At the Cabinet meeting held on October 25, the government decided to partially revise the enforcement ordinance of special provisions within the Japanese aviation law in order to impose a penalty for kite flying and laser shooting toward aircraft near U.S. military bases, as well as civilian airports.
The revised ordinance will be enforced from December 21. Violators will receive a fine of 500,000 yen or less.
While U.S. military operations are excluded from regulations under the Japanese aviation law, law enforcers will crackdown on behaviour that might pose a risk to U.S. military aircraft.
Japan’s aviation law aims to secure the safety of aircraft operation, but the U.S. military’s operations are excluded from these regulations under exceptional provisions based on the Japan-U.S. Status Agreement.
Therefore, U.S. military aircraft are not bound by the limitation on the minimum safe altitude in the aviation law. U.S military aircraft repeat low altitude flights without restriction on the flight area regulated by the aviation law.
The revision, paragraph 2 of Article 99 of the aviation law, which prohibits “acts affecting aviation”, will apply to the U.S. military aircraft. However, it will not regulate the U.S. military’s operation.
A Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transportation official said, “Laser irradiation to U.S. military aircraft became a problem last year, so the revision is necessary to crackdown (on such threats).”
Protesting citizens flew kites and let off balloons when the U.S. military deployed MV-22 Osprey aircraft to U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan. Such actions will be regulated in the future.
A black variety of Japan’s largest butterfly, the rice paper butterfly, has been discovered. The black specimen emerged from a chrysalis being observed by a member of the Fly Butterflies Around Shurijo Castle Association. Even though a black specimen generally only appears once in every 100,000 to 200,000 rice paper butterflies, or once every 20 to 30 years, this association has logged this as the second appearance since 2013. Head of the association Yasuhiro Oshiro said that it is extremely rare for such an appearance to be logged again in such a short period of time.
Hiroko Kinjo, vice-head of the Fly Butterflies Around Shurijo Castle Association, found the chrysalis at a home in Haebaru Town and brought it back to her own house to observe it. Kinjo took notice when the butterfly emerged in the early morning on October 14. The butterfly’s wings were predominantly black with white markings near the base of the wings, and some black spotting on white coloring characteristic of a standard rice paper butterfly still remaining. Looking back on the moment, Kinjo said she was truly astonished.
Oshiro said that when the black specimen was discovered in 2013, it was bred with the butterflies with standard coloration. Since then the Fly Butterflies Around Shurijo Castle Association has raised three generations of caterpillars, but no black variety of the butterfly appeared. On this and the last occasion, the black butterfly was female. Oshiro mentioned that the all of the caterpillars resulting from the breeding of the last generation in which the black specimen appeared became ill and died. He says he hopes after three more generations of breeding the association can log another appearance of a black rice paper butterfly.
Which do you prefer, tacos or taco rice? Noise Value Corporation, which specializes in branding of companies and local foods, published its findings regarding whether Okinawans preferred tacos or taco rice on November 2. Those who preferred taco rice were 61.5 percent, while those who preferred tacos were 38.5 percent, declaring taco rice as the winner. Focusing on gender, the researchers found that men preferred taco rice, which is more filling, while women preferred tacos, which is considered as the healthier option.
This survey was conducted to along with the publishing of the driver’s travel guide Uruma is Delicious, which advertises restaurants that specialize in tacos and taco rice as a way of revitalizing Uruma, Okinawa.
The survey was conducted between August and October, via the Internet and on the streets, surveying a total of 403 people. Of the people surveyed, 345 were from the Okinawa main island, 30 from Miyako, 24 from Yaeyama, and four from other islands.
Regardless of the area, most preferred taco rice. Yaeyama in particular had many who preferred taco rice. The researchers also found that younger generations preferred taco rice the most, whereas the number of those who prefer tacos grew as the age of those surveyed increased.
The reasons for people choosing taco rice was “I like rice” and “It originated in Okinawa,” while the reasons for choosing tacos was “I like tortillas” and “It’s like a snack.”
