The highly-anticipated inauguration of Okinawa Karatekaikan was held on March 5. With the building open to the public, Karate groups showcased their exercises. Those who visited the building said they were happy to see it completed.
Kazuhiko Shimoji of Shorinryu Kawasaki Do-jo, said, “It is a nice and refreshing building.”
Eleven-year-old Shunto Sueyoshi of Shorinryu Seinshinkan Sakugawa Do-jo, who practices karate two times a week, said, “I would like to get a black belt and go to the Olympics.” After practicing at the new Karatekaikan, Sueyoshi said, “It was really good.”
Sixty-seven-year-old Koji Wada of Mita Karatekai, took part in a Karate exchange performance before the practice. Wada was the champion of the Kumite division in the First World Karate-do Championship. Wada said, “It is an honor for those of us who learned karate from Gichin Funakoshi, known as the ‘Father of Modern Day Karate,’ to take part in the opening of new Karatekaikan.”
Members of the general public looked around the building. Eighty-four-year-old Take Yamashiro who watched the practice, said, “I didn’t expect such a big building. I want Okinawan Karate to be spread from this place.”
On the morning of March 4, Sanshin Day, an Okinawan musical instrument concert was held in front of gate of Camp Schwab at Henoko, Nago, where citizen groups have been staging a sit-in-protest against construction of the new U.S. base.
The concert started with a Kagiyade-fu dance accompanied by 20 performers sanshin and koto. More than one hundred citizens sang the folk song “Tinsagu nu hana” in chorus and did the Okinawan Kachashi dance with enthusiasm.
Young people performed songs and arts, and sanshin players took part in the Sanshin Day event held at noon across the Ryukyu Islands.
Sculptor Minoru Kinjo jumped into the event and performed Geta (wooden clogs) Odori dance in accordance with sanshin song Tachiutushi.
Kinjo said, “Ryukyuan people, who were not allowed to have swords, had geta to defend themselves from the high-handedness of officers sent by the Satsuma warlord. We’ve created a culture to defend ourselves, not to attack others.” In 1609, the Ryukyu Kingdom was invaded by forces of the Japanese feudal domain of Satsuma.
Hiroshi Ashitomi, co-representative of the Helicopter Base Objection Association, said, “This is the third year we have held the Sanshin Day event in front of the gate. Okinawa has the power of culture. We will hold [the sanshin concert] until the Japanese government gives up the new base construction, no matter what interference may occur.”
As of 10:30 a.m., there were no construction vehicles entering and exiting the base and about 150 citizens gathered along the road in front of the gate.
Citizens aboard two protest ships and 10 canoes monitored construction on the sea, but there was no move to do further work.
On February 28 at the Diet, a citizens group that opposes the Ground Self-Defense Force being deployed to the Nansei Islands held negotiations with the government requesting that the troops be removed. The citizens group pointed out the government’s contradiction. The government claims that the troops are stationed there in the case that a post is created to establish a legal position and as a deterrent, and yet they work with the U.S. to push forward with exercises to reclaim the island(s). The citizens group stressed the importance of coming up with evacuation plans. The government implied that coming up with evacuation plans is the local government’s responsibility and avoided giving a definite answer. Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism gave their explanations. Overall, the government avoided giving definite answers to many of the citizens’ questions.
On whether the international legal position of the Ground Self-Defense Force post would be considered a military target, the representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “Ordinarily, it is not a military target.” The representative thereby repeatedly stressed the government’s long-standing opinion and avoided giving a definite answer regarding the dangers of it. City council member Kaori Ishimine and others who had traveled from Miyakojima pointed out, “If that is the case, then does that mean that Japan currently does not have any military targets? (We) would like (you) to be more specific.”
A representative from the citizen’s side pointed out, “If we can establish a deterring force, then there is no need for plans to reclaim the island(s).” People questioned whether the government would utilize the Self-Defense Force Law and has plans to conscript citizens based on the type of work they are engaged in. The representative from the Ministry of Defense said, “We are not in that situation right now, so we cannot answer” and did not give a definite answer.
