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Two species of rare butterfly observed in the vicinity of the Northern Training Area

Two species of rare butterfly observed in the vicinity of the Northern Training Area

November 3, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

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...

 

“It looks like reclaimed land” as floating pumice inundates the coast of Motobu

“It looks like reclaimed land” as floating pumice inundates the coast of Motobu

November 4, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

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...

Okinawa Gov. Tamaki turns to Tokyo for support on drifting pumice stone damage

Okinawa Gov. Tamaki turns to Tokyo for support on drifting pumice stone damage

November 2, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

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...

Editorial: It would be hasty to say that the LDP victory in the 3rd district is a sign of sympathy for progressing with new base construction

November 1, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

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,...

Shuri Castle and Utaki goshuin seals gaining popularity—an invitation to pray for peace

Shuri Castle and Utaki goshuin seals gaining popularity—an invitation to pray for peace

October 28, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Ryota Nakamura

 

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...

Governor Tamaki says Okinawa to rescind shortened business hours at the end of October

Governor Tamaki says Okinawa to rescind shortened business hours at the end of October

October 28, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

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...

Mozuku aquaculture interrupted by pumice stones, expected to effect national supply

Mozuku aquaculture interrupted by pumice stones, expected to effect national supply

October 29, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

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...

Tokashiki celebrates two local women turning 97: Their secret to long life? – Farming

Tokashiki celebrates two local women turning 97: Their secret to long life? – Farming

October 25, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Hideaki Yoneda

 

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...

Large amounts of fish are killed after swallowing pumice stones from undersea volcanic eruption, 14 Okinawan fisheries reeling from the damage as Okinawa and Japan coordinate on removal

Large amounts of fish are killed after swallowing pumice stones from undersea volcanic eruption, 14 Okinawan fisheries reeling from the damage as Okinawa and Japan coordinate on removal

October 26, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Chie Tome

 

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...

Facing Serious Coral Damage and Parking Problems, Government Experiments with Limiting Leisure-Use of Okinawa’s Blue Cave

Facing Serious Coral Damage and Parking Problems, Government Experiments with Limiting Leisure-Use of Okinawa’s Blue Cave

October 22, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

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....

Okinawan Miki Nakamasu sets new Guinness World Record with incredible muscle strength, holding himself up in a “human carp flag” for 36 seconds

Okinawan Miki Nakamasu sets new Guinness World Record with incredible muscle strength, holding himself up in a “human carp flag” for 36 seconds

October 20, 2021 Yoshiki Nagahama

 

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...