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Former Prime Minister Hatoyama encourages sit-in protesters in front of Camp Schwab

Former Prime Minister Hatoyama encourages sit-in protesters in front of Camp Schwab

May 7, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On the morning of May 7, former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama visited the sit-in-protest site in front of the gate of Camp Schwab at Henoko in Nago. He encouraged citizens staging a protest against the construction of a new U.S. base, which is part of plans to relocate the U.S. Marine Corp Air Station Futenma in Ginowan.

About 150 protesters raised their fists, shouting, “remove concrete blocks at once.” Concrete blocks used for initial surveying...

 

Naha wins Naha Dragon Boat Festival’s official race for first time in three years

Naha wins Naha Dragon Boat Festival’s official race for first time in three years

May 5, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On May 5, the last day of the 42nd Naha Dragon Boat Festival, Naha’s team won the official race for the first time in three years. Many spectators gathered at the festival and cheered for the racers.

Teams from Tomari, Kume and Naha competed in the official...

Genichiro Takahashi emphasizes importance of Okinawan view of the constitution

Genichiro Takahashi emphasizes importance of Okinawan view of the constitution

May 4, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On May 3, at the Naha Civic Hall, the Okinawa Constitution Promotion Council, the Okinawa Human Rights Association, and the Okinawa branch of the Japan Scientists’ Association jointly held the 2016 Constitution Lecture Event in honor of Japan’s Constitution Day....

Okinawa Defense Bureau begins float removal around Henoko

Okinawa Defense Bureau begins float removal around Henoko

May 1, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

At 7:20 a.m. on April 30, the Okinawa Defense Bureau began the process of removing the floats and oil fence that had been put up to demarcate the off-limits zone in the bay off the coast of Henoko. The off-limits zone was established to facilitate the construction...

Okinawa art troupe performs Ryubu at Hue festival in Vietnam

Okinawa art troupe performs Ryubu at Hue festival in Vietnam

May 1, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Naoki Isa in Hue, Vietnam

On the evening of April 29, Hue festival 2016 opened in Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam. The Okinawan traditional dance troupe led by performing artist Hisae Takamine appeared on the stage at the opening ceremony held in front...

Ocean Expo and Shurijo Castle Parks’ attendance reach record high of over 7.28 million visitors

April 30, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo
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Smallest cicada found in unexpected area

Smallest cicada found in unexpected area

April 27, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

The smallest cicada in Japan, iwasaki kusazemi, was found buzzing on Yagaji Island in Nago City on April 22. Iwasaki kusazemi is a type of cicada, measuring about 1.5-2cm. The cicadas start buzzing around March or April every year.

The cicada was previously...

National treasure from Ryukyu Kingdom era displayed

National treasure from Ryukyu Kingdom era displayed

April 29, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Naha City Museum of History started displaying a national treasure from the Ryukyu Kingdom era, called “Tamamookanmuri (crown jeweled with balls),” on April 29. During the Ryukyu Kingdom era, kings wore the crown for ceremonies. The crown was displayed...

Rally decries discrimination against Okinawans

Rally decries discrimination against Okinawans

April 29 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On April 28, a protest rally was held in the public square in front of the Okinawa Prefectural Government Office in Naha. When the San Francisco Peace Treaty came into force on April 28, 1952, Okinawa fell under the occupation of the U.S. military administration....

Mayor Sakima of Ginowan discusses Futenma Air Station’s return with Senator McCain

Mayor Sakima of Ginowan discusses Futenma Air Station’s return with Senator McCain

April 29, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

On April 27, during Mayor of Ginowan City Atsushi Sakima’s visit to the United States, he had successive discussions with the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) chairman John McCain (R-AZ) and SASC member Mazie Hirono (D-HI) on Capitol Hill. Mayor Sakima pointed...

Editorial: Critics of “indigenous people” designation must recognize history of annexation and oppression

April 29, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Seiji Kihara has said that he wants to urge the United Nations to amend and effectively withdraw a recommendation that describes Okinawans as an indigenous people and encouraged the Japanese government to protect Okinawan...