Archive for the Politics Category

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Ginowan City Assembly unanimously resolves to protest against continuing troubles and accidents involving U.S.military aircraft

March 27, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

In the regular meeting held on March 27, the Ginowan City Assembly unanimously passed a resolution and written opinion. They protested against continuing troubles and accidents involving the U.S. military aircraft. An MV-22 Osprey made an emergency landing at Kadena Air Base on March 2. An AH-1W helicopter failed in its landing on the deck of U.S.S. Denver on March 5. The assembly members visited the Okinawa Defense Bureau for protesting on the same day.

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Japan’s largest legal experts group releases statement about revising SOFA

March 13, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On March 12, the Japan Federation of Bar Associations held a press conference in Tokyo. The association released a statement about the Japan-U.S. Status-of-Forces Agreement (SOFA). It is the first time the association has released a statement about revising the...

Defense Minister estimates total cost of Henoko relocation at more than 350 billion yen

March 14, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

At the Upper House Foreign Affairs Defense Committee meeting on March 13, Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera stated that the total cost of moving U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station to Henoko, Nago, would be at least 350 billion yen. It is the first time that the...

U.S. Congressional report warns against heavy-handed action by Tokyo or Washington on the Henoko landfill

February 27, 2014 Ryota Shimabukuro reports from Washington D.C.

The U.S. Congressional Research Service released a report entitled “Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress” on February 20. It praised Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima’s approval of the Henoko landfill because...

Naha Mayor claims Okinawan economy doesn’t depend on US bases

Naha Mayor claims Okinawan economy doesn’t depend on US bases

February 19, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

Naha Mayor Takeshi Onaga announced his administrative policy for the new fiscal year at a regular meeting of the City Council held on February 18.

Onaga talked about promoting the use of the land returned by the U.S. military. He said, “The Japanese...

English translation of environmental assessment report submitted to Marine Corps lacks information on dugongs

English translation of environmental assessment report submitted to Marine Corps lacks information on dugongs

February 9, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

Before February 8, the Okinawa Defense Bureau provided the U.S. Marine Corps with the application documents for the Henoko landfill to prepare for moving Futenma Air Station and the environmental impact assessment report. The bureau gave the Marine Corps the full...

Nago Mayor to visit U.S. to voice opposition to Henoko relocation plan

Nago Mayor to visit U.S. to voice opposition to Henoko relocation plan

February 14, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

In Tokyo on February 13, Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine held a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan for the first time. He announced to visit the United States as early as April. Reelected in the mayoral election, Inamine intends to...

Nago Mayor asks US Ambassador Kennedy to cancel relocation of Futenma base to Henoko

Nago Mayor asks US Ambassador Kennedy to cancel relocation of Futenma base to Henoko

February 13, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

US Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy held a meeting with Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine at a hotel in Naha in the afternoon of February 12. Inamine asked the ambassador to abandon the plan of moving the Futenma base to Henoko, Nago, saying, “I do not want to...

A natural treasure trove Oura Bay: Building new U.S. base will destroy the environment, nature and life

Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakima has approved land reclamation work in the Henoko district of Nago in preparation for moving U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The Japanese and U.S. government are promoting the relocation plan. However, many Okinawan people continue to oppose the plan to reclaim...

Messages from intellectuals overseas to Okinawan people

Messages from intellectuals overseas to Okinawan people

On February 7, 29 internationally prominent intellectuals released a statement that opposes moving U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to the Henoko district in Nago and seeks the prompt closure and return of the base. The Ryukyu Shimpo introduces their messages to the readers.

Stand...

Nago Council adopts statement protesting against Governor’s approval of Henoko landfill

Nago Council adopts statement protesting against Governor's approval of Henoko landfill

February 4, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Nago City Council held an extraordinary session on February 3. It adopted a statement protesting against Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaime approval of the Henoko landfill and seeking the withdrawal of this approval. The city council also adopted a statement...