Wednesday
October 16,2019

Ryukyu Shimpo – Okinawa, Japanese newspaper, local news

Now operational: Monorail extension into Urasoe adds four new stations

October 1, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Okinawa Urban Monorail, also known as Yui Rail, expanded its existing line 4.1km into Urasoe City. Service to the extended line began on September 29. Four new stations service the extended zone: Tedako-Uranishi, Urasoe-Maeda, Kyōzuka and Ishimine, which opened...

U.S. military still using land after its return; 342 unused bullets, field rations waste, and other garbage found on former NTA land

September 30, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

(Kunigami) On September 28, 342 unused U.S. military bullets and a large quantity of field ration packaging and other garbage were discovered near the location of the former LZ-1 helipad on returned land that used to be part of the U.S. military’s Northern...

Seven years after the deployment of MV-22 Ospreys to MCAS Futenma, night flights outside the agreed upon times increasing

October 1, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

It has been seven years since the MV-22 vertical-takeoff-and-landing-capable (VTOL) transport aircraft was deployed to MCAS Futenma in Ginowan. As part of measures taken to reduce noise pollution from aircraft (the noise pollution prevention agreement), flights...

Japanese Should Stop Calling DRPK “Kita-Chosen”

Satoko Oka Norimatsu, Editor, The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus

This summer, I went to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or in Japanese, Chosen Minshushugi Jinmin Kyowakoku (in short, “Chosen”), with three of my girlfriends.

Western media propagates this country...

U.S. military denies Okinawa’s request to enter military base for surveying, delaying highway construction

September 26, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
Saki Yoshida

Part of the work on Prefectural Route 24 Bypass, which is Okinawa is constructing to connect Chatan and Okinawa City, is being suspended as Okinawa has not received permission from the U.S. military for the work.

Part of the planned...

All 14 panels of the Marukis’ Pictures of the Battle of Okinawa exhibited at Sakima Museum

September 27, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

On September 25 an exhibition of all 14 panels of the Pictures of the Battle of Okinawa (Okinawasen no Zu) by the husband and wife artists, the late Iri and Shun Maruki, opened at the Sakima Art Museum (Director Michio Sakima).

This exhibit commemorates...

Okinawa selected as top port of call at cruise forum, winning the award for the second time since 2017

September 19, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

The “2019 Asia Cruise Forum Jeju,” an annual forum meant to stimulate the Asian cruise market, took place from August 28-30 on Jeju Island, Korea, where Okinawa was selected as the top port of call in Asia.

The number of ports, Okinawa’s nature...

Kitadaito residents get relief as food items finally reach island

September 26, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
Junko Uechi

Kitadaito—The Daito, a passenger-cargo ship connecting Kitadaito island to Naha, resumed operations on September 25.

Its operation was suspended on September 11, due to stormy conditions and a typhoon passing by.

Many flights...

Japanese Must Learn the History of Forced Labour

Satoko Oka Norimatsu, Editor, The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus

I am writing this in Hiroshima on August 6, on the 74th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city.

For the last 13 years, I have participated in an annual peace study tour for U.S. and Japanese university students...

After 69 years of marriage, Tomi and Yukichi finally get the wedding they were denied by parents’ opposition

September 21, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
Yo Kakazu

(Nanjo) Clothed in a wedding dress, Tomi said, “at last.” On August 30, Tomi, 87, and Yukichi, 86, finally celebrated their matrimony as bride and groom after 69 years of marriage. At the time of their marriage, they were unable to celebrate...