National Taiwan University announced August 4 that they would continue holding the remains of 63 Ryukyu people at their medical school’s physical anthropology laboratory, and indicated its intention to return the remains to Okinawa.
This was in response to a question by the Chinese Ryukyu Study Society, which comprises Taiwanese and Okinawan researchers. However, the university did not indicate a timeline or destination for the remains, so researches plan on continuing to lobby the school.
The remains, and appear to have been excavated in 1928-1929 by researchers led by anthropologist Takeo Kanaseki (1897-1983) from Mumujana Grave in Nakijin.
Essays and books written by researchers have made it clear that scholars from the former Imperial Universities excavated the Ryukyuan remains, and are being kept in not only Taiwan University but also Kyoto University.
However, university authorities had not made it clear the fact that they had the remains, and this is the first time they announced their intention to return them.
The Chinese Ryukyu Study Society coordinated with Professor Yasukatsu Matsushima, representing the “Research Association for the Repatriation of Ryukyu Remains,” and have continued to lobby Taiwan University for the return of the remains.
According to Professor Matsushima, in addition to Ryukyuan remains, the Chinese Ryukyu Study Society have also been demanding the return of the remains of aboriginal Taiwanese remains.
Kao Chin Su-mei, the senator representing the Ayatal aboriginal people in the Legislative Yuan (national parliament) has also been requesting the return of her ancestors’ remains from the Taiwan Department of Education.
Professor Matsushima said, “The Department of Education is obligated to respond to the senator, and Taiwan University should consider indicating their intention of returning the remains. In recent years, there has been an international tide, starting with the West, of aboriginal remains being returned, such as progress with the return of Ainu remains.
However, it remains unclear if the remains will actually be returned, so we must continue our efforts.”
Both organizations plan to continue coordinating on lobbying former Imperial Universities for the return of Ryukyuan and Taiwan aboriginal remains.
In mid-August, they plan on visiting Kyoto University to inquire about the statues of the Taiwan aboriginal remains being kept there, and to ask for their return.
According to the number counted weekly at 23 medical institutions in Okinawa, the number of heat stroke patients from July 16 to 22 (the 8th week of summer) was 119, and in the weekly summary, it was the highest in the past ten years.
The number from July 23 to 29 (the 9th week of summer), which the prefecture announced on the 3rd, increased by 15 compared to the same period last year. The prefecture’s Regional Healthcare Department plans to take measures against heat stroke with “Koekake” (a coined term for hydrating frequently, avoiding staying under the hot sun, improving ventilation, and maintaining good health).
The prefecture counts the number of heat stroke patients in 23 medical institutions from June 1 every year.
At the beginning of the counting, the number of patients was small. The number gradually increased, and a total of 518 people have had heat stroke between June 1 and July 29.
The total number up to the 9th week of this year was 124 people less than the number from last year.
Since July 30, hot weather has continued every day, with Okinawa recording its highest temperature in observation history, so there is a possibility the number of patients will increase.
392 people developed heat stroke in outdoor places, and 126 people developed it indoor. For outdoor, “construction site” had the largest number with 160 people, 55 people in playgrounds and 48 people in farmlands.
For indoor, not using air conditioning caused the high temperatures in rooms. Elderly patients also continue to suffer from heat stroke. A prefectural official said, “Especially for elderly people, it is hard to feel the heat, so please improve ventilation and drink water frequently.”
Representatives from the Shirohara district in Ginoza village visited the Okinawa Defense Bureau to request immediate suspension of hang-training and removal of the landing areas for helicopters, also known as Falcon, around the community.
The district chief, Sakihama, stressed “there are ceaseless complains about low-flying aircrafts and noise.
There are also some residents whose health is damaged by the dust.
” Residents also reported a part of concrete housing was damaged due to the vibration from Ospreys.
The director of planning, Shinya Ito, said “we apologize for the severe effects on residents’ everyday life” and further responded with, “although we directly addressed the US marines last week as well, we would like to address this report to them again.”
The director Ito responded to a report in which residents pointed out that part of a concrete building fell off because of the vibration from Ospreys, saying “I think we need to examine the causal relationship between the damaged wall and training, and although it ?? is not to respond directly to the fallen block, we need to come up with actual solutions for such damages.
” He avoided providing accurate responses about the fallen concrete.
Chief Sakihama visited Yonekichi Shinzato, the chair of the prefectural assembly, as well as Katsuhiro Yoshida, the directr for policy co-ordination at the prefectural government, to request for suspension of trainings and the removal of the landing area.
