Top News
October 6, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
On October 5, Yoshimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd. announced the details regarding the Laugh & Peace Entertainment School Okinawa that is to open next April in Matsuo, Naha City in Okinawa Prefecture.
Yoshimoto Kogyo thereby began recruiting new students.
On the same day, comedian group Garage Sale and comedian Jimmy Onishi held a press conference at the Tokyo headquarters.
Regarding the company, they said, “They accept anyone and we want to have fun while developing skills that will provide world-wide entertainment.”
The school is currently being constructed on the old Matsuo Fire Station site.
The school was pre-approved in September by the Okinawa Prefectural Government.
There will be a Creative Department where students can learn about manga, CG, and anime production.
The Performing Arts Department will develop dancers and actors/actresses who will be performing on stage, along with those who will remain backstage, such as directors and producers.
The school will offer a two-year program with an 80-student limit.
Besides famous magazine editors and dancers, historian and Emeritus Professor Kurayoshi Takara from the University of the Ryukyus and Professor Yoshiro Shimoji from the Department of Tourism Sciences also from the same university will be teaching at the school.
Utilizing Yoshimoto Kogyo’s network and offering practical activities under the guidance of professionals in the field, students will also be able to learn about Okinawa’s history and culture.
In turn, this will lead to industrial development in the form of tourism and developing new products.
The school will also come up with local events coordinated with the 41 municipalities within Okinawa.
During the press conference, incorporated educational institution Laugh & Peace Headmaster Nobuhiro Mizutani said, “Okinawa is full of traditional culture and is in the middle of Asia, making it a wonderful location for developing skills.
Entertainment is the best education. I want to offer an education that isn’t available in normal schools or curriculum.”
To apply, all one needs to do is “write his or her name” and there will not be a screening process.
Tuition will be about one-million yen a year.
Students will be able to use financial support systems from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) and Yoshimoto Kogyo itself is thinking of coming up with their own financial program.
There will be information sessions in Naha City on October 14 and 21, Ishigaki and Miyakojima Cities, along with Kumejima Town on October 15.
For more information, call the school’s admission office at 0120 (787) 847.
(English translation by T&CT and Chelsea Ashimine)
Go to Japanese
October 2, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
On October 1, the last day of the Shurijo Castle Festival, a selection contest for this year’s role of king and queen was held at a special stage in the Una forecourt of Shurijo Castle.
Twenty-three-year-old Ryuto Tsuha was elected as the new king and eighteen-year-old Ichika Higa as the new queen.
There were 21 applications for the king and 40 for the queen.
The new king and queen will work for one year, starting with the Shurijo Castle Festival in November, when the marching of Sapposhi or envoy of the Chinese emperor will be restaged.
The new king Tsuha, who was wearing a colorful crown, said, “It is heavy.”
“I feel the weight of the thoughts of the predecessors.
” Higa, wrapped in a modest costume, said, “I want to spread the traditional culture to many people in Okinawa, from generation to generation.”
(English translation by T&CT and Megumi Chibana)
Go to Japanese
September 28, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
“Grandma Fumiko is everyone’s sun, smile, and courage.
” On September 27 in a tent in front of U.S. military Camp Schwab in Henoko, Nago City of Okinawa Prefecture, Fumiko Shimabukuro celebrated her tokachi, or 88th birthday. She had been participating in the multi-day sit-in protest.
The tent was bustling with about 400 citizens who came to celebrate.
“I’m the happiest person in the world. It’s a celebration like no other,” she said. Shimabukuro exchanged handshakes with many people and would occasionally wipe away her tears.
Decorating began early in the morning.
Sake and food from in and out of Okinawa were lined up and the citizens danced to their hearts’ content as they celebrated Shimabukuro’s longevity.
Near Shimabukuro sat her older sister, Nobuko, age 91, who came from Kume Island.
“This is a wonderful day.
How happy we are,” she said. She kept glancing at her younger sister Fumiko.
When Shimabukuro took the microphone at the very end to say a couple words, it was followed by cheers and the loudest round of applause of the entire day.
Shimabukuro said, “We will keep trying until the base is gone.
My kajimaayaa (97th birthday) cannot be celebrated here. Everyone, please lend us your strength until the base is gone.
We will keep pushing.”
(English translation by T&CT and Chelsea Ashimine)
Go to Japanese
September 28, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
On September 23 and 24, the Ryukyu Shimpo conducted a public opinion poll among residents of Okinawa 18-years-old and above.
