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August 17, 2017Ryukyu Shimpo
A delegation of the All-Okinawa Kaigi (All-Okinawa Coalition) departed from Naha for the United States to raise awareness about the current situation regarding the construction of a new U.S. base in Henoko, Nago.
It is the second time the All-Okinawa Kaigi has sent a delegation to the U.S.
The head of the delegation and an Upper House member Yoichi Iha said, “We want to tell people about a situation in which Okinawa has been oppressed by the U.S. military for 72 years following the war.”
The All Okinawa Kaigi’s co-representative and the Kanehide Group chairman Morimasa Goya showed their support for members of the delegation at a departure ceremony held in Naha Airport on the morning of August 16.
Goya said, “We will have to keep working to stop the construction of the new Henoko base and to make Okinawa a more peaceful island.”
During the visit from August 17 to 22, the delegation members will take part in APALA (Asia-Pacific American Worker Association) ‘s 14th Biennial Convention and 25th Anniversary Celebration and will have an exhibition booth at the venue to inform people about the current situation in Okinawa.
They will also meet with the UN Special Rapporteur Professor David Kaye and members of the House of Representatives.
(English translation by T&CT)
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August 14, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Special Correspondent Yukiyo Zaha
Chicago – The peace organization comprised of retired U.S. military members, Veterans for Peace (VFP) held their 32nd Annual Convention this past weekend.
During the VFP Business meeting on August 12, members unanimously passed two resolutions proposed by the Okinawa Chapter (Doug Lummis, Chairman).
One resolution was to, “Oppose the U.S. military base construction in Henoko, Nago; and Takae, Higashi,” the other to, “Demand the U.S. and North Korea execute a non-belligerence treaty.
” This is the second straight year that the VFP has adopted a resolutions opposing base construction in Henoko and Takae.
The convention was held in Chicago, Illinois from August 9-13.
The resolution opposing the base construction identified not only the new base construction in Henoko as part of the Japanese and U.S. government’s relocation of MCAS Funtema and the helipad construction in the area around Takae, Higashi, but also the MV- 22 Osprey flights, as threatening the beautiful nature in Okinawa and quality of life of its residents. The VFP demanded the U.S. government immediately (1) Close MCAS Futenma and return the land to Okinawa, (2) Cancel all planned new base construction in Henoko, and (3) Remove the Ospreys from Okinawa and restore the forests in Takae.
The resolution concerning North Korea was co-sponsored by VFP Japan (represented by Takao Izutsu), which comprises retired JSDF members, and the resolution explained that if the U.S. and North Korea were to go to war, Okinawa and Japan would be the victims.
Furthermore, the resolution demanded the U.S. government engage North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in talks, and through diplomacy negotiate a peace treaty.
Thereafter, the resolutions were passed by a vote of all members from each of the VFP chapters.
(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)
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August 10, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Chie Tome
New species of spider and goby fish have been found in Okinawa Prefecture. Okinawa is known worldwide as a location that fosters abundant biological diversity.
This discovery of new species once again reaffirms the idea that Okinawa still holds many species that have yet to be discovered and researched.
Former Professor at the University of the Ryukyus and Doctor of Science Matsuei Shimojana and Researcher Hirotsugu Ono from the Department of Zoology at the National Museum of Nature and Science discovered the “Daitou Cicurina spider,” a spider endemic to Minamidaitou Island.
This spider is a new species that is part of the genus Cicurina and this is the first reported case of this spider being found anywhere in the world.
Specimen of Eso goby, named “Ninja” for its scientific name (provided by Ken Maeda)
Meanwhile, a research team comprised of Researcher Ken Maeda and others from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) discovered the “Eso goby.
” They initially believed it was a rare type of goby that had previously been discovered living in the Ryukyu Islands. However, they eventually determined that this particular goby was in fact a new species.
Shimojana, who has been researching spiders in Okinawa for many years, affirmed that “We will never finish researching biological species in Okinawa.
” But at the same time, he warned that if people continue to develop the land and destroy the environment, then the ecosystem of endemic species will collapse, which may lead to rare species dying out.
“The nature in front of us should not be taken for granted, it is a treasure that was given to us.
I want people to cherish it, so we can preserve it into the future,” he said
(English translation by T&CT and Chelsea Ashimine)
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August 7, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
The 23rd Ten Thousand Eisa Dance Parade was held on August 6 on Kokusai Street in Naha.
In the scorching sun with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, approximately four thousand people gave heroic performances.
The same 66 organizations that took part last year participated this year.
Participants of all ages performed at ten places on Kokusai Street and entertained about 65,000 spectators.
Shiryu Kinjo, a freshman at Maehara Highschool, who participated as a member of “Yuidaiko” based in Uruma, said, “It was hot, but fun to dance with everyone. I feel a sense of accomplishment.”
Kiyomi Taira from Naha City danced with her grandson Ruito Asato.
Taira said with a smile, “When I hear the sound of a drum, it makes my heart beat fast.”
