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Impassioned call for repeal of security legislation bridges multiple generations

Impassioned call for repeal of security legislation bridges multiple generations

March 29, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

In the early afternoon on March 29, about 250 participants of a gathering organized by the Okinawa Peace Movement Center called Abolish the War-Fighting Law! Don’t Let the Abe Administration Go Out of Control! raised their voices in opposition to the security legislation executed that same day.They called for repeal of the security legislation, saying that they will not tolerate militarism. Participants were widely varied in age, from those who personally...

 

Law passed to promote collection of war victim remains

March 24, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

A law to promote collecting the remains of war victims was passed in the Lower House plenary session on March 24. The ordinance sees the collection of the remains of victims in the war, including the Battle of Okinawa, as the “responsibility of the nation.”...

Environmental groups say plan for Yambaru National Park conservation area falls short

March 24, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On March 23, Okinawan environmental conservation groups released a statement responding to the Ministry of the Environment’s proposal to designate the northern Yambaru area of Okinawa a national park. The groups urged the Ministry of the Environment to reconsider...

Shiroma honors Okinawan parents through community service

Shiroma honors Okinawan parents through community service

March 21, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Chikako Nago

Dorothy Shiroma Hoe is an 87-year old Okinawan Nisei (second-generation immigrant), born in Kahakuloa, Maui. She is the third daughter of Taro Shiroma from Kaneku, Nishihara City and Kamechia Ogusuku from Uchima, Nishihara City. Her father...

Protesters numbering 2,500 request ban on US military personnel staying at lodging off base

Protesters numbering 2,500 request ban on US military personnel staying at lodging off base

March 22, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On March 21, a prefectural citizens’ rally (organized by peace groups and citizens’ groups) opposing base relocation within Okinawa held an emergency protest in front of the gate to Camp Schwab. This emergency protest was a reaction to the March 13 rape incident...

Takae residents protest against new construction of helipads

Takae residents protest against new construction of helipads

March 18, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On March 17, residents and opponents protesting against the construction of six military helipads in Takae as a condition of the partial return of the U.S military’s Northern Training Area held a meeting at their sit-in protest site in front of the N1 gate in...

Anger spreads in response to alleged rape by US soldier

Anger spreads in response to alleged rape by US soldier

March 16, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

After a U.S. soldier was accused of raping a woman in Naha on March 13, voices of protest arose from many corners, including Okinawan women’s groups and the mayors of cities and towns hosting U.S. bases. Widespread protests were held on March 15. After protesting...

Onaga requests countermeasures to sexual assault allegedly by US military personnel upon receiving apology

Onaga requests countermeasures to sexual assault allegedly by US military personnel upon receiving apology

March 17, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

In light of the recent incident of sexual assault on a Japanese tourist in Okinawa allegedly by a U.S. solider, on the afternoon of March 16, Commanding General of III Marine Expeditionary Force Lawrence Nicholson and U.S. Consul General in Naha Joel Ehrendreich...

Woman of Okinawan descent living in Holland reunites with her relatives for the first time in three decades

Woman of Okinawan descent living in Holland reunites with her relatives for the first time in three decades

March 12, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Hideki Matsudo

On March 11, Cecilia Gerkens, a sixty-two-year-old woman from Singapore living in Holland, reunited with her relatives in Okinawa for the first time in three decades. She visited Okinawa to pay respects at her ancestors’ grave, because...

Chinen wins fifth crown in Japanese Culinary Competition

Chinen wins fifth crown in Japanese Culinary Competition

March 15, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On March 9, the Association for the Advancement of the Japanese Culinary Art hosted its 29th Japanese Culinary Competition in Tokyo. In the Regional Cuisine Division, 39-year-old Tsukasa Chinen received the top honor with the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry...

Henoko protesters decry rape incident: “Who are the police really protecting?”

Henoko protesters decry rape incident: “Who are the police really protecting?”

March 15, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On the morning of March 15, around fifty protesters opposing the construction of a new U.S. military base in Henoko, Nago gathered to demonstrate in front of the gate used by construction vehicles entering U.S. Camp Schwab. The protesters raised their voices in...