Chair Shinzato answered; “we need to wait until our meeting in September to respond as the prefectural assembly, however I would lilke to start from myself by calling on the Okinawa Defense Bureau to show resentment against the situation.”
Katsuhiro Yoshida, the director for policy co-ordination, commented that “training must not be allowed to resume without a full investigation into the accident of the fallen tire.”
Upon hearing the request from the district, the prefectural government requested the Okinawa Defense Bureau and Marines in Okinawa stop the hang-training, remove the Falcon landing area, as well as to consider stopping use of the landing area around residential areas.
District chief Sakihama also visited the Ginoza village office on the same day to point out that there are flight trainings until midnight, that there are abnormal situations with noise and dust, and that there has been no change despite the fact that residents have filed complaints many times. He further requested the village plan strategies for solving such issues.
An MV-22 Osprey belonging to U.S. Marine Corp Air Station Futenma crashed off the coast of Australia on August 5. Only seven months have passed since the Futenma-based MV-22 crashed on the coast of Abu, Nago City, last December.
Concerns and angers have since spread among citizens.
The community is saying; “MV-22 Osprey crash again?”, “We do not know when and where it will fall.
It is really dangerous,” and “Do not fly it again.”
The U.S. military resumed its MV-22 operations only a few days after last year December’s crash in Nago.
The U.S. military continues its routine training of MV-22 Ospreys, which take off from the Futenma base and carry out training in various places in the prefecture such as Ginowan City, the U.S. Marines Northern Training Center in Higashi and Kunigami Villages, Shirohara Ward in Gninoza Village, Naha City, Ie Village and so on.
Shoichi Kawada, 66, who lives in Abu, Nago, said, “this accident happened less than one year after the crash of Abu.
The U.S. military should not fly Ospreys again.”
An Osprey made an emergency landing on Ie-jima Island in June this year.
“The Osprey was once again proven to be a flawed machine,” Ryosho Henzan, the head of Majya District, Ie-jima Island, emphasized.
“This is a miserable government. The government will not listen even if we speak out on the dangers to try to stop the Osprey’s operations.”
Ikuko Isa, 56, who lives in Takae Ward, Higashi Village, stressed, “The Ospreys always fly over Takae and we do not know when they will crash.
Okinawan people need to demand the withdrawal of the Ospreys deployment once again.”
In Shirohara Ward, Ginoza Village, local people have been suffering from the noise and dust pollution caused by the Ospreys’ takeoff and landing training. Hidemasa Sakihama, the head of the ward, said, “There was the Osprey’s crash in Abu and an incident in which something dropped off an aircraft in Camp Hansen. You can easily imagine easily that such an incident could take place. ”
Toshio Takahashi, 64, the executive secretary of the plaintiffs in the second Futenma noise lawsuit, lives in an area about 150 meters away from the Futenma base. Takahashi said, “Emergency landings and night trainings have been on the increase recently.
I feel uneasy about safety because the probability of accidents will increase especially at nighttime.”
Zenji Shimada, 77, a Ginowan City resident and the president of the plaintiffs in the second Futenma noise lawsuit, said, “We have indicated that the MV-22 Osprey is a flawed aircraft. If the Osprey aircraft is deployed across the country, there will be a crash in the other prefectures.
This is not only a problem in Okinawa.”
On August 12, an Okinawa prefectural people’s rally will be held to push the Japanese and the United States governments to cancel the construction of the new U.S. base in Henoko.
Co-representative of All Okinawa Kaigi (All Okinawa Coalition) Ai Tamaki, a 22-year-old Uruma City resident, said, “Because there are the U.S. military bases, people in Okinawa always live in danger of accidents.
The country’s officials say that they will protect Okinawa and Japanese people’s lives and properties, but we do not feel we are being protected at all.”
Washington Special Correspondent Yukiyo Zaha reporting
Fifty-seven-year-old businessman William Hagerty will be taking the post of U.S. Ambassador to Japan under the Trump administration.
On July 28 Hagerty spoke in regards the standoff between the Okinawa prefectural government and the Japanese government concerning U.S. military bases, including the lawsuit being brought against the central government by the Okinawa prefectural government over unauthorized coral fracturing, seeking to halt construction of a replacement facility for Futenma in Henoko.
He mentioned that he wants to better understand the issues affecting Japan, and said, “I think the United States should play a constructive role.”