It was the Miyakojima City Council, Nansei Islands Peace Net, Yaima Ufuji Association, and Create a Peaceful Future for Children of Tidanufa Islands Association that held negotiations with the government.
(English translation by T&CT and Chelsea Ashimine)
On March 2, aircraft from Futenma Air Station including MV-22 Osprey vertical takeoff and landing aircraft conducted low-altitude flight training at a helipad commonly called “Falcon” in the vicinity of Ginoza Village, Shirohara Ward. At its highest the sound from these aircraft was recorded at 97 decibels.
Although there were not many Osprey, the aircraft took off from and landed on Falcon fifteen times. Similarly, the small number of helicopters took off and landed using the helipad five times. These aircraft circled in the vicinity of the ward over and over, including above private property. In December last year aircraft repeatedly conducted exercises suspending objects from cables and engaged in nighttime flights over private property.
Shirohara Ward officials requested that the military suspend nighttime flights and cease use of the helipad Falcon, as there is private property nearby. They made objection to these flights many times through the Okinawa Defense Bureau to the U.S. military.
Eighty-six year-old Tadanobu Izumi, who lives about 300 meters from Falcon, said, “I thought it had been quieter recently, but then it got noisy again.”
Shirohara Ward Chief Hidemasa Sakihama shared his thoughts: “No matter how many times we protest the state of things doesn’t change. The Okinawa Defense Bureau does not listen to residents’ words, only to what the US says.”
Ogami Island is located around four kilometers northeast of Miyako Island. It is known as the “Island of Prayer,” best represented by the secret ritual Uyagan. The only of Miyako Island’s four surrounding islands not accessible by bridge, access is limited to a regular ferry that departs from Shimajiri Bay. Because of the secret ritual, up until now outside investigations and outside settlement on the island has been blocked.
Due to continuing population decline, the population is around 25 people, 1/6 of what it was at its peak in the 1950’s. All of this contributes to the islands air of mystery.
It is around a 15 minute boat ride to the island. There is only a single road connecting the port to the village. The houses along the road are adorned with nets and glass buoys, painting a scene of a tranquil fishing village. Almost all of the visitors take the one road from the port, arriving at “Pyutati” in around 10 minutes. The place is surrounded by the view of a beautiful, cobalt blue sea.
From the port, an incomplete road meant to circle the island stretches out in both directions. Construction began almost 35 years ago, but at some point along the way they met with a large stone that could not be broken up by their machinery, and this among other incidences led the road to go unfinished. At the time it was said on the island that they had, “made the god of nature angry.” But now it is generally considered that Ogami Island has a uniquely hard ground that could not be penetrated by machines.
While circling around the island on the road, you can enjoy looking for groups of large stones protruding from the water. In particular, there is a popular stone on the north side of the island that looks like a mushroom, which has been dubbed the, “Nocchi stone.” People who have seen the stone, characterized by its narrow base, say, “It is strange that it has not fallen over yet,” and that it was a little nerve-racking.
These rituals and prayers had been performed for a little shy of 60 years. This includes the observation of the famous Paantu. Among these rituals, the one the island residents hold most dear is Uyagan. Even now, for the Uyagan ceremony four times a year, a part of the island is restricted to everyone except the women who perform the ceremony.
While declining population threatens the continuation of these rituals, the island steadfastly protects their traditions, resisting the flow of time. This attitude is at the heart of the allure of Ogami Island.
(Translated by T&CT and Sam Grieb)
Refreshing smoked octopus
The specialty of Ogami Island is called kakidako. It is a dish made with smoked octopus born around the island. While it is well known throughout all of Miyako Island, few have ever laid eyes on it. The island’s only restaurant and guest house “Opoyu shokudo,” offers a kakidako-don for 800 yen. The marquee dish is smoked octopus and sautéed onions served over rice. It has a unique and refreshing flavor and texture. Restaurant owner Takagi Oura, 64, boasts, “It takes skill to popery smoke the octopus. The result is a flavor we pride ourselves on that can’t be had anywhere else.”