(English translation by T&TC and Chelsea Ashimine)
On November 1, it was learned that the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) has decided not to disclose any documents detailing communications with the U.S. military from 2013 onward regarding the registration of Amami/Ryukyu as a world natural heritage site. The Amami/Ryukyu area that would be registered includes Yambaru National Park, which is adjacent to the U.S. military’s Northern Training Area. In response to an inquiry about the reason for its decision, the MOE listed concerns that disclosure of the documents would damage Japan’s relationship of trust with the United States, and explained that the documents themselves had been prepared on the condition of confidentiality with the U.S. military. The MOE has also not revealed a list specifying the undisclosed documents, nor the number of such documents that exist.
A request for disclosure of the documents was made by Masami Kawamura, representative of the Informed-Public Project (IPP), an investigative organization. IPP points to lack of accountability on the part of the government toward stakeholders (local residents) in its refusal to disclose the documents. The organization plans to request an examination of the Minister of the Environment on the basis of the Administrative Appeal Act.
In response to an inquiry, on November 1, a representative the MOE acknowledged the existence of the documents and stated, “In consideration of the impact on diplomacy and defense, we will not make any disclosure of the documents, including the names thereof.” The representative said that the decision not to disclose the documents was made by the ministry and explained, “The documents for which disclosure was requested were prepared on the condition that they would not be disclosed.”
IPP’s Kawamura criticized the MOE’s decision, saying, “From the perspective of information disclosure, specifying the existence of the documents while concealing the crucial details is problematic.”
Okinawa International University President Eiken Maetsu, who is well-versed in information disclosure law, pointed out, “The Ministry of the Environment has the duty to at least explain in what way disclosure of the documents would impact the relationship of trust with the U.S. military. Either the Ministry of the Environment is overreacting to the request for disclosure, or the documents contain significant matters that would cause considerable problems if they became known.”
Ryo Kiyuna, Arata Kinjo, and Takuya Uemura from Ryueiryu-Ryuhoukai defeated France 5-0 in the championship round of the team Kata to win the first gold medal for Japan since two competitions ago on October 30, the final day of the Karate World Championships held in Linz, Australia. The previous day, Kiyuna also took the gold for the individual Kata, defeating the Spanish representative 5-0 for his second straight championship, taking home two titles in total. From the first match onwards, the Japanese team attempted the “Anan” Kata. After 365 days of disciplined training, Kiyuna, Kinjo, and Uemura performed the demonstration majestically, claiming the top spot in the world.
•The best demonstration:
From Ryo Kiyuna, “We performed the best demonstration on the highest stage. I am much happier about this than my individual medal. We were finally able to take the gold.”
•On their accomplishment:
From Arata Kinjo, “This is a result of all our work up until now. We were able to take the gold due to the many people who supported us.”
•Greater heights:
From Takuya Uemura, “This was the result of practicing every day. Since this gold medal was won by everyone supporting each other, I would like to see us reach even greater heights.”
In the morning on October 28 the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly opened an extraordinary session in response to the riot police at the protest sites for helipad construction in the Northern Training Area using terms such as dojin (aborigines) and shinajin (Sina people, or Chinese persons) to refer to Okinawan protestors. The Assembly conducted votes on a resolution and statement of protest, and these were adopted by majority vote both within the ruling party and within the neutral factions. The LDP of Okinawa stated its opposition to the resolution and statement by suggesting that the protestors on site should exercise self-restraint in terms of their remarks, as well. On October 29 the Prefectural Assembly delivered the resolution and statement to the Okinawa Prefectural Public Safety Commission and the Prefectural Police Department.
The resolution of protest contained the following points: (1.) These remarks crush Okinawans’ pride and dignity underfoot, causing deep wounds that prove difficult to heal. And (2.) police officials need to come to terms with the reality that distrust is spreading and drawing much criticism from both within and outside of Okinawa, due to riot police officers who should be standing at the head of observing the law and protecting citizens’ human rights instead making such remarks.