Hagerty also demonstrated his consideration toward the Okinawa base problem by mentioning that he wishes to express his deep gratitude for all regions that host U.S. military bases.
The same day Hagerty attended a reception held to welcome him to the post at the official residence of the Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. in Washington, and appeared at his first press conference following his Senate confirmation.
He announced that he will take up his new post in Japan in mid-August.
Although the trip has not yet been scheduled, Hagerty said, “I indeed intend to go to Okinawa to visit all of our military installations.
” In gratitude, he expressed his desire for the U.S. military to do what it can for its host communities.
Referring to North Korea’s test-launch of a ballistic missile earlier the same day, he said that the U.S. and Japan “stand resolute to confront any threat,” showing his determination not only to intensify pressure on North Korea, but to maintain a strong U.S.-Japan alliance.
Okinawa – Okinawa City Mayor Sachio Kuwae visited the U.S. Air Force’s 18th Mission Support Group at Kadena Air Base on the morning of August 2, to protest an assault perpetrated by an airman belonging to the base just before dawn July 21.
Kuwae was demanding that regular joint conferences be set up between the city, business owners from around the base, and the military, to co-develop policies to prevent incidents in the future, and to implement an education program for the U.S. military.
Additionally, Kuwae also called for an apology be given and reparations paid to the victim, and re-emphasized the need for the education program. After the appeal, Mayor Kuwae said to reporters, “We cannot allow violence against our citizens.
If we were to create a place for locals to voice their concerns, it would lead to stopping the U.S. military’s violent behavior.
” According to the Mayor, Col. Paul Oldham, commander of the 18th Mission Support Group said that, “based on the result of the investigation, an apology and compensation will follow.”
Between 10:10 p.m. and 10:50 p.m. on August 3, Ospreys conducted takeoff and landing practice on the Falcon, the helicopter takeoff and landing strip in U.S. military Camp Hansen near a residential area in Shirohara Ward, Ginoza Village.
Takeoff and landing practices have been conducted every day at all hours of the day at the Falcon, causing the local residents to suffer from the noise and vibrations.
According to the Head Chief of Shirohara Ward, Hidemasa Sakihama who witnessed the takeoff and landing of Ospreys, two or three Ospreys circled around and took off and landed about five times.
Up until now, Shirohara Ward has requested the removal of the Falcon, the cancelation of low altitude and night time flights, and has repeatedly complained to the U.S. military via the Okinawa Defense Bureau.
(English translation by T&CT and Chelsea Ashimine)
A public funeral to mourn former governor Masahide Ota, who passed away on June 12, and honor his achievements was held on the afternoon of July 26 at the Okinawa Convention Center in Ginowan.
Governor Takeshi Onaga served as chair of the organizing committee for the funeral. Around 2,000 people attended to pay their respects to former governor Ota. At the ceremony, Governor Onaga expressed his determination to inherit the principles for which Ota stood.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who attended together with Minister of State for Okinawa Affairs Yosuke Tsuruho, emphasized his commitment to reducing the burden of bases on Okinawa and to Okinawa revitalization in his commemorative remarks, saying, “I will contribute as much as possible to the building of a bright future for Okinawa.
” Former vice governor Mikio Higa gave a speech as a representative of Ota’s close friends, saying, “We will continue to oppose all attempts to impose discrimination against or sacrifice upon Okinawans.
” His comment drew applause from the audience.
This prefectural funeral was the third to be held in Okinawa, following those of former governors Chobyo Yara and Junji Nishime.
At the ceremony, Governor Onaga praised Ota’s achievements of building the Cornerstone of Peace, opening the Okinawa Prefectural Archives, and handling U.S. base-related issues.
“There is no question that the issue of reducing the base burden on Okinawa came to be discussed in national politics as a result of Ota’s decisiveness,” said Onaga.
He continued, “I pledge that we will inherit the principle of ‘a spirit of peace-loving coexistence’ that Ota adhered to till the very end, and that we will continue endeavoring to build an Okinawa where our children and grandchildren, the bearers of the future, can live with peaceful smiles.”
(Tokyo) On August 2, the liaison council of governors primarily involved in public affairs, comprising the governors of the fifteen prefectures where U.S. military bases are located and chaired by Kanagawa Governor Yuji Kuroiwa, held a regular general meeting at the prefectural meeting hall in Chiyoda Ward.
At the meeting, Governor Kuroiwa proposed that conditions for use of Japanese airports by the U.S. military during disasters should be incorporated into the Status of Forces Agreement.
