In Kunigami Village and Higashi Village, in and around the Northern Training Area (NTA), near-threatened species of rare butterflies Ypthima riukiuana and Pithecops corvus ryukyuensis (a type of forest Quaker) spiritedly flutter about. According to the butterfly researcher Akino Miyagi, many of these two varieties of butterfly appear from around September to November. These butterflies often also appear in front of the main gate to the NTA.
In early October, several Ypthima riukiuana butterflies were observed flying around in the woods in Aha, Kunigami Village. This species of butterfl
An Ypthima riukiuana butterfly stopping on a Bidens pilosa radiata flower on October 1 in Aha, Kunigami Village
y is only observed inhabiting the north-central region of Okinawa Island and the Kerama Islands, and is endemic to these regions. In Takae, Higashi Village, Pithecops corvus ryukyuensis butterflies have been observed inhabiting Iriomote Island, and have been seen stopping on flowers such as those of Sphagneticola trilobata plants.
When seeking out these butterflies, Miyagi has heard the calls of Ryukyu robins (Larvivora komadori namiyei) from deep in the forest, and has encountered the Ryukyu green snake (Cycophiops semicarinatus). Meanwhile, when looking off next to the gravel path, Miyagi has seen garbage that was tossed out by American soldiers and Japanese people. She worries that “Although there are many precious butterflies in the vicinity of the training area, they are being threatened by human hands.”
Motobu – Along the coast in Shinzato, Motobu, as of November 3 the buildup of floating pumice has become so severe that you can no longer see the original coastline. Pumice could be seen floating ashore on the beach as early as October 17. Since then, the stones have inundated the beaches and fishing ports, turning the coastline completely gray.
According to local residents, the pumice floated in around October 29, but a large amount of it continued to be pushed toward the coast through November 3. At the entrance to Shinzato fishing harbor, and oil fence was installed to protect against the waves of pumice, but it seems like now even the fence may not be enough to stop the stones.
Iwasaki Maeda, 52, who lives nearby, was surprised, saying, “it looks like reclaimed land.” The area around the beach is also a breeding ground for sea turtles. Maeda said, “You can also see some morays on top of the pumice. I am worried about the effects this will have on the sea creatures.”
On November 2, Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki visited the Minister of Okinawa Affairs Kosaburo Nishime and other cabinet members in Tokyo to request systematic and financial support in restoring the local beaches and ports damaged by pumice drifting from the Ogasawara Islands after an underwater volcanic eruption.
Governor Tamaki explained that along with the damage to seaports and fishing ports caused by the drifting pumice stones, “we are concerned [the drifting pumice stones] will disrupt the flow of people and goods, affecting the residents of the outer islands.” Tamaki added that in addition to environmental degradation such as marine life disturbance, there have been impacts on tourism—the core industry of the prefecture—as tourists have canceled their trips. Minister Nishime commented, “We will continue to monitor the situation closely, including any damage to the fishing industry and impacts on tourism.”
Before meeting with Minister Nishime, Governor Tamaki also met with Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi and asked for his support in case the situation became difficult for the prefecture to resolve. In the afternoon of the same day, Tamaki made a similar request to Tetsuo Saito, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, and others.
Public opinion surrounding the new base construction in Henoko, Nago – part of the relocation of MCAS Futenma – is wavering. The winning candidates in the 1st and 2nd Okinawa districts for the lower house are from the “All Okinawa” party, who oppose the base construction, while the winners in the 3rd and 4th districts are Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) candidates who support the construction.
However, it would be hasty to say that the LDP victory in the 3rd district is a sign of sympathy for progressing with base construction. Rather, more urgent issues such as coronavirus and economic measures took precedent in this year’s lower house election, and the new base construction issue did not rise to the main battleground issue.
For next year’s Nago mayoral election, upper house election, and gubernatorial election, the LDP is looking to ride the momentum of their tail winds, while All Okinawa is compelled to review their organization.
