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Japan’s Self-Defense Force opens radar station in Yonaguni

Japan’s Self-Defense Force opens radar station in Yonaguni

March 29, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On March 28, the Ministry of Defense opened a new military base and radar station for Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force on Yonaguni Island. About 160 personnel, who will be stationed at the base, arrived and an opening ceremony was held. With China’s maritime advances in mind, the government is taking measures to reinforce defense capabilities on the Nansei Islands. As part of this reinforcement, military personnel will monitor surrounding...

 

Naha City Assembly resolves to protest against alleged rape by US sailor

Naha City Assembly resolves to protest against alleged rape by US sailor

March 17, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

In the regular meeting on March 17, Naha City Assembly unanimously resolved to protest against a recent alleged rape incident, for which a sailor belonging to U.S. Camp Schwab has been arrested. The assembly unanimously passed a written opinion with regard to the...

Fiscal year 2015 furusato taxes to Nago reach 44,000,000 yen opposing Henoko relocation

Fiscal year 2015 furusato taxes to Nago reach 44,000,000 yen opposing Henoko relocation

March 10, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

Year by year, citizens opposing relocation of Futenma and the new base construction at Henoko have been increasing their contributions to Nago City and Okinawa Prefecture through the Furusato Tax Program (a program by which residents can divert part of their residence...

Governor to exercise authority even if defeated in court

Governor to exercise authority even if defeated in court

March 9, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

The recent settlement between the Japanese national government and the Okinawa prefectural government over the nullification of the permit to reclaim land off the coast of Henoko, Nago City was explained in Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga’s recent report to a full...

National government orders Okinawa to reinstate permit, Okinawa to file objection with dispute committee

March 8, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On March 8, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Keiichi Ishii sent Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga an official order to revoke his nullification of the Henoko land reclamation permit. The permit is needed to implement the relocation of U.S. Marine...

Mayor Inamine resolves to continue efforts blocking Henoko relocation

Mayor Inamine resolves to continue efforts blocking Henoko relocation

March 2, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

At a regular meeting of the Nago City Council on March 2, Mayor Susumu Inamine declared his administrative policies for 2016. He said that no matter what happens, he resolves to make continued efforts to block relocation of Futenma Air Station to Henoko, Nago. In...

Protesters vow to pressure Japanese government to give up Henoko relocation

Protesters vow to pressure Japanese government to give up Henoko relocation

March 5, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On the morning of March 5, over 80 people staged a sit-in protest and rally in front of Camp Schwab. Just one day before the rally, the government of Japan and the prefectural government of Okinawa reached a settlement for lawsuits filed over the plan to move U.S....

Prime minister accepts Henoko settlement, will suspend land reclamation work

March 4, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

At 1 p.m. on March 4, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his intention to accept the court’s proposed settlement in the lawsuit his government brought against the Okinawa prefectural government over reclaiming land in Henoko, Nago as part of the relocation of...

Nago Mayor Inamine reflects on his court testimony

Nago Mayor Inamine reflects on his court testimony

March 1, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 29, Nago Mayor Susume Inamine gave witness testimony in the trial between the Japanese government and Okinawa prefectural government over the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. In a press conference held on March 1, Inamine commented,...

All Okinawa Kaigi holds rally to support Okinawa in court battle with Japan

All Okinawa Kaigi holds rally to support Okinawa in court battle with Japan

March 1, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

The fifth hearing in the trial brought by the Japanese government against the Okinawa prefectural government over the construction of a new base in Henoko, Nago as part of the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma was held at the Naha branch of the...

National Park to be extended to the whole of Iriomote to protect rare species

February 24, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Central Environment Council approved an area expansion plan on February 23 for the Iriomote Ishigaki National Park to cover the whole area of Iriomote Island (29,000ha) in Yaeyama. The official announcement of the plan will be made in the related offices...