On October 30, the Closing Ceremony and Grand Finale of the 6th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival were held at Okinawa Cellular Stadium Naha in Naha City, and the festival drew to a close. 15,395 people attended the Closing Ceremony from overseas, other parts of Japan, and Okinawa. People sang and danced together and deepened bonds with their fellow Uchinanchu, and promised to meet again in five years. At the Closing Ceremony, it was announced that October 30, the day that the festival ended, will be set as “World Uchinanchu Day.” It will be a day when Uchinanchu all over the world feel pride in their Uchinanchu identity and celebrate.
The idea to create a “World Uchinanchu Day” was promoted by Andres Higa, a third-generation Uchinanchu from Argentina, and Tadashi Andres Ysa, a third-generation Uchinanchu from Peru. At the Closing Ceremony, Higa and Ysa read a declaration celebrating mutual support, venturing abroad, and other elements of the Uchinanchu spirit, and encouraged everyone to engrave pride in that spirit into the hearts of all Uchinanchu.
Arturo Yara, president of the Okinawa Association of Peru and representative of overseas participants at the festival, pledged to convey Uchinanchu pride to future generations of children and grandchildren. Karina Satomi Matsumoto from Brazil, representative of the future generation, called on the people as a bridge between nations to unite for the sake of peace and human rights. Japan’s Minister of State for Okinawa Affairs, Yosuke Tsuruho, also attended the ceremony and celebrated the holding of the festival.
At the Grand Finale, well-known Okinawan artists such as Kariyushi 58, Diamantes, and Begin took the stage, and the hearts of the international audience became one.
Minami Tamamoto, who served as head of the steering committee for the World Youth Uchinanchu Festival preceding the 6th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival, reported that the festival was successful thanks to partnerships between the Okinawa prefectural government, city, town and village local governments, and youth associations. She announced that those successes will be built upon by the next festival in Peru in two years.
Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga, head of the 6th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival steering committee, spoke about the successes of the festival, including the creation of a World Uchinanchu Day and the fact that the World Youth Uchinanchu Festival was held in Okinawa for the first time. “I want to celebrate that all people who love Okinawa, all Uchinanchu, saw their hearts become one, and I very much hope that everyone feels pride in being Uchinanchu,” said Onaga.
On October 27 in Tokyo, an award ceremony for the Towa Futurists Awards, which recognizes individuals and groups that have consistently engaged in grass-roots peace activities, was held. The award winners are two individuals and one group: Kiku Nakayama, president of Shiraume Alumni and representative of the group “Seishun wo kataru kai,” an actress Sayuri Yoshinaga, who have both recited poems about the atomic bombing, and a museum “Mugonkan” in Nagano, which pays respects to students who died in the war.
Nakayama said, “Uplifted by the award, I will continue to work for the consolidation of military bases, prevention of the new base construction, and the true peace of Okinawa.” Nakayama was recognized for her activities in a volunteer group of former female student “Seishun wo kataru kai.” The group was established in 1999. The group was committed to passing down the experiences of the Battle of Okinawa and to the promotion of peace through delivering lectures. The group ended its activities this March.
Yoshinaga was recognized for her volunteer activities reciting poems about the atomic bombing. She stated that she has made a poem-reading CD about Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which suffered the atomic bombings, Okinawa, which suffered high causalities in the Battle of Okinawa, and Fukushima, which was affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster.
The Okinawa prefectural government recently appealed the Naha branch of the Fukuoka High Court’s ruling that Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga’s cancellation of approval to reclaim land in Henoko, Nago City was “illegal.” The Japanese government submitted written opinions to reject the Okinawa prefectural government’s appeal on October 21. It is extremely rare for the Japanese government to turn in written opinions while the Supreme Court is in the process of determining whether or not it will hold a session on a lawsuit.
The Japanese government submitted two written opinions on Okinawa’s appeal. According to the person involved, both of the written opinions follow what the central government has been claiming, supporting the ruling made by the Naha branch of the Fukuoka High Court.
