Isao Takahata, the eighty-year-old film director of Studio Ghibli animations, made his appearance in front of the gate of the U.S. Marines’ Camp Schwab on December 6. Takahata has earned critical acclaim for Grave of the Fireflies and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, among many other notable works.
Citizens protesting against a new U.S. military base construction in Henoko welcomed Takahata with a round of applause. Takahata emphasized, “The Japanese people must unite together in opposition.”
The main purpose of Takahata’s visit to Okinawa was to give a guest lecture at Okinawa University. Earlier that day, he had stopped over at the Takae district of Higashi, before visiting the gate for about 20 minutes.
In the rain, he approached the tents with an umbrella in hand. About 50 sit-in protesters welcomed him and encouraged Takahata to give a few words. Although taken back by the sudden request, he agreed. Takahata stated that while Japan has enjoyed the past 70 years of peace, Okinawa has had to bear an inevitable burden. “Today, this issue requires more attention than ever before from us people living in the main islands of Japan,” he said.
After his greeting, the citizens sang Tinsagunu hana as a token of gratitude. Takahata clapped along appreciatively with a smile. Takahata chanted back to the protestors chorusing, “It’s not over until the Abe regime surrenders the new base construction.” Finally, the residents sent him off with an exciting Kachashi performance.
December 14 marked the establishment of a new organization called the “All Okinawa Kaigi” to prevent the construction of a new base in Henoko. The organization is a broad-based coalition encompassing many political parties, citizens’ groups, and business organizations committed to preventing the construction of a new U.S. military base in Henoko, Nago. As the Okinawa prefectural government and the Japanese central government prepare for a showdown in court, the new organization aims to organize all the various groups that have participated in the movement against the Henoko base, and to rouse a new, wide-ranging wave of enthusiasm aimed at preventing the new base construction.
According to organizer estimates, 1,300 people participated in an event commemorating the organization’s establishment at the theater building of the Okinawa Convention Center in Ginowan on the 14th. Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine, All-Okinawa Council co-representative Suzuyo Takazato, and Kanehide Group chairman Morimasa Goya were inaugurated as representatives of the organization. In his speech, Mayor Inamine stated, “This mass movement will be our biggest source of strength.” Takazato said, “As we stand at this new point of departure, let us fight together to protect life and human rights.”
Governor Takeshi Onaga also attended the event. In his speech, he stated, “We will open up new prospects for the future of this struggle. If we provide a model to future generations of what it means to take responsibility for our future, our children and grandchildren will pave the way to a better twenty-first century for Okinawa.”
The new organization maintains the goals set forth in the Okinawa “Kempakusho” statement of removing the MV-22 Osprey vertical takeoff and landing aircraft from Okinawa and preventing the relocation of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma anywhere within Okinawa. It plans to work to prevent the planned construction of a new base in Henoko.
In addition to supporting the continuing protests at Henoko, organizing large-scale rallies, and gathering signatures, the new organization aims to rouse public opinion throughout Japan and the world by sending representatives to rallies and demonstrations nationwide and publishing opinion ads. Decisions within the “All Okinawa Kaigi” will be made by an executive body comprising twenty-two groups, including citizens’ groups like the All-Okinawa Council, labor organizations, and political parties; as well as local organizations from Okinawa’s various cities, towns and villages.
The Ryukyu Forum addressing Okinawa’s present condition and aiming to assign roles in Sino-Japanese cultural exchange opened on December 14 at Beijing Normal University, with Okinawan politicians, scholars, and reporters invited to attend. In his keynote speech titled “Ryukyuan Issues: Harsh Realities Left Over From History,” Tsinghua University professor Liu Jiangyong demonstrated his perception that, “Abe’s policies made use of the issue of the Senkakus and the argument that China is a threat to justify revising the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. Perhaps Abe will make use of these for next year’s House of Councillors’ election as well.” Moreover, he pointed out the importance of Sino-Japanese cultural exchange and stressed that, “We respect and support Okinawa’s right to self-determination,” with the goal of a peaceful East Asia.
Chinese experts in history, international law, and international relations observed that in addition to building peace, Okinawa could fulfill a large role to advance intercultural exchange in the veins of economy, culture, and education. Pursuing efforts to calm down the dispute over the Senkaku Islands in diplomatic and international law purviews was also discussed.
Keiko Itokazu, a member of the House of Councillors, delivered a keynote speech for Okinawa. During the speech she stated that, “Okinawan people are crying out for Japan not to become a military nation. Rather, Okinawa wants to diplomatically contribute to the world.”
During the forum, Okinawa International University professor Masaki Tomochi presented his