The island’s first lifestyle magazine, published January 28, “Upushi,” has a kakidako recipe printed inside. The first step is to rub the octopus with salt to remove the slipperiness. Then remove the organs, and smoke for half a day to a full day. From the magazine: “While it’s called ‘smoking,’ if there is too much smoke, it will be no good. It is important to dry the octopus slowly with the heat from the coals.” The octopus will shrink to anywhere from half to 1/3 of its original size. Since it already has the nuance of being a “teether,” kakidako is given to infants who are just beginning to grow teeth.
For generations, each family has kept octopus pots in the water just off the island’s coast. Oura himself goes out to catch octopus after business quiets down at the restaurant. Behind the restaurant, he has a constructed a separate building for smoking kakidako. Oura stresses, “If you burn the octopus, it will get bitter. You have to keep it in for a long time, without burning it. Experience is everything.” Smiling, he added, “Also, since this is the marquee menu item, we have to make sure we don’t run out.”
Coral bleaching has been spreading near Miyako Island, and 30 percent of the coral reef has died, according to an announcement by the Ministry of the Environment on February 28.
The average coral mortality rate has increased to 68 percent in the coral reef community located north of Ikema-jima Island.
This is the first time the mortality rate has exceeded 60 percent since the ministry began conducting full-scale surveys in the area in 2004. It was zero percent in previous year. (“It is a major blow to the dominant precious coral reef in the country,” said the person in charge of the Biodiversity Center, Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of the Environment, pointing out the reason for coral death being long continuing high water temperatures last year.
The ministry confirmed the reef also had “white syndrome,” an infectious disease that makes coral look whitish.
On February 24, at a park near the Naha District Court, the Free Hiroji Yamashiro and Other Protestors Now mass gathering was held to demand the prompt release of chairman of the Okinawa Peace Movement Center Hiroji Yamashiro and other detainees. Yamashiro’s long-term confinement has now stretched on for more than four months following his arrest and indictment on suspicion of obstructing official business by force, acting with the protest movement against constructing a new base in Henoko, Nago.
The words “We demand that the court fulfill its duty as a stronghold of human rights and democracy by promptly releasing Hiroji Yamashiro and the others,” as part of a resolution pointing out the injustice of Yamashiro’s arrest and long-term detention, were spoken to the crowd and met with applause.
After this, organizing representatives of the gathering headed to Naha District Court to submit the written resolution. However, they did not come to terms with the court. Participants in the gathering surged the grounds of the court, and repeated chants in unison in front of the entryway to the courthouse.
Participants afterward followed Kokusai Dori (International Street) from the park to the public square, where they marched and called out: “Stop unjust oppression,” “Release these three immediately,” and other such slogans.
The three organizers of this gathering were a group calling for the prompt release of Hiroji Yamashiro and other detainees, the prefectural citizen’s organization opposing the relocation of U.S. bases within Okinawa, and a group supporting detainees who have been politically oppressed through unjust arrest.
The Fourth Yambaru Higashi Village Adventure Rally was held at Tsutsuji Park in Higashi Villager’s Forest. Three hundred and nineteen people from Okinawa and elsewhere took part in activities including kayaking, mountain biking, and trekking in the mountains of Higashi Village. Teaming up with friends and families, they worked hard to complete all the activities.
Stopping by check points in various parts of the village, those who participated in the event, got stamps on their event “Passport.” Information on routes and checkpoints for biking and kayaking was announced on the day of the competition.
In the Challenge Division where participants competed for the fastest speed across distances ranging from 45 to 55 kilometers, 13 teams with 35 people took part. In the Friendship Division where people competed through quizzes and attractions in the range of 10 to 15 kilometers, 85 teams made up of 84 people took part.