In the four years since the previous lower house election, a new aspect of the base construction issue has arisen. In the 2018 gubernatorial election, Denny Tamaki, an opponent of base construction, was elected. Soft ground was found under the water being filled for the base, and the Japanese government decided to start land filling in December of 2018, regardless of a goal to complete construction. In 2019, a referendum was held regarding the land filling in Henoko, which resulted in a 72% vote in opposition.
In response to the Japanese government unyielding stance, which entirely ignored the will of the people, the judiciary delivered a harsh opinion. In a lawsuit where the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) demanded that an order approving the relocation of coral by the prefectural government be overturned as illegal, the Supreme Court of Japan voted 2 to 3 in favor of Okinawa. One of the justices said in their opinion, “They focused only on the levee protection construction project,” in their argument, and that they had “fallen into the trap of not seeing the forest for the trees.”
Furthermore, it became clear that there was a plan to use soil from the south of Okinawa, where part of the Battle of Okinawa took place, for land filling at Henoko. The issue of using soil that contains human remains from the battle is a humanitarian issue, and asks people to confront the Battle of Okinawa. The government must listen to the voices of the Okinawan people.
The lower house election is an important election in selecting the governing administration. The current Kishida administration has almost no achievements since its inauguration, the focal point became an evaluation of the nearly nine-year-long “strongman” Abe-Suga administration. Starting with the coronavirus policies, issues included the Kake Gakuen scandal, the cherry blossom social gathering scandal, the money politics scandal, and the veto of the appointments of six people to the Science Council of Japan.
The LDP was able to win a safe majority on their own. This definitely secures a safe spot for the ruling coalition of the LPD and Komeito. The Japan Innovation Party is quickly making progress as the third party, and with 2/3 of the seats being held by LDP, Komeito, Japan Innovation, and independents who support the ruling party, there is overwhelming support for a potential revision of the constitution. The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan is falling behind.
Problems for Japan are piling up with issues such as eliminating inequity, climate change, declining population, restoring public finance health, foreign diplomacy and security, and constitutional issues. The “strongman” administration thinks little of the role of the Diet. If the Diet loses its function, it will only invite more of the already existing “yes-man” politics. The elected candidates should treat the administration as just one of the top functions of the government, and take to heart their important responsibility.
Visitors now have another way of enjoying the ancient yet new Shuri Castle. The Shuri Castle area houses several Utaki and other places of worship that recently debuted goshuin seals (a keepsake seal traditionally issued at shrines as proof of pilgrimage) which are slowly gaining popularity. These goshuin seals were adopted to educate visitors on the religious significance of the Ryukyu-Dynasty sites while adding new tourism content for the pandemic times.
Okinogu shrine, one of the eight Ryukyu shrines, and OTS MICE MANAGEMENT (OMM), an affiliate company of Okinawa Tourist Service Inc., jointly produced the goshuin seals.
Seven places of worship in Shuri are now issuing goshuin seals: (1) Enkaku-ji, (2) Bezai-tendo, (3) Sonohyan-Utaki, (4) Ryuhi, (5) Suimui-kan, (6) Kyo no Uchi, and (7) Akata-ujou no Utaki. The goshuin seals include the Okinogu Shrine stamp with a handwritten inscription of the site name, accompanied by artist Seiko Shinjo’s artwork and a didactic poem. The goshuin seals may be purchased at the Suimui-kan shop for 700 yen. A port
On October 26, Ichiro Uechi, chief priest of Okinogu Shrine in Naha City, poses with the goshuin seal of Shuri Castle’s Kyo no Uchi.
ion of the proceeds will be donated to the nonprofit Shuri Machizukuri Kenkyukai (Shuri Town Development Research Association), to give back to the local community.
Ichiro Uechi, the chief priest of the Okinogu Shrine, commented, “The religious aspect of Shuri Cas
tle is often overlooked, but we have always prayed for peace upon Ryukyu. We hope the goshuin seals will help people embark on a journey of prayer and pilgrimage.” Issuance of the goshuin was inspired by the Shuri Dynasty Road pilgrimage (one of the karate pilgrimages organized by the Okinogu Shrine, which is dedicated to the karate gods). Organizers hope to add purpose and appeal to the Shuri Castle experience; OMM President Kunihiro Tamaki said, “I hope residents and tourists alike will get to learn the various facets of Okinawa and Shuri Castle.”
