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Okinawa Karatekaikan, new sacred place for Karate practitioners

Okinawa Karatekaikan, new sacred place for Karate practitioners

March 6, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

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,...

 

Sanshin Day: citizens perform traditional music and dance in front of Henoko gate, as protesters resolve to use the power of culture to stop new US base

Sanshin Day: citizens perform traditional music and dance in front of Henoko gate, as protesters resolve to use the power of culture to stop new US base

March 4, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

Okinawa Henoko New base construction Sanshin Day

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...

Pointing out the contradiction of deploying Ground Self-Defense Forces

Pointing out the contradiction of deploying Ground Self-Defense Forces

February 28, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

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....

Aircraft circle private property in Ginoza despite local appeals against use of nearby helipad

Aircraft circle private property in Ginoza despite local appeals against use of nearby helipad

March 3, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

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...

Ogami Island, just 4 km from Miyako Island, a mysterious place protecting tradition

Ogami Island, just 4 km from Miyako Island, a mysterious place protecting tradition

February 27, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

(Story: Masaki Umeda; Photos: Futoshi Hanashiro, Masatoshi Moromizato)

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...

MIyako Island coral reef dies due to high water temperatures

MIyako Island coral reef dies due to high water temperatures

Marich 3, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

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...

Mass gathering demanding release of Yamashiro and detainees held before Naha District Court

Mass gathering demanding release of Yamashiro and detainees held before Naha District Court

February 24, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

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...

319 participants in Higashi Village Adventure Rally, experiencing nature of Yambaru

319 participants in Higashi Village Adventure Rally, experiencing nature of Yambaru

February 26, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

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...

Okinawa’s Hateruma nishihama beach ranks first among Japanese beaches on Tripadvisor

Okinawa's Hateruma nishihama beach ranks first among Japanese beaches on Tripadvisor

February 24, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

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...

Pipe organ at church in Chatan revives its timbre

Pipe organ at church in Chatan revives its timbre

February 23, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

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...

Governor Onaga warns Foreign Minister pushing through Henoko base will create trouble in the future

Governor Onaga warns Foreign Minister pushing through Henoko base will create trouble in the future

February 26, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo

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...