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Revised ordinance targets to impose penalty for kite flying and laser irradiation near U.S. military base

October 31, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

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...

 

One-in-200,000 black rice paper butterfly discovered in southern part of Okinawa Island

One-in-200,000 black rice paper butterfly discovered in southern part of Okinawa Island

November 3, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

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...

Taco rice vs. tacos

Taco rice vs. tacos

November 3, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

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...

Ministry of Environment says disclosure of Yambaru world heritage documents would damage relationship of trust with US military

November 2, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

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...

Japan wins the Men’s Team Kata at the Karate World Championships

October 31, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

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...

Prefectural Assembly adopts resolution of protest against discriminatory remarks by riot police

Prefectural Assembly adopts resolution of protest against discriminatory remarks by riot police

October 28, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

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...

Uchinanchu Festival Closing Ceremony saw 15,395 enthusiastically carry on Okinawa’s spirit

Uchinanchu Festival Closing Ceremony saw 15,395 enthusiastically carry on Okinawa’s spirit

October 31, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

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,...

Kiku Nakayama and Sayuri Yoshinaga receive Towa Futurist Awards

Kiku Nakayama and Sayuri Yoshinaga receive Towa Futurist Awards

October 28, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

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...

Japan asks Supreme Court to dismiss Okinawa’s appeal against ruling made by Fukuoka High Court on Henoko lawsuit

Japan asks Supreme Court to dismiss Okinawa’s appeal against ruling made by Fukuoka High Court on Henoko lawsuit

October 28, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

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...

Dugong not seen since 2015, possibly due to impact of Oura Bay construction

Dugong not seen since 2015, possibly due to impact of Oura Bay construction

October 27, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

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...

13,587 people attend the Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival from around the world

13,587 people attend the Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival from around the world

October 28, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

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...