March 31 marked two years since the Shuri Castle fire. Placing focus on “pilgrimage” as the starting point of its journey, the Shuri Castle initiative aims to learn from history and educate on the ancient yet new Shuri Castle.
Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki held a press conference on the afternoon of October 28 at the Prefectural Office in Naha City. He announced plans to rescind, at the end of October as scheduled, the prefecture-specific measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection, such as a request for restaurants to shorten business hours.
Governor Tamaki is establishing a period from November 1 to January, after these measures have been cancelled, as a period for coexistence between rebound prevention and socio-economic activities. He is encouraging prefectural citizens to dine together in groups of four or less for under two hours at a time, to go out with family, engage in everyday activities with friends, and such behavior.
The request for shortened business hours as part of novel coronavirus countermeasures was rescinded in Tokyo Prefecture and elsewhere on October 25, leaving Okinawa as the only prefecture in the country still observing these shortened business hours.
Governor Tamaki also explained the aims of evaluation criteria pertaining to infection control measures and the like. He mentioned that in the most recent week new cases exceeded 25 people out of 100,000 people, and also explained that infection control measures will be strengthened if there is any indication of a sudden boom in the number of cases. Governor Tamaki announced the formation of a program for maintaining a system for providing health and medical care. The program will maintain at most 972 beds throughout November.
At Governor Tamaki’s press conference on October 28, he said, “the prefecture-specific countermeasures (such as the request for shortened business hours) will continue throughout October. I would like the infection countermeasures to continue as they have up to this point, despite the polling for the House of Representatives election and Halloween.”
Uruma; Nanjo – The large amounts of pumice stone floating in the waters around Okinawa are continuing to cause damage throughout the prefecture. It has caused a hindrance to the prefecture’s aquaculture of mozuku, an edible seaweed, and it was learned on October 28 that it has caused the death of 500 farm-raised cobia fish in Ikemi Fish Harbor. The Okinawa Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced the same day that work to remove the influx of pumice stone from Hentona Harbor in Kunigami would commence on October 29. In most years for Uruma mozuku aquaculture, mating us usually wrapping up at the end of October, and workers are beginning to lay nets in the water, however since the boats cannot leave the harbor the work has been delayed. It is an ominous indicator for the targeted harvest in February. 99% of Japan’s mozuku is produced in Okinawa, so there is a fear that the effects of this damage will spread throughout the country.
The largest producer of mozuku is in Katsuren, Uruma. Around 40% of the mozuku produced in Okinawa happens there. Many fishermen could be seen on October 28 at the tightly packed mozuku tanks at Hama Fishing Harbor. “Up until now, when we went out into the ocean there was no one here,” said Katsuren Fishing Cooperative Shore Division head Tadahito Uemura, letting out a sigh.
Already 11 tons of pumice has been removed, and removal continued on the 27th, but on the morning of the 28th more stones could be seen floating in the harbor. Previously, after setting the nets workers would check on the mozuku each day to watch its growth. However, since they cannot leave the port Uemura lamented, “If this situation continues like this, we will not be able to ship [the harvest].”
There is also trouble at Okinawa’s second-largest mozuku producing area in Nanjo. A fisherman, 44, at Shikiya Harbor makes his way to the aquaculture area while trying to avoid the pumice floating in the water. The placing of the nets after mating is usually done with the engines kept running. However, since the pumice gets into the filter used to keep the engine from overheating, diving has been suspended, and they need to remove the pumice every 10 minutes. “We are unable to work calmly,” said the fisherman, unable to hide his exhaustion. Another fisherman commented, “If we can’t harvest the mozuku, we can’t make a living,” and asked for assistance from the Japanese and Okinawan governments.