Four teams finished the course in the Challenge Division. Team Ainary consisting of Masakatsu Miayazato, Yasushi Maea, and Kiyoo Nakaosone captured the victory.
The world’s largest travel information site, Tripadvisor, announced Japan’s best ten beaches on February 23. The Nishihama beach in Hateruma Island, which came second last year, got the top ranking this year. Eight beaches in Okinawa were chosen in the ranking. Yonahamaehama beach in Miyako Island was chosen as the second, and Kozamami beach in Zamami Island was the third best beach.
The Nishihama beach has been in the top ten since 2014. The beach is valued for its clear water in addition to the coral reef and sea turtles. The majority of the visitors to the beach have been Japanese, however there are increasing numbers of visitors from foreign countries such as South Korea, Thailand and Germany in recent years.
In addition to the top three beaches, there was also Hatenohama in Kume Island, which ranked fourth, Aharen beach in Tokashiki village, which was fifth, Kondoi beach in Taketomi Island, sixth, Sunayama beach in Miyako Island, seventh, and Aragusuku coast in Miyako Island, ninth.
In January, a pipe organ in Chatan All Soul’s Church in Yoshihara was overhauled for the first time since its installation. Thousands of parts such as bellows using sheepskin and reeds were all fixed. Organist Nobuko Itosu, who held a recital on the 26th using the organ, which had regained its original sound, said, “The brilliance of the pipe sounds have come back.” She had been preparing for the recital.
The organ in All Soul’s Church has a height of 3.8 meters, a width of 2.7 meters, and a depth of 2 meters. The organ was installed when the church community determined to comfort the spirits of the war dead in Okinawa. It was ordered from Germany in 1996, and it was installed at the end of the same year.
As it was a time for large-scale renewal of the church, the church decided to repair the organ and raised funds mainly from the church community just like when setting it up.
Technician from Bosch Company in Germany York Peterite, who was responsible for the installation, returned to Okinawa. He worked with Ikuo Nakai, who is a pipe organ meister from Hiroshima and has regularly tuned the organ, for two weeks from the middle of January.
They took out all parts from the inside, from pipes to valves to springs. They repaired, exchanged, and reinstalled the parts.
According to Nakai, a pipe organ can be used for about 200 years if maintenance is continued. The oldest is an organ from the 15th century in Switzerland. Pieterite said, “I noticed that this organ had been used with care. The organ feels comfortable to play. I hope they enjoy playing it.”
The first concert after the repair is scheduled for “Monastery Mass” which takes about 45 minutes to play a piece by French composer Cooperan.
Itosu said, “Although Okinawa has not regained peace in 72 years after the war, I want to confirm that we will not lose sight of the light even in the darkness and proceed with hope.”
Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida met with Governor Takeshi Onaga on the morning of February 26 at the prefectural government office.
The governor submitted to the foreign minister a request containing 10 items, including seeking relocation of the U.S. Futenma base out of the prefecture and closure of base operations, revision of the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), and a resolution of the Senkaku issue.
The governor criticized the government, saying, “It is regrettable that the two leaders reaffirmed at the Japan-U.S. summit meeting held on February 10 that the relocation to Henoko is the only solution to avoid the continued use of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.”
He said, “If the governments of Japan and the United States adhere to the policy that Henoko is the only solution, it will lead to future trouble for Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements.”
At the beginning of the meeting between the governor and the foreign minister, before the door was closed to reporters, Kishida did not refer to the Henoko relocation plan.
Kishida stressed the government’s efforts to reduce the base burden on Okinawa. According to the foreign minister, the Japanese and U.S. governments have signed a supplementary agreement of the Japan-U.S. Status Agreement to clarify categories of U.S. military civilians, in response to the rape and murder of an Okinawan woman by the U.S. military civilian in April last year.
This was the third meeting between Governor Onaga and Foreign Minister Kishida since September 2016.
Webcam(Kokusai Street)
