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Okinawans protest the Japanese government’s forceful land reclamation work, ask “Is this democratic nation?” as 43,000 resolution votes opposing the construction go ignored

Okinawans protest the Japanese government’s forceful land reclamation work, ask “Is this democratic nation?” as 43,000 resolution votes opposing the construction go ignored

February 25, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo Digital Edition

[Henoko Base Problem News Crew]The Japanese government continues to force through new base construction at Henoko, part of the relocation of MCAS Futenma, just one day after a resolution vote was held in Okinawa in which over 43,000 people voted “Oppose” to the construction.

At the gate of Camp Schwab in Henoko, around 60 staged a sit-in in protest. They raised their voices angrily stating, “We will not allow the will of the people...

 

U.S. military conducts second parachute drop training of 2019 despite opposition

U.S. military conducts second parachute drop training of 2019 despite opposition

February 21, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo online edition

Around 5:18 p.m. on February 21 the U.S. military carried out parachute drop training at Kadena Air Base.

This is the second such training this year, following the training on January 23. Kadena Town and Chatan Town received notification...

Over 72 percent of respondents vote “no” to land reclamation in prefectural referendum, more than one-fourth of all registered voters in Okinawa

Over 72 percent of respondents vote “no” to land reclamation in prefectural referendum, more than one-fourth of all registered voters in Okinawa

February 25, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 24, a prefectural referendum was held asking Okinawan voters about their approval or disapproval of the land reclamation work as part of construction of the Futenma Replacement Facility (FRF) taking place on the shore portion of Camp Schwab.

According...

Memorial ceremony held for Koreans mobilized during war, exhumation in May

Memorial ceremony held for Koreans mobilized during war, exhumation in May

February 17, 2019 The Ryukyu Shimpo

Motobu City, Feb. 16—A memorial ceremony was held for Koreans who lost their lives during World War II, ahead of their exhumation from their burial site in Kenken, Motobu City.

In attendance and wishing for the remains to be returned to their families...

Okinawan and South Korean citizens hold peace symposium urging withdrawal of US troops

Okinawan and South Korean citizens hold peace symposium urging withdrawal of US troops

 

February 11, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On February 10 at the Yomitan Village Regional Promotion Center, Kadena Peace Action and other groups held a symposium titled “Popular Conference of Okinawa and South Korea” which addressed peace and military bases in Northest...

Okinawa Prefectural Assembly member travel to Germany and Italy, find major and “unsettling” differences in the nature of U.S. forces stationed in each country

Okinawa Prefectural Assembly member travel to Germany and Italy, find major and “unsettling” differences in the nature of U.S. forces stationed in each country

February 10, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Akihito Yamaguchi

 

Okinawa Prefectural Assembly General Coordination and Policy Planning Committee (Osamu Toguchi, chair) members visited Germany and Italy, who were defeated in World War 2 fighting on the same side as Japan, and met with...

The devil’s mask that protects Wabiai no Sato

The devil’s mask that protects Wabiai no Sato

February 4, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Shouhei Tsukazaki

The Wabiai no Sato in Higashiemae of Ie Village in Okinawa Prefecture works to pass on the history of Ie Island and the footsteps of late peace activist Shoukou Ahagon. Above the gate to the Wabiai no Sato is a devil’s mask, which...

Himeyuri Peace Museum attracts visitors with Takako Miyahira video

Himeyuri Peace Museum attracts visitors with Takako Miyahira video

February 2, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

As part of its 30th anniversary project, the Himeyuri Peace Museum released a promotional video on its website and on YouTube.

The museum’s annual visitation had declined by nearly one-half, from its peak of one million visitors in 1999, to 580,000...

“Romance fraud” targeting women on the rise in and outside Okinawa

“Romance fraud” targeting women on the rise in and outside Okinawa

February 1, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Masaaki Umeda and Ami Chibana

A specific type of scam called “international romance fraud” has been on the rise in and outside of Okinawa. This scam involves perpetrators pretending to be foreign servicemen on social networking services (SNS) and...

Dugong lawsuit plaintiffs submit brief claiming DoD not consulting local citizens violated NHPA

Dugong lawsuit plaintiffs submit brief claiming DoD not consulting local citizens violated NHPA

February 2, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

A group of U.S. and Japanese environmentalists, which is the plaintiff group in the dugong lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and demands a halt to construction in Henoko, Nago City, held a press conference on February 1 at the...

16 Nago citizens sue the state for suspending revocation of the Henoko landfill permit

16 Nago citizens sue the state for suspending revocation of the Henoko landfill permit

January 30, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On January 29, 16 Nago residents living in the vicinity of the landfill area resorted to legal action at the Naha district court to seek cancellation of the state’s decision to suspend revocation of the landfill permit.

Japan’s Minister...