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JSDF aircraft carry heavy equipment over prefectural road for U.S. helipad construction

JSDF aircraft carry heavy equipment over prefectural road for U.S. helipad construction

September 13, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

[Helipad reporting team] On September 13, shortly after 9 a.m., the Okinawa Defense Bureau began transporting heavy equipment using two Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) CH-47 helicopters. The equipment must be transported in order to construct new helicopter landing pads (helipads) in the U.S. military’s Northern Training Area, which spans across Higashi Village and Kunigami Village. As of 11 a.m., observers have spotted the helicopters making three trips...

 

Newly launched Okinawa research society to be advised by former Prime Minister Hatoyama

Newly launched Okinawa research society to be advised by former Prime Minister Hatoyama

September 11, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On September 11, a proposed Okinawa research society of the East Asian Community (EAC) was launched at a symposium held at the University of the Ryukyus. Experts from both within and outside of Okinawa called for the society. It was established as a way to extensively...

Yilan County establishes Naha office to promote cooperation among fishermen

Yilan County establishes Naha office to promote cooperation among fishermen

September 7, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On September 6, Northeastern Taiwan’s Yilan County established an office in Kumoji, Naha City to promote cultural exchange in the fields of sightseeing and business, and among fishermen. According to a person involved in the establishment of the office, this...

War orphan stresses uniqueness of Battle of Okinawa at appeal court demanding apology and compensation from government

War orphan stresses uniqueness of Battle of Okinawa at appeal court demanding apology and compensation from government

September 7, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On September 6, at the Naha branch of the Fukuoka High Court, the first argument for an appeal trial in which plaintiffs are demanding an apology and compensation from the government to be granted to Battle of Okinawa war victims was held.

The government’s...

Request to survey Battle of Okinawa remains in Camp Schwab sent to US embassy

September 6, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

Takamatsu Gushiken, a representative of the volunteer group that collects remains from the Battle of Okinawa, Gamafuya, has requested permission to conduct a survey and collect the remains at the Ourasaki Internment Camp burial site in Camp Schwab, the U.S....

Play about fourth-generation Okinawan in Hawaii released

Play about fourth-generation Okinawan in Hawaii released

September 5, 2016 Hanae Gushiken Higa Correspondent of Ryukyu Shimpo

From August 25 to October 2, a play titled “UchinaAloha” by Okinawan playwright Lee Tonouchi will be performed at Kumu Kahua Theater in Honolulu.

According to Tonouchi’s description of the play, the protagonist...

US veterans call for stopping new base construction in Okinawa

US veterans call for stopping new base construction in Okinawa

September 9, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On September 8, six members of Veterans for Peace (VFP), a peace organization made up of military veterans, who are visiting Okinawa held a press conference at the Okinawa Prefectural Office. The veterans said that visiting Okinawa brought home to them the fact...

Junior high school students clean up Okinawa battle site for preservation

Junior high school students clean up Okinawa battle site for preservation

September 2, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

A non-profit organization called shizen taiken gakko (Nature Experience School) Okinawa branch in Yaese Town held a clean-up event at a battle site in Iriyuji-gama cave in Gushikami, Yaese Town, on August 21. Twenty-seven participants from Gushikami Junior...

Kumiodori performance at Shichigachi mura odori in Henoko

Kumiodori performance at Shichigachi mura odori in Henoko

August 29, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

For three days from the 16th to 19th of August, Shichigachi mura odori was held at Henoko Exchange Plaza in Henoko, Nago City. More than 100 residents performed traditional dances and gave thanks for fertility.
Shichigachi mura udui is held every three years...

At IUCN workshop, Nago mayor calls for support to stop new US base construction in Henoko

At IUCN workshop, Nago mayor calls for support to stop new US base construction in Henoko

September 6, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo Washington correspondent Sakae Toiyama reports from Honolulu

On September 4, Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine presented at a workshop at the sixth International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress. At the workshop, Inamine reported on...

NGO Human Rights Now criticizes Japanese government for blocking protesters in Henoko and Takae

September 2, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

Authorized NPO and human-rights body Human Rights Now issued statement criticizing the Japanese government for violently cracking down non-violent protesters in Okinawa. It came ahead of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) 33rd regular session, which...