According to the Okianwa Mozuku Aquaculture Promotion Committee, 2021 production of mozuku was 19,278 tons. The Katsuren Cooperative produced the most at 8,299 tons, with the Chinen Cooperative coming next at 3,148 tons.
Tokashiki – October 12 (September 7 on the Lunar Calendar) was Kajimaya (a celebration of elders turning 97 years old by the traditional age system). In Tokashiki, there was a Kajimaya parade on October 14 celebrating the long life of two elders of the community, Haru Arakaki and Toshi Komine.
Arakaki and Komine wore the traditional Kajimaya garb and joined the parade riding in two vans with their families. Locals lined the parade route, holding pinwheels and cheering their longevity. The two elders smiled and waved to the celebrating crowd. After the parade, there was a ceremony at the town hall building where they received a gift of money. Mayor Hidekatsu Zamami presented the money to Arakaki and Komine, saying “You are the pride of our town. May you feel younger and younger and be healthy.” The two also received a commemorative gift from Kazunori Arakaki, the chair of the Tokashiki Council of Social Welfare.
In a normal year, the town would also hold a big party at the town civic center. However, the party was canceled again this year due to the coronavirus.
Arakaki and Komine were both born in Tokashiki in 1925 and grew up in the town. Arakaki had seven children with her late husband Koki, and has 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She lives in the family’s ancestral home with her eldest son Kazunori and his wife. She says the secret to her long life is “farming and enjoying island life.”
Komine is from a long-lived family. Her brother Yasuo Kadomoto also celebrated Kajimaya and lived to be 100 years old. Komine had three children with her late husband Zenjiro, and has six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. She lives by herself in her family’s ancestral home. She is still an active farmer and goes daily to the field, about one kilometer from her home. When asked about the secret of her long life, she showed off the wax gourds and dragon fruits she harvested this summer, and answered: “enjoying growing fruits and vegetables.”
Due to an undersea volcanic eruption in the waters near the Ogasawara Islands creating a large amount of pumice stone, which is washing up on the beaches and in the harbors in Okinawa, it was learned by October 25 that 14 of the 37 fishing cooperatives in Okinawa have suffered damage from the stones washing ashore, according to the Okinawa Fishery Cooperative Association (JF Okinawa). Among these, Hentona Harbor in Kunigami reported that over 150 Indian Mackerel they had been raising in the harbor had died from swallowing the stones. The beaches all over the region are seeing the stones wash ashore and floating in the water, marring the scenery and effecting the marine leisure tourism industry as reservations are being cancelled.
According to a representative from JF Okinawa, only the Kunigani Fishery Cooperative is suffering serious damage at this time, but with a change in the direction of the wind as well as the tides, there is a possibility the area of the damage could spread.
Okinawa Prefecture is continuing their survey of pumice stone washing ashore, and are investigating methods for removing the stones. The investigators indicated that if they determine that the damage has had a substantial effect on the fishing industry, they can enact a response based on Japan’s National Government Defrayment Act for Reconstruction of Disaster-Stricken Public Facilities. “We will explain the situation at Hentona Harbor to the Japanese Fishery Agency, and coordinate with them.”
The pumice stones washing ashore were first confirmed at the end of September through the start of October on Minami-Daito Island, whereafter the stones rode the current towards Okinawa’s main island and surrounding area. At first the stones were mostly concentrated on the eastern coast of Okinawa’s main island, however over time they started to appear on the western coast as well, and were soon confirmed all over the Okinawan archipelago. It has also hindered fishing boats operations such as fears that the stones will cause engine trouble.
JF Okinawa confirmed the extent of the damage at each fishery cooperative from October 20-24, and pumice stones were confirmed in 14 of the fisheries’ jurisdictions: Kunigami, Nakijin, Motobu, Ih
Pumice stones floating on the surface of the water in Hentona Harbor, where Indian mackerel are raised (photograph provided by the Kunigami Fishery Cooperative)
eya, Ie, Onna, Katsuren, Yonashiro, Sashiki-Nakagusuku, Chinen, Minatogawa, Itoman, Kume Island, and Tonaki.
