Archive for the Politics Category

Recent News

PM Abe’s policy speech emphasizes Henoko relocation, fails to mention closely attending to Okinawans’ feelings

January 29, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

In a policy speech at the National Diet on January 28, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe once again stated his intention to move forward with the relocation of Futenma Air Station to Henoko, Nago City. He said, “After more than twenty years of discussions with Okinawa’s prefectural government and its municipalities, we will move forward with the Henoko relocation. As soon as possible we will fully return Futenma Air Station, which is known as the most dangerous...

 

Central government considers Henoko seafloor reinforcement method using 60,000 sand pillars

Central government considers Henoko seafloor reinforcement method using 60,000 sand pillars

February 1, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

On January 31, it came to light that the Japanese government is considering using approximately 60,000 sand pillars at a depth 70 meters under the water of Oura Bay as the soil improvement method on a 57-hectare area of soft seafloor in the land reclamation area...

At their first meeting Governor Tamaki tells Okinawa Area Coordinator, “We are past our breaking point”

At their first meeting Governor Tamaki tells Okinawa Area Coordinator, “We are past our breaking point”

 

January 24, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki held his first meeting with the U.S. military’s top commander in Okinawa, Okinawa Area Coordinator Lieutenant General Eric Smith.

At the meeting, the governor told the OAC that regarding the over-burdening...

Henoko seawall construction continues without transplanting Oura Bay coral

Henoko seawall construction continues without transplanting Oura Bay coral

 

January 23, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

The Okinawa Defense Bureau (ODB) stated its perspective that as part of construction of the Futenma Replacement Facility in Henoko, even without transplanting coral, construction of the seawalls on the Oura Bay side of Cape Henoko will...

Japanese government looks to alter Henoko construction plan after acknowledging soft foundation, wants to reclaim land in new zone

Japanese government looks to alter Henoko construction plan after acknowledging soft foundation, wants to reclaim land in new zone

 

January 22, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

It was learned January 21 that the Japanese government is looking to being with a revised construction plan this spring, with an eye towards improving the soft foundation of the undersea area where land reclamation is taking place as...

For Henoko land reclamation, Prime Minister Abe claims, “The coral there is being relocated,” however the reality is no such activity is taking place in the landfill area

For Henoko land reclamation, Prime Minister Abe claims, “The coral there is being relocated,” however the reality is no such activity is taking place in the landfill area

January 8, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made a false claim about the land reclamation work in Henoko Bay, part of the relocation of MCAS Futenma (located in Ginowan, Okinawa) to the Henoko area of Nago, while on a political discussion show this past Sunday, January 6. The prime...

Postponement of seawall construction in Oura Bay for FY2020 on may be result of soft seabed

Postponement of seawall construction in Oura Bay for FY2020 on may be result of soft seabed

 

December 22, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On December 21, it came to light that construction of the seawalls on the Oura Bay side of Cape Henoko, planned for FY2018, is to be postponed to FY2020 or beyond.

Building the seawalls is part of construction of the Futenma...

Former Army Colonel Wilkerson says Marine Corps in Okinawa is “strategically unnecessary”

Former Army Colonel Wilkerson says Marine Corps in Okinawa is “strategically unnecessary”

December 23, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Washington Special Correspondent Yukiyo Zaha

On December 19 former U.S. Army Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, who worked as the chief of staff to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell during George W. Bush’s administration, had an interview with the...

Okinawa Prefectural Assembly demands immediate halt to soil deposits in Henoko

Okinawa Prefectural Assembly demands immediate halt to soil deposits in Henoko

December 21, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

On December 20 the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly (chaired by Yonekichi Shinzato) held the final meeting of its November plenary session. At this meeting, the Assembly adopted a position statement through a majority vote, carried by the prefectural ruling coalition....

U.S. coalition calls for closure of overseas U.S. bases in line with Okinawans’ wishes

 

December 1, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

Special correspondent Yukiyo Zaha reports from Washington DC

...

Two missing dugongs may substantiate OPG claim that Henoko construction harms environment

Two missing dugongs may substantiate OPG claim that Henoko construction harms environment

December 3, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

By Yuri Shimizu and Akira Manato

A dugong (specimen A) known to inhabit the waters off of Kayo near the construction site of the Futenma Replacement Facility (FRF) in Henoko, Nago City, has not been spotted in over two months. On November...