In an appeal lawsuit, the party with a claim that is being appealed, does not usually turn in documents until the supreme court decides whether or not it will hold a brief session on the case and then requests a written response.
A person involved in the Okinawa prefectural government said, “The Japanese government has submitted documents that the Supreme Court did not demand. It appears that they are really pressed for time.”
On October 25, it was learned that the dugong, a natural monument of Japan, has not been observed in Oura Bay since January 2015. The Okinawa Defense Bureau sunk large concrete blocks into the sea off the coast of Henoko, Nago City around that time, and nature conservation groups point to the impact of the construction work there as the reason dugong have not been observed. The Defense Bureau has currently suspended surveys of marine life, and nature conservation groups are calling on the prefectural government to see that the surveys are resumed immediately.
The information about the dugong was revealed in a document obtained from the Okinawa Defense Bureau by Mariko Abe of the Nature Conservation Society of Japan (NACS-J) and Hideki Yoshikawa of the Save the Dugong Campaign Center via House of Representatives member Seiken Akamine of the Communist Party. The document is titled “Schwab (2014) Marine Life Survey Report”.
According to the report, the Okinawa Defense Bureau conducted aerial surveys on a total of twenty days in January, May, September, and November of 2015. They sighted dugong in the Kayo sea area nine times (a total of nine dugong) and in the sea around Kourijima three times (a total of four dugong). In a survey of the range of the dugong’s habitat conducted in important sea areas, dugong were sighted eight times (a total of eight dugong) in the Kayo sea area. However, no dugong were sighted near Oura Bay in the 2015 survey, despite the fact that dugong were sighted twice near Oura Bay in a follow-up survey in 2014.
Additionally, according to the report, no new signs of dugong feeding were observed north of Cape Henoko after August 2014, when the Okinawa Defense Bureau set up floats and anchors in that area.
Mariko Abe of the NACS-J emphasized that it is very problematic that no survey has been conducted for over six months, since the Okinawa Defense Bureau suspended its surveys in March when the national and prefectural governments came to an out-of-court settlement in litigation over the Henoko construction. The prefectural government is unable to conduct its own surveys in the restricted area, and there are also limits to the quality of and budget for such surveys. “[The prefectural government] should make the Okinawa Defense Bureau resume their surveys immediately,” said Abe.
The opening ceremony of the 6th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival took place at the Okinawa Cellular Stadium in Naha on October 27, kicking off the four-day festival. A total of 13,587 people attended the opening ceremony. The festival lasted until October 30 and featured events promoting traditional Okinawan culture and history. These events were hoped to strengthen the bonds between Uchinanchu at home and abroad. There are approximately 420 thousand Uchinanchu around the world. The objective of the festival was for people to exchange ideas about developing and passing down this Uchinanchu Network, and to promote Okinawan “soft power,” or culture, history, traditional performing arts, etc. The total number of participants from overseas was a record high of 7,297 people, coming from 26 countries and two regions. Including those from within the country, the total number of participants was more than 15,683 people. Representatives of the festival’s executive committee expected the grand total over the four-day event to reach 420 thousand people.
October 30 was declared as the World Uchinanchu Day during the closing ceremony. The slogan of the festival was: “Let the Whole World Move to the Uchina Beat.” This aimed to further develop and pass down the Uchinanchu Network, which was started over a century ago by emigrants. It also aimed to promote Okinawan “soft power” to those at home and abroad.
Hawaii Governor David Ige, the first U.S. governor of Okinawan descent, attended the opening ceremony. He said that Okinawa is his roots and that whether he’s in Hawaii, traveling in the mainland, or is in Naha, he feels proud to be Uchinanchu.
Governor Takeshi Onaga said, “In order for us to develop and pass down a worldwide network, which is a valuable asset, it is crucial for us to understand one another beyond differing generations or viewpoints, strengthen our bonds, reaffirm our identity, and to make our hearts as one as we look into the future.”
(English translation by T&TC and Chelsea Ashimine)
Webcam(Kokusai Street)
