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Okinawa to implement policy to limit the number of people who can enter Iriomote Island, which may become a World Natural Heritage Site

Okinawa to implement policy to limit the number of people who can enter Iriomote Island, which may become a World Natural Heritage Site

January 14, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo
Ryota Shimabukuro

Okinawa Prefecture, which is trying to get four of their islands, Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, the northern part of Okinawa’s main island, and Iriomote, will implement a policy that limits the number of tourists who can enter the town of Takemi on Iriomote, as part of a “master plan” to formulate sustainable tourism this year.

The limit will not be a regulation but rather a target number, and the plan is to regularly monitor...

 

New species of “most beautiful” jellyfish found for first time in 114 years in Okinawa

New species of “most beautiful” jellyfish found for first time in 114 years in Okinawa

January 8, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

On January 7, the Kuroshio Biological Research Institute announced it discovered a new jellyfish species among the specimen they collected in Northern Okinawa and named it Olindias deigo (Japanese: Deigo-hanagasa-kurage).

It is the first time in 114 years...

New goby species discovered in deep sea around Okinawa identified by the Okinawa Churashima Foundation and OIST called Yuuna Goby due to characteristic yellow color

New goby species discovered in deep sea around Okinawa identified by the Okinawa Churashima Foundation and OIST called Yuuna Goby due to characteristic yellow color

January 9, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

Motobu and Onna – On January 8th, it was announced that the Okinawa Churashima Foundation and Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) had determined that the goby specimen discovered by the foundation in the deep sea around Onna...

Ryukyu University using drones, satellites and fixed cameras to clean up ocean garbage

Ryukyu University using drones, satellites and fixed cameras to clean up ocean garbage

January 8, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

A collaboration of research teams from organizations that include private businesses, the University of the Ryukyus, and Nagasaki University launched a project to survey ocean garbage coming ashore using satellites, drones, and fixed cameras on January 7.

The...

Hog Cholera raises concern in Okinawa where “pork is culture”

Hog Cholera raises concern in Okinawa where “pork is culture”

January 9, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

Pork dishes are indispensable to Okinawan cuisine—Okinawa soba, san-mai niku (braised pork belly), tebichi (stewed pork feet), soki-jiru (pork spare ribs soup) and mimiga (crunchy pig’s ear), to name a few.

The news of Classical Swine Fever (CSF),...

Ryuichi Sakamoto visits Henoko base construction site, says there is no justification for destroying nature to build base

Ryuichi Sakamoto visits Henoko base construction site, says there is no justification for destroying nature to build base

January 4, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

On the afternoon of January 3, world-renowned musician Ryuichi Sakamoto, 67, visited the sea area where a new military base is being constructed off the coast of Henoko, Nago.

“There is no justification for destroying this beautiful natural environment...

New Year’s Banquet held at Shuri Castle first time after fire

New Year’s Banquet held at Shuri Castle first time after fire

January 1, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

Shuri Castle Park’s annual New Year’s Banquet (Shinshun no Utage), a three-day festivity, held during the first three days of each New Year, opened again this year on park grounds on January 1, in Naha City, Okinawa.

It is the first New Year’s Banquet...

Taiwan donates to Okinawa, optimistic on timber sourcing for Shuri Castle

Taiwan donates to Okinawa, optimistic on timber sourcing for Shuri Castle

December 20, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

On December 19, Fan Chen-Kuo, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative to Japan in Naha, visited the Okinawan prefectural government office to present Governor Denny Tamaki with a donation to rebuild Shuri Castle, which had burned down in a recent fire....

Showing Friendship in Ryusou and Chima Jeogori An Event on Kokusai Street, Okinawa The Tourism Industry Amid Worsening Japanese-Korean Relations

Showing Friendship in Ryusou and Chima Jeogori An Event on Kokusai Street, Okinawa The Tourism Industry Amid Worsening Japanese-Korean Relations

December 16, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

On December 15, an event called “Let’s Show Friendship Between Okinawa and South Korea” was held on Kokusai Street in Naha, Okinawa.

Visitors could take photos with female staff in traditional Okinawan dress, called ryusou, and Korean chima jeogori...

“I understood how both the Uchinanchu and U.S. military felt.” Okinawan musician who grew up down the street from military base shares his story on the 49th anniversary of the Koza Riot

“I understood how both the Uchinanchu and U.S. military felt.” Okinawan musician who grew up down the street from military base shares his story on the 49th anniversary of the Koza Riot

December 20, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Mikako Shimoji

Okinawa – The air was thick with the smell of smoke, and the people were filled with anger.

On December 20, 1970, 49 years ago, in an angry response to a U.S. military member causing a traffic accident as well as the response...

Shurijo Castle Park reopens majority of restricted area after fire

Shurijo Castle Park reopens majority of restricted area after fire

December 12, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

Shurijo Castle Park Management Center announced on December 11 that areas of the park affected by the fire will partially reopen to the public on December 12; namely the Kankaimon, Kyukeimon and Kofukumon gates, the Iri-no Azana (west azana watchtower) and the...