The poll was in relation to the deployment of MV-22 Osprey vertical takeoff and landing aircraft at Futenma Air Station, which have been deployed there for five years as of October 1.
Out of the poll respondents, 68.7 percent answered that Osprey deployment on Okinawa “should cease,” while 11.3 percent thought that Osprey “deployment is necessary.
” As for the safety of these aircraft, 72.7 percent of respondents said, “I think they are dangerous.”
When respondents were asked about the Japanese government’s handling of the August Osprey crash off the coast of Australia, wherein the government requested that flying these aircraft be refrained from for a short period but accepted flight resumption soon after, 80 percent stated that they “do not approve” of it.
This poll has once again thrown into relief the anxieties and concerns that many Okinawans have been bearing over the course of these five years of MV-22 Osprey deployment.
These poll results demonstrate Okinawans’ position against relocation of Futenma Air Station within Okinawa, with 80 percent in opposition.
Regarding placement of Futenma relocation, 34.8 percent said it should be “outside of Japan,” 24.3 percent responded “it should be removed and not relocated,” 21.1 percent thought it should be moved “outside of Okinawa,” and 14 percent replied that Futenma “should be relocated to Henoko.”
The three answers that oppose relocation within Okinawa (outside Japan, remove not relocate, and outside Okinawa) combined accounts for 80.2 percent of the respondents.
That is an increase of 6 percentage points since a related public opinion poll conducted in May.
In April, the Japanese government took up embankment work in construction of the replacement facility in Henoko, without first getting reef crushing approval from Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga.
The majority of poll respondents, 54.9 percent, said they “support” the Okinawa prefectural government bringing a lawsuit against the Japanese government over reef crushing.
Governor Onaga has said he will “use every possible means” to halt construction of the new Henoko base.
He disclosed his plan to invalidate former governor Hirokazu Nakaima’s land reclamation approval through revoking that approval.
There is increasing interest in the matter of revocation, the timing of which Onaga has yet to specify.
Some poll respondents said he “should immediately revoke it” at 42.8 percent, while 33.3 percent said he “should further build his case, then revoke it.”
Method of Conducting the Public Opinion Poll
The poll was conducted on September 23 and 24.
Respondents were Okinawa residents 18-years-old and above.
It was conducting with random digit dialing (RDD), a method by which a computer generates phone numbers randomly and calls those numbers.
There were 1,019 households called, and poll responses were received from 519 people.
(English translation by T&CT and Erin Jones)
Go to Japanese
September 29, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
Regarding the discovery of an endangered species of coral in the sea area that is set to be turned into reclaimed land for the planned construction of a new military base in Henoko, Nago as part of the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma (Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture), on September 28, an employee of the Ministry of Defense’s Okinawa Defense Bureau visited the Okinawa Prefectural Office to begin preliminary discussions of a special coral harvesting permission request which the Bureau must obtain in order to proceed with construction.
The Defense Bureau has not announced when it will submit the request. The prefectural government will consult with environmental and legal experts to decide on a response.
Heads of relevant departments reported on the situation to Governor Takeshi Onaga at 5 p.m. at his office. Apart from the procedure to request coral harvesting permission, the Defense Bureau plans to visit the governor’s office on September 29 to provide an explanation regarding their “subsequent survey report” relating to their initial environmental impact assessment.
The Defense Bureau explained the content of the Environmental Monitoring Committee meeting held on September 27.
The Bureau did not indicate when it will apply for coral harvesting permission, stating only, “we intend to engage in preliminary discussions with the prefectural government and apply promptly as soon as the necessary paperwork is in order.”
The standard processing period between when the request is filed and permission is granted is 45 days, and in cases where decision-making is difficult, this period can exceed 45 days.
A representative of the prefectural government’s Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Fisheries Division, which is in charge of reviewing the harvesting request, stated, “we will demand sufficient explanation and conduct an impartial review based on rules and regulations.”
In a survey by the Defense Bureau, a combined total of fourteen colonies of two types of coral on the Ministry of the Environment’s “red list,” porites okinawenses (type 2 endangered) and stylaraea punctata (quasi-endangered), were discovered in the sea area to be reclaimed.
Of these, thirteen colonies are dead or lost, and only one colony survives today.
According to the prefectural government’s Department of Civil Engineering and Construction, in the environmental assessment, coral replantation is listed as a condition upon which the new base construction work is predicated.
