Archive for the Politics Category

Recent News

NGOs call for Japan to respect Okinawans’ freedom of expression at UN Human Rights Council

September 21, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On September 19 at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland, the International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR) made a statement delivered by its representative Taisuke Komatsu at the UN Human Rights Council. In the statement the IMADR called on the government of Japan to fully respect Okinawans’ freedom of expression in their protests against construction of US military facilities such as those being built in Henoko,...

 

Okinawa appeals Henoko ruling; final decision expected by year’s end

Okinawa appeals Henoko ruling; final decision expected by year’s end

September 23, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

At 1:30 p.m. on September 23, the Okinawa prefectural government appealed a ruling by the Naha branch of the Fukuoka High Court that judged Governor Onaga’s cancellation of approval to reclaim land to be illegal. The ruling was the result of a lawsuit brought...

Onaga urges LDP Secretary-General Nikai to give up new US base construction

Onaga urges LDP Secretary-General Nikai to give up new US base construction

September 14, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On the morning of September 14, Okinawa Governor Onaga met Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP) during his visit to Okinawa, at the Okinawa Prefectural Office. Onaga said, “Okinawan and Japanese governments have...

Breaking news: Okinawa loses Henoko lawsuit

Breaking news: Okinawa loses Henoko lawsuit

September 16, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

At 2 p.m. on September 16, presiding judge Toshiro Tamiya handed down a verdict in a lawsuit brought by the Japanese national government against the Okinawa prefectural government over Okinawa governor Takeshi Onaga’s cancellation of a permit to reclaim land...

Newly launched Okinawa research society to be advised by former Prime Minister Hatoyama

Newly launched Okinawa research society to be advised by former Prime Minister Hatoyama

September 11, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On September 11, a proposed Okinawa research society of the East Asian Community (EAC) was launched at a symposium held at the University of the Ryukyus. Experts from both within and outside of Okinawa called for the society. It was established as a way to extensively...

US veterans call for stopping new base construction in Okinawa

US veterans call for stopping new base construction in Okinawa

September 9, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On September 8, six members of Veterans for Peace (VFP), a peace organization made up of military veterans, who are visiting Okinawa held a press conference at the Okinawa Prefectural Office. The veterans said that visiting Okinawa brought home to them the fact...

At IUCN workshop, Nago mayor calls for support to stop new US base construction in Henoko

At IUCN workshop, Nago mayor calls for support to stop new US base construction in Henoko

September 6, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo Washington correspondent Sakae Toiyama reports from Honolulu

On September 4, Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine presented at a workshop at the sixth International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress. At the workshop, Inamine reported on...

NGO Human Rights Now criticizes Japanese government for blocking protesters in Henoko and Takae

September 2, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

Authorized NPO and human-rights body Human Rights Now issued statement criticizing the Japanese government for violently cracking down non-violent protesters in Okinawa. It came ahead of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) 33rd regular session, which...

Japanese government allocates over 400 million yen for preventing US military-related crimes

August 26 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Japanese government approved the second additional appropriation for the fiscal 2016 in a Cabinet meeting. The appropriation for Okinawa-related items was 17.6 billion yen. The government allocated 410 million yen for a “Patrolling Party for Okinawa Community...

Governor Onaga calls policing of protests in Takae “excessive”

Governor Onaga calls policing of protests in Takae “excessive”

August 26, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

Governor Takeshi Onaga held a press conference on August 25 at the Okinawa Prefectural Office. At the conference he pointed out that, “Whether 500 or 800 officers are mobilized, it will certainly be excessive policing,” referring to the ongoing state of tension...

Okinawa Peace Award given to refugee support group engaged in mutual aid

Okinawa Peace Award given to refugee support group engaged in mutual aid

August 26, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On August 25, Governor Takeshi Onaga announced that the eighth Okinawa Peace Award will be given to the Japan Association for Refugees (JAR), a registered NPO based in Tokyo and headed by Eri Ishikawa. The Okinawa Peace Award is presented to individuals and organizations...