(English translation by T&CT and Megumi Chibana)
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August ４, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
Okinawa City held an opening ceremony for the month of peace between August 1 and September 7 at the city hall on August 1. During this period there will be various events around the city such as exhibits on the jetliner crash at the Miyamori elementary school as well as atomic bombs during WWII. There will also be an event in which citizens will attempt to make a guiness for the longest rope of origami cranes.
At the ceremony, sixteen middle school students and one from a general public, who were assigned to be ambassadors for peace, sung the theme song called “jidai no kataribe” – storyteller of the era – together to pledge to achieve the peaceful world without wars.
A thirteen-year-old second grade middle school student, Arashi Kaneji, who made a speech at the ceremony stated, “let’s not forget the mistakes from the past and think about the meaning of peace.”
Sixty-seven-year old Tokuhide Nakahodo said, “the month for peace is a great opportunity to think about what we can achieve through learning about wars.”
(English translation by T&CT and Sayaka Sakuma)
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August 11, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
Three Geoemyda japonica, also known as Ryukyu Yamagame turtle, were born at the Okinawa Zoo and Museum.
This is the first hatch in the past five years at the zoo.
Ryukyu Yamagame is a national monument and designated as an endangered species.
A thirty-seven-year old curator as well as keeper, Masamichi Fujine, said, “this can provide some hints for us to know its biology.”
Ryukyu Yamagame is unique because its carapace has three elevated lines and a knurled edge.
Its biology is not well-known.
There has been a number of egg-layings observed at the Okinawa Zoo and Museum this year.
As of August 1, the number of collected eggs has reached thirty-six, of which sixteen eggs are sperm eggs.
The size of young Ryukyu Yamagame is about three centimeters, but it can reach more than fifteen centimeters when fully grown.
There is no plan to make the turtles viewable to the public.
(English translation by T&CT and Sayaka Sakuma)
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August 13, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
On August 12, The All Okinawa Kaigi (All Okinawa Coalition) held a mass rally to support Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga and resist the construction of a new U.S. base in Henoko, Nago, at Onoyama Athletic Stadium, Naha.
The rally called for the cancellation of the new base and the withdrawal of MV-22 Osprey vertical take-off and landing transport aircraft belonging to the Futenma base and the halting of MV-22 Osprey flights.
According to the organizer, about 45,000 people gathered at the rally.
In addition to a declaration stating that they will continue to resist absurdity in order to protect local autonomy, democracy and human rights, participants adopted a special resolution calling for the withdrawal of MV-22 Ospreys from Okinawa and the halting the flights in the wake of the Osprey crash in Australia.
Governor Onaga renewed his determination to repeal the previous governor’s approval of land reclamation in Oura Bay, saying, “Based on all the information available, I will decide the time to repeal the approval.”
Participants held placards stating, “We will not give up” at the mass rally held at Onoyama Athletic Stadium, Naha, at 3:22 p.m. on August 12. (Photograph taken by Naoya Oshiro)
The declaration called for “an immediate halt to the illegal landfill by the central government which has been suppressing Okinawa’s popular will.
” It further criticized the government saying, “We ask these questions. Is there a true democracy in this country, and what is a law-abiding country?”
Moreover, it stressed, “We will totally support the lawsuit brought by Governor Onaga with full power.”
A special resolution protesting against the Osprey crash stated; “There have been abnormal situations such as crashes and emergency landings occurring in succession around the world, including Okinawa in only eight months.”
It sought the withdrawal of the Osprey deployment and the halting of flight operations, investigations into the cause of the accidents, the immediate closure and removal of the Futenma airfield, a halt to nighttime aircraft training, sling loads, and rappelling training in helicopters.
Members of the organization behind the event will visit Tokyo later to hand the special resolution to the prime minister’s official residence and the U.S. embassy in Japan.
Co-representative of the All Okinawa Kaigi Ai Tamaki, a student at the Ryukyu University’s Graduate School, said in her speech, “The lives of individuals living in the prefecture should not be allowed to become ‘sacrifice stones’ in order to maintain and strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance.”
Co-representative of the All Okinawa Kaigi Tetsumi Takara, a professor at the University of the Ryukyus, urged participants to convey the fact that many residents gathered here in order to seek the right to survive in peace and live without fear.
In tandem with the rally in Okinawa, gatherings were held in other prefectures, including Kyoto and Hyogo, demanding cancellation of the new base’s construction in Henoko.
The All Okinawa Kaigi announced at the rally that it would send a delegation to the Unites States in order to convey the Okinawan popular will, which opposes the construction of the new base in Henoko.
A delegation will be sent for the second time to the U.S. since January this year.
The delegation will visit San Francisco and other cities from August 16 to 24, and will meet with members of Congress, labor unions and civil groups.
(English translation by T&CT)
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August 11, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
The MV-22 Ospreys, vertical takeoff-capable transport helicopters stationed at MCAS Futenma, has experienced a total of 10 accidents and emergency landings since being deployed in 2012.
This was reported by officials from the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly’s U.S. military base special committee (MBSC) on August 10.
This includes two crashes, one which occurred in December of 2016 in Abu in Nago City, and another which occurred August 5 off the coast of Australia.
This brings the crash rate for the 24 Ospreys at MCAS Futenma to 8.3%.