(English translation by T&CT and Sandi Aritza)
Go to Japanese
September 21, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
Forty-year old Okinawan singer, Namie Amuro, posted a comment on her official website in which she states she will retire from her career on September 16th next year.
Since her debut in 1992, she has been a prolific artist, producing a number of hit songs and actively performing in Okinawa, Japan, and in Asia.
She performed “NEVER END,” the official theme song for the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit in 2000 and received the award of honorary citizen from Naha City.
After the news of her retirement was revealed there have been numerous comments from fans from Okinawa, Japan and abroad about how they will miss her.
Amuro made her debut as a member of idol group “Super Monkeys” in 1992.
She produced hundreds of hits such as “CAN YOU CELEBRATE?” after she became a solo performer.
She also became the youngest performer to receive Japan Record Award with her song “Don’t Wanna Cry” in 1996.
Amuro played a role as a fashion leader with many women called “Amurar” following her style.
During a 25-year anniversary concert held in Okinawa on September 16 and 17, 52000 people came to see the performance, which is the largest audience for a solo music concerts ever to gather in the prefecture.
Amuro selected 27 songs to perform, including her very first song from the Super Monkey, “Mr. U.S.A.”, first performed 22 years ago.
She also performed “Never End” for the first time in the last 11 years.
Although there was no obvious sign that Amuro would be retiring, it was rare for the performer who does not usually talk during her stageshows to cheer her audience, screaming “Okinawa! Yell until the end!.
” She also made a comment as she was leaving the stage, saying “thank you for coming today.
Come back again.”
Amuro said in an interview with the Ryukyu Shimpo in September, “I have been able to perform for the past 25 years thanks to many people’s support.
It would be great to make new memories with fans and staff during the 25th anniversary year.”
It was her 40th birthday when she announced the news on September 20.
Amuro has left the following comment on her official website; “I plan to make the last year of my music career meaningful by focusing my full attention on creating a final album and performing at concerts.”
(English translation by T&CT and Sayaka Sakuma)
Go to Japanese
October 3, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
An endangered type of coral has been discovered at the ocean construction site of the replacement facility for Futenma Air Station in Henoko, Nago City.
On October 2 Governor of Okinawa Takeshi Onaga provided the Okinawa Defense Bureau (ODB) with a letter of administrative guidance inviting discussion between the ODB and the Okinawa Prefectural Government (OPG) about halting construction and taking measures to preserve this type of coral, despite the “imprudent” lack of a report on this discovery to the OPG.
Onaga took this opportunity to ask that the ODB promptly comply with the OPG’s request to be allowed U.S. base entrance to survey the situation.
In addition, Onaga demanded that the ODB engage in consultations on K9 embankment work, which were supposed to take place prior to construction.
However, Onaga’s administrative guidance is not legally binding.
Recently, the idea of using maritime transport for K9 embankment work was introduced as a means to reduce the environmental burden on land of hauling construction materials.
At a press conference also on October 2, Onaga criticized the ODB’s approach as “imprudent, and moreover dishonest.
” He said: “Those with the authority to ensure the efficacy of environmental conservation measures cannot simply stand by.
The Okinawa Defense Bureau’s approach is deeply insufficient in that it lacks perspective on environmental conservation, and prioritizes progress on construction work.”
Regarding the ODB’s plan to apply for special approval to harvest the endangered coral and transplant it elsewhere, Onaga said that he “intends to handle this matter strictly and appropriately.
” According to the OPG, it has never denied approval for harvesting.
In response to a question asking if the endangered coral or the potential change to the method of K9 embankment work will affect Onaga’s idea to revoke land reclamation approval, Onaga simply said that he is dealing with each matter separately.
Onaga explained why he submitted his administrative guidance within a week of the announcement that endangered coral was discovered at the construction site: “For reliable enforcement of environmental conservation measures, I thought it best to act quickly.”
(English translation by T&CT and Erin Jones)
Go to Japanese
October 3, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
Takahiro Miyagi reporting from Barcelona
Catalonia, the autonomous region located in northeastern Spain, voted for independence in a referendum held on October 1.
90% of voters voted in favor of becoming an independent state.
Voter turnout was held to just over 40% of eligible voters, as Spain’s central judicial authorities resorted to forceful tactics such as blockading polling centers and forcibly removing voters in an attempt to suppress the vote.
Carles Puigdemont, Catalan President of the Generaliat, delivered a victory speech, stating, “Catalonia has won the right to independence.