According to Kunigami Fishery secretary Takashi Higa, around 20 fishing boats regularly travel in and out of Hentona Harbor, but currently the harbor is clogged with floating pumice, and fishing has been suspended since October 18. Higa indicated, “This is the prime season for Mahi-mahi, but currently none are being caught. The estimated losses from this are around 1.5 million yen per day.” They have encouraged the fishery cooperative members to voluntarily restrain themselves from operating their fishing boats until they’ve established a forecast for the situation.
Katsuo Oshiro, a member of the Katsuren Fishery Cooperative in Uruma, a major producer of mozuku, voiced his concern, saying, “In preparation for the harvest in March, we start work on laying out the aquaculture nets in November. If there are large amounts of pumice on the surface of the water, there is a chance the mozuku will not be able to get enough nutrients.”
On October 21, the Okinawa General Bureau announced the start of an experimental project limiting use of the area around Cape Maeda in Onna for marine leisure purposes. The area is known to tourists inside and outside of Japan for excellent diving. For approximately one month, from November 8 through December 6, advance notice will be required before entering the water. There will also be limits on how long visitors can be there, and the number of visitors. With a sudden surge in tourists visiting Cape Maeda, coral reefs are being damaged and illegal parking is becoming a problem in the area. The General Bureau will use the project to consider future actions.
According to a representative of the General Bureau, this is the first time that limits have been placed on the use of a section of the ocean in Okinawa, and such steps are rare throughout Japan. Cape Maeda is a popular spot for diving and snorkeling, and is home to the so-called “Blue Cave.”
Overtourism, when too many tourists negatively impact the local environment and the lives of residents, is becoming a problem globally, and around Cape Maeda, has already resulted in problems such as damage to the marine ecosystem and traffic jams on roads that locals need for daily life. The General Bureau decided to carry out the experimental project in hopes of promoting marine tourism that is sustainable and brings high added value.
The experimental policy will affect the stretch of ocean accessible from Maeda and Yamada in Onna, an area that includes the Blue Cave. During the trial period, marine leisure businesses and members of the general public hoping to enter the water in this area will be required to submit a notification to the facilities management company. In order to improve congestion in the water and in public parking lots at the cape, each party will be limited to 100 minutes, and no more than 200 individuals will be allowed at one time.
In addition, parts of the area with coral reefs especially susceptible to damage will be off limits. These areas will later be compared with neighboring areas to see what impact such limits have in terms of environmental conservation.
Issues that emerge during the one-month experimental project will be organized and brought to a joint council made up of local government representatives and related businesses, who will discuss future solutions.
At the General Bureau regular press conference held in Naha on October 21, Director-General of Transportation Shigeru Yoneyama explained “We are asking visitors for their cooperation as we proceed with this experimental project. We hope to first demonstrate the value of the approach, and then determine what needs to be improved in practice.”
Kitanakagusuku – Gripping a metal pole with both hands and suspending his body horizontally like a “human carp flag,” Miki Nakamasu, 30, from Kitanakagusuku set a new Guinness World Record by holding the position for 36 seconds long. Nakamasu was delighted and a bit surprised, commenting, “I can’t believe I was really able to do it.”
The record-breaking attempt was performed on May 15 at Araha Park in Chatan, and was officially recognized as a Guinness World Record on August 17.
Nakamasu is the first person to set this particular record. Since there was no previous record to break, the requirement for the new world record was set at over 30 seconds.
Nakamasu used things like park exercise equipment for body-weight training and improving his health, and is a member of “Street Workout Okinawa.” Videos of training exercises are uploaded to social networking sites, and people who saw his video of the human carp flag encouraged him to go for the world record.
He also recorded himself on the day he broke the record.
Nakamasu says, “I set the goal after meeting with some of my friends. I think setting the Guinness World Record will help raise awareness for Street Workout.” Norihide Nakasone, 35, head of Street Workout Okinawa, said, “All of the members are happy as if it was their own record. Once the coronavirus has passed, we are going to get together to celebrate at Araha Park.”
Webcam(Kokusai Street)