The 10 accidents and malfunctions consist of one case of instrument malfunction, one case of a dropped water bottle, two cases of a helicopter part falling, three emergency landings (including preventative landings), one case of a “belly landing” (landing without the landing gears), and two crashes.
Kiichiro Jahana, head of the Executive Office of the Governor, said regarding the continued accidents and malfunctions of the Ospreys, “Over 30 people have died worldwide. The helicopters fly over the heads of Okinawans daily, and [the U.S. military] does nothing to assuage their fears.
It is a gravely alarming problem,” indicating his concern over the continuing Osprey flights.
Jahana added, “We must continue to demand the decommissioning of the Ospreys to both the U.S. and Japanese governments,” declaring that Okinawa would continue to work towards decommissioning the Ospreys.
(Translations by T&CT and Sam Grieb)
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August 10 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
The U.S. Air Force began to conduct a night time parachute drop training within the sea of the Tsukenjima Training Area, Uruma City, at around 8 p.m. on August 9.
The Okinawa Prefectural Government and Uruma City Office urged the U.S. military to cancel the training in the area.
However, the U.S. military forcibly carried out the training ignoring the local governments’ request.
It was the fifth time the parachute drop training has been held in the area.
The training had previously been carried out during daylight hours, but this was the first time it was held at night.
Uruma City Mayor Toshio Shimabukuro told a Ryukyu Shimpo reporter, “I will continue to ask for cancellation of the training in the Tsukenjima Training Area.”
There are fishing grounds for mozuku seaweed near the training area, and sometimes fishing boats use the area.
Regular ships between the Main Island and Tsukenjima Island also sail near the training area.
“The training could be a hindrance to the economic activities of citizens… if there is a crash, potential oil leakage could create a very serious situation,” local residents said.
The prefecture and city officials have repeatedly made strong requests to stop the parachute drop training at the Tsukenjima Training Area when they were notified by the U.S. military.
However, the U.S. military officials have insisted that the training was held within “an approved training area.” The parachute drop training is being continuously carried out at the Tsukenjima Training Area.
At around 8:20 p.m., an aircraft, which is speculated to be an MC-130 special operations plane that took off from the U.S. Kadena Air Base, appeared above the Tsukenjima Training Area.
It was confirmed that at least eight objects were dropped from the aircraft several times in the dark.
The training lasted until around 10 p.m.
The prefectural government has asked the U.S. military to use the Iejima Auxiliary Airfield for the parachute drop training, because it is allowed to conduct such training according to the final report of the SACO agreement.
Meanwhile, the central government allows the U. S. military’s use of the Tsukenjima Training Area for the parachute drop training.
Both sides have a different view on the use of the Tsukenjima Training Area for parachute drop training.
(English translation by T&CT)
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August 7, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo online edition
On the morning of August 7, Governor Takeshi Onaga was approached by a group of reporters on his way to work. He answered their inquiries concerning the MV-22 Osprey vertical takeoff and landing aircraft from Futenma Air Station that crashed off the eastern coast of Australia on August 5. Onaga said that such accidents are bound to happen, putting it down to the Osprey being an awful aircraft.
Accidents like this have happened repeatedly, including in Hawaii in 2015 and on the coast of Abu, Nago City, last December. Onaga criticized the Japanese government’s handling of these circumstances, saying that it is not properly exercising its involvement or carrying out its duties, as currently nothing has been said from investigations into the cause of the accidents.
In order to protest the accident Onaga called Tsukasa Kawada, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Okinawa Liaison Office’s ambassador in charge of Okinawan Affairs, and Koichiro Nakajima, the director-general of the Okinawa Defense Bureau, to the Okinawa Prefectural Office on the evening of August 7.
(English translation by T&CT and Erin Jones)
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August 10, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo online edition
In the morning on August 10, about 120 people protesting the construction of a replacement facility for Futenma Air Station in Henoko, Nago City, conducted a sit-in at Camp Schwab’s gate.
The participants offered a minute of silence for the three U.S. Marines who died in the August 5 MV-22 Osprey vertical takeoff and landing aircraft crash off the eastern coast of Australia.
An Okinawa City resident who attended the protest, 79-year-old Toyomitsu Miyagi said: “Presumably these soldiers had families. All human life is of equal importance.
I prayed for the protection of the soldiers’ honor who fell victim to the crash.”
He went on to say: “It is futile to conduct military exercises that have resulted in the loss of human life. We must certainly not allow the construction of a new base, which could lead to a rekindling of war. For the sake of Okinawa’s future from here on I will continue to oppose construction of the new base.”
People were also protesting from three boats and ten canoes on the water in Henoko Bay.
The Okinawa Defense Bureau has installed steel planks on the land portion of the K9 seawall (on the north side of the land reclamation area) construction site in Camp Schwab.
In addition, heavy machinery leveled out soil hauled in by large trucks in the vicinity of the planned sites for construction the K1 seawall (south side of reclamation area) and the N5 seawall (on the west side of the peninsula along the coast).
(English translation by T&CT and Erin Jones)
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Webcam(Kokusai Street)