” In a few days, the Parliament of Catalonia will convene for the purpose of issuing a declaration of independence from Spain.
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who leads the Spanish central government that has declared the referendum “illegal,” commented that “No [legal] referendum has been held in Catalonia today.”
Over 844 people received medical treatment after clashing with police who tried to prevent the vote from taking place, and 92 people among those were confirmed to have sustained serious injury.
The referendum consisted of a single question: “Do you want Catalonia to become an independent state in the form of a republic,” to which voters could answer “Yes” or “No.” According to the Catalan government, 2.2 million of Catalonia’s roughly 5.3 million eligible voters, approximately 40%, cast their vote.
90% of voters, roughly 2 million people, voted for independence, with the remaining 170,000 voting against. Among the 2,300 polling stations provided for the referendum, the central government forcibly prevented voting at around 400 stations.
Catalan President Puigdemont indicated his intention to continue moving forward towards independence.
With regards to those injured on the day of voting, Puidgemont said, “Today the Spanish government wrote another shameful page in its history with Catalonia.
” Rajoy, speaking from the Spanish capital of Madrid, said, “The door is not closed to further dialogue.”
(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)
Go to Japanese
September 28, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
On the afternoon of September 22, the Yomitan Village Council held a session at which they approved a special resolution by the majority (13 in favor, 5 in opposition) on an incident of vandalism at the Chibichiri Gama cave in Namihira, Yomitan where residents were forced to commit mass suicide during the Battle of Okinawa.
In the special resolution, the Council declares the destruction a “blasphemy against victims of war” and calls for the passing down of the history of the misery of war and the tragedy of Chibichiri Gama and the rejection of all violence.
It urged current generations to strive with all people towards the goal of “Without peace there is no welfare.”
(English translation by T&CT and Megumi Chibana)
Go to Japanese
September 27, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
The Asian Art Award 2017, an award given to upcoming young global artists, was announced on September 27.
Chikako Yamashiro, art director and artist, from Naha City was given the grand prize.
Yamashiro has been working on the theme of Okinawa in her visual arts and photos.
She published “The Beginning of Creation” in 2015 and “Mud man” in 2016.
Yamashiro will be given a production studio as an extra prize as well as opportunities to exhibit her works in Singapore and Tokyo as part of wider efforts to exchange artworks between Asia and Tokyo.
(English translation by T&CT and Sayaka Sakuma)
Go to Japanese
September 30, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
At around 2 p.m. on September 29, two MV-22 Osprey aircraft belonging to the U.S. military’s Futenma air base made an emergency landing at Ishigaki Airport.
According to the Okinawa Defense Bureau, the cockpit indicator in one of the two Ospreys suggested a possible problem.
The aircraft appeared to suffer engine trouble. There seemed to be no abnormality in the other aircraft.
It is the first time an MV-22 Osprey aircraft has made an emergency landing at a civilian airport in Okinawa.
The Okinawa Prefectural Government requested the Okinawa Defense Bureau stop the flight of Osprey and take measures to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents until the cause is investigated.
Accidents involving MV-22 Osprey aircraft are occurring one after another. An Osprey aircraft belonging to the Futenma base caused a fatal accident in August when it crashed off the coast of Australia.
Since then, Osprey aircraft made emergency landings at the Iejima auxiliary airfield and Oita airport.
According to the Ishigaki Airport Management Office, it received a notification that the MV-22 Ospreys involved in the recent incident would make an emergency landing due to a problem picked up just before it landed.
The two Osprey aircraft landed at the airport at 4:57 p.m. and 4:59 p.m respectively.
After that, the two aircraft were moved to a parking lot.
The airport closed its runway for 36 minutes from 5:11 p.m. due to this incident.
A Japan Transocean Air (JTA)’s flight from Haneda to Ishigaki changed its destination to Miyako Airport.
The flight arrived at Ishigaki Airport about an hour and a half after refueling at Miyako Airport.
The emergency landing affected the 1085 passengers of 14 departure and arrival flights.
The Okinawa Defense Bureau received a notification from the U.S. military that it had made a preventive landing in accordance with normal procedures because a warning light on one of the two aircraft had lit up on a journey to the Phillippines.
Meanwhile, according to the prefecture, oil seemed to have leaked from the right engine of the aircraft signalling a possible problem.
(English translation by T&CT)
Go to Japanese
Webcam(Kokusai Street)