Vice chair Governor Takeshi Onaga did not oppose the proposal, but expressed reservations, saying, “That could lead to the possibility of [U.S.] base functions being strengthened under the name of disaster prevention. I have some concerns.”
Kuroiwa proposed a “Special Agreement for Times of Disaster etc.
” Regarding the emergency use of airports and the like, he is also considering “investigating the possibility of introducing restrictions to prevent [the agreement] from leading to strengthening of base functions.
” He also indicated the necessity of advancing research regarding criminal trial procedures and further strengthening cooperation with the nationwide governors’ council.
There were no objections to his proposals, and going forward the council will discuss whether to incorporate these matters into a list of requests to the central government.
After the general meeting, the council adopted a written request and delivered it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, and the U.S. Embassy.
In light of the recent rape and murder of a woman by a U.S. military contractor, a “supplemental agreement” clarifying the scope of military associates who are subject to the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement was executed in January of this year.
The written request adopted by the council once more called for disclosure of the report from the U.S. side regarding revision of the criteria for application of the supplementary agreement.
In light of the fact that the U.S. Military Realignment Promotion Law, which stipulates realignment subsidies and the like, has been extended for another ten years, the list of requests newly included matters relating to new and expanded regional promotion measures.
Ministry of Defense parliamentary official Takayuki Kobayashi accepted the written request, stating, “We hope to respond to each of these requests sincerely and appropriately.”
The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare will undertake DNA examination of the remains of Battle of Okinawa and civilian war victims.
The Ministry will send application forms for a DNA test to the bereaved families on July 26 and thereafter.
On July 26, the person in charge at the Ministry reported the plans to Takamatsu Gushiken, the representative of the Gamafuya, a volunteer group dedicated to the recovery of Battle of Okinawa remains.
The government had restricted examinations only to military personnel and taken limited measures such as establishing regional conditions for a place of death. However, in the future, the government will include civilian war dead in its examinations as a reflection of the stateʻs responsibility for the misdeeds of the war.
Gushiken said, “I am so pleased that it makes me cry.
I hope many remains will be returned to the bereaved family. It will be a big step.”
In March, the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare announced that not only will bereaved families of officials of the former Japanese Army who are relatively easy to locate be included, but also civilian victims will be subjects of DNA examination.
In response to this, Gushiken and bereaved families met with the staff in charge at the Ministry in Tokyo on July 12 and submitted the list of 135 people, who are the bereaved families wishing for DNA examinations to identify the remains of 169 war dead including civilians.
The staff told Ryukyu Shimpo, “It is not certain at this time whether all examinations of applicants will be carried out. We will be sure to respond flexibly.
The majority of the war dead to be examined are civilians, and the place of death is not known in many cases.
Gushiken praised the inclusion of civilians, but raised questions about the uncertainty of the criteria for test implementation.
He said, “It is the stateʻs responsibility to search for all the victims of the war and return them to the bereaved families.
” He called for prompt action as the bereaved families age.
81-year-old Yoshihiko Shinzato applied for the remains of his older brother Eitoku (14 years old at the time of death) to be searched and examined.
He was mobilized as a soldier and died in the southern part of Okinawa Island. Shinzato said that he is very pleased with the governemntʻs response.
However, on a personal level the collection of the remains brings up challenging emotions 72 years after the war. Shinzato stressed that “cooperation from the state and prefecture is essential” and called for the inclusion of examinations of all the war dead including civilians.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is accepting applications for DNA examinations on the Ministryʻs website this month.
Nishihara Senior High School Marching Band won the top international award in the marching and show band categories of the WMC (world music contest) Kerkrade, which is held in the Netherlands once every four years.
Nishihara received the best international award for the first time in 12 years.
The organizer announced the results on a live stream at around 6:30 p.m. on July 30.
With 61 members, considerably less than other bands, Nishihara displayed its ingenuity with its formation and selection of music, playing The Beatles’ songs to attract an audience.
Members of the Nishihara SHS Marching Band were pleased to win the award they hoped for.
The top international awards were selected from the gold medal winners among overseas participating groups.
The Nishihara SHS Marching Band received the award in 2001 and 2005.
Yuuki Nakamoto, the advisor of the marching band, said, “We tried the Beetles’ songs which are popular around the world.
The venue’s reaction was marvelous! We received a standing ovation at the end of the performance. We were able to perform a show that united us with the venue, sharing the same feelings.”
Webcam(Kokusai Street)
