.” Governor Denny Tamaki stresses results in his return to Okinawa after visiting the U.S.

“I told them the facts on the ground.” Governor Denny Tamaki stresses results in his return to Okinawa after visiting the U.S.

October 21, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki returned to Okinawa October 20 from a trip to the United States, where he was requesting a halt to the relocation of MCAS Futenma to Henoko in Nago.

In a statement given on the day of arrival, Tamaki reported that his meetings...

Okinawa Prefectural Assembly requests revisions to Status of Forces Agreement

Okinawa Prefectural Assembly requests revisions to Status of Forces Agreement

October 16, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

On October 15, the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly held September’s final session. The assembly unanimously agreed on a memorandum requesting drastic revisions to the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement. This was in response to a U.S. Marine Corps vertical take-off...

In exclusive interview, Putin advisor Sergei Glazyev indicates Okinawan Bases, “Impediment for Russo-Japanese relations,” indicates a harmful subordination to the U.S.

In exclusive interview, Putin advisor Sergei Glazyev indicates Okinawan Bases, “Impediment for Russo-Japanese relations,” indicates a harmful subordination to the U.S.

October 7, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
Tsuyoshi Arakaki

Sergei Glazyev, a top economic advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, gave an exclusive interview to the Ryukyu Shimpo October 6, in which he commented on issues and hopes for Russo-Japanese relations, as well as other topics such as...

U.S. informs Russia of plans to deploy intermediate-range missiles to Okinawa in the next two years, worrying some that the base burden will increase significantly

U.S. informs Russia of plans to deploy intermediate-range missiles to Okinawa in the next two years, worrying some that the base burden will increase significantly

October 3, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
Tsuyoshi Arakakai

After withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty) on August 2, the U.S. announced that it would be deploying a large quantity of intermediate-range ballistic missiles, which were banned under the treaty, to...

Community roundtable for island-wide debate on SDGs and inclusivity

Community roundtable for island-wide debate on SDGs and inclusivity

September 29, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

“Community Roundtable to Promote SDGs”, a platform to allow island-wide discussions on advancing SDGs (United Nations sustainable development goals), was held on September 28 at the Okinawa Prefectural Library in Naha City.
A group of 80 residents...

Seven years after the deployment of MV-22 Ospreys to MCAS Futenma, night flights outside the agreed upon times increasing

Seven years after the deployment of MV-22 Ospreys to MCAS Futenma, night flights outside the agreed upon times increasing

October 1, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

It has been seven years since the MV-22 vertical-takeoff-and-landing-capable (VTOL) transport aircraft was deployed to MCAS Futenma in Ginowan. As part of measures taken to reduce noise pollution from aircraft (the noise pollution prevention agreement), flights...

U.S. military denies Okinawa’s request to enter military base for surveying, delaying highway construction

U.S. military denies Okinawa’s request to enter military base for surveying, delaying highway construction

September 26, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
Saki Yoshida

Part of the work on Prefectural Route 24 Bypass, which is Okinawa is constructing to connect Chatan and Okinawa City, is being suspended as Okinawa has not received permission from the U.S. military for the work.

Part of the planned...

High costs at OIST, one of the top research universities in the work? Japan’s Ministry of Finance instructs the school to strengthen research results

High costs at OIST, one of the top research universities in the work? Japan’s Ministry of Finance instructs the school to strengthen research results

September 13, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Tokyo – Japan’s Cabinet Office opened an investigative commission to discuss future challenges for the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate School September 12.

In June, the Ministry of Finance released an expenditure review,...

Governor Tamaki, “The central government is masquerading as a ‘private individual’” in lawsuit surrounding permission for land reclamation at Henoko

Governor Tamaki, “The central government is masquerading as a ‘private individual’” in lawsuit surrounding permission for land reclamation at Henoko

September 19, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

The first round of oral arguments was held at the Fukuoka High Court Naha Branch (Judge Masamichi Okubo, presiding) September 18 in the “Voiding of involvement lawsuit,” which was filed by Okinawa against Japan after the Minister of Land, Infrastructure,...

Local protest at civilian Motobu Port blocks entry of U.S. military boat intended for training

Local protest at civilian Motobu Port blocks entry of U.S. military boat intended for training

September 18, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

On September 17 the U.S. Marine Corps in Okinawa, planned to use one U.S. military Open Water Safety Boat for the purpose of training at Motobu Port in Motobu Town.

Although the boat was transported to the port, due to a protest by citizens and longshoremen,...