March 1, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo
The fifth hearing in the trial brought by the Japanese government against the Okinawa prefectural government over the construction of a new base in Henoko, Nago as part of the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma was held at the Naha branch of the Fukuoka High Court on February 29. At Gusukudake Park in front of the court, an organization, “All Okinawa Kaigi”, to prevent the construction of a new base in Henoko held a rally to protest against...
February 24, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo
The Central Environment Council approved an area expansion plan on February 23 for the Iriomote Ishigaki National Park to cover the whole area of Iriomote Island (29,000ha) in Yaeyama. The official announcement of the plan will be made in the related offices...
February 24, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo
On February 23, January 16 in the old lunar calendar, a new year memorial service for the dead, called “Juroku-nichi-sai”, was held in Okinawa.
Many families offered special meals and prayers to their family alters, in their homes or at graves, for...
March 1, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo
Local autonomy, democracy, and human rights are facing a dire situation.
At the Naha branch of the Fukuoka High Court, two trials have drawn to a close between the Japanese government and Okinawa prefecture over the permit to authorize land reclamation in...
February 26, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo
It has been demonstrated once again that dangers from U.S. Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma cannot be removed without construction of a new base in Henoko, Nago.
Commander of U.S. Pacific Command Harry Harris expects the replacement facility to...
February 25, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo
A survey of U.S. aircraft noise impact on classrooms was carried out by the Education Bureau of Okinawa Prefecture last June for 27 public schools in three municipalities: Ginowan, Kadena, and Chatan. The majority of schools responded in the survey that the noise...
February 28, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo
The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) announced on February 27 that it would designate about 17,000 hectares of the northern part of Okinawa as “Yambaru National Park (tentative name)”. The area, which is located in three villages, Kunigami, Higashi...
February 18, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo
The Japanese government decided to nominate seven prefectures’ cultural events, including Miyako island’s Pantu, for intangible cultural heritage designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. In Miyako’s Pantu, local...
February 23, 2016 Hirokazu Otsubo, Correspondent of Ryukyu Shimpo
Whale watching season has taken off at Zamami Bay. Two large humpback whales were spotted from a whale watching boat on February 18. They occasionally peeked their heads above the water and swam together playfully.
In...
February 19, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo
February 19 is called Usui or rainwater, which is one of 24 solar terms in the traditional East Asian lunisolar calendars, and the time the coldness eases and farming starts.
Ueda ugan is an annual event held on February 18 at Ukinjuhainju,Tamagusuku...
February 21, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo
Chokei Taira, the president of the Okinawa Convention & Visitors‘ Bureau (OCVB), delivered a lecture titled “Rethink about the future of Okinawa and the tourism industry” held on February 20 at Okinawa International University.
Taira...
Webcam(Kokusai Street)