February 28, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
Commemorating this week’s designation of Kerama Islands as a national park, a symposium was held at Ryukyu Shimpo Hall in Izumizaki district of Naha on February 27. A keynote lecture and panel discussion focused on co-ordinating the effort to promote Kerama worldwide. Speakers affirmed the need to balance protection and use of the islands. Tokashiki Village and Zamami Village resolved to engage together in the tourism promotion by creating “Kerama...
February 28, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
Okinawa has had the highest rate of accidents causing injury or death involving drunk drivers in Japan for 24 consecutive years.
The Okinawa Prefectural Police announced the statistics on February 27.
The figures showed Okinawa has the highest number...
March 2, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
At around 12:30 p.m. March 2, white smoke rose from the right engine of an MV-22 Osprey aircraft after it landed at Kadena Air Base. This vertical take-off and landing transport aircraft belongs to U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station. A witness speculated that...
February 23, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On February 17, a humpback whale swam with dozens of dolphins in the sea off the western area of Ishigaki Island. Diving shop Ohana owner Yuki Fujii took photographs of them.
According to Fujii, about 10-meter long whale swam slowly and comfortably beside...
February 26, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
The Jitchaku Lion Dance Preservation Society celebrated its 40th anniversary at a community center in Urasoe City on February 23. This shishi-mai lion dance marked the 40th anniversary of it being designated as a National Important Intangible Folk-Cultural...
February 21, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
Hong Kong Airlines will increase its round-trip flights from Hong Kong to Naha from mid-March. It will operate two round-trip flights a day. The company is aiming to expand its business by attracting tourists not only from Hong Kong but also from China and Southeast...
February 22, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
The Okinawa Hands-On NPO has won the Grand Prix and Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award of the 7th Child-Support Program for the future sponsored by the Sumitomo Life Insurance Company. This Okinawa City-based NPO works to convey...
February 21, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On February 20, the Okinawa Prefectural Government announced the number of tourists who came to Okinawa in January 2014. The number was 495,100, a new monthly record. This represents a 15.2 percent increase over the same period the previous year. The number of...
February 23, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On February 14, Vibe Inc., an affiliate company of Bandai Namco Holdings, announced that it will co-develop an electric-propulsion ship with Kuniken Ltd., and the Shin-Itoman Ship Yard Co. The companies plan to complete building the ship this October. They aim...
February 22, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
The “lunch break peace march” commemorated 30 years on February 21. This has been held by a citizen group every Friday to call for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the promotion of peace. On this day, they marched around the Okinawa Prefectural Office...
February 22, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On February 21, Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine sent a letter to 29 international intellectuals who released a statement that opposes moving U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to the Henoko district in Nago. These intellectuals include filmmaker Oliver Stone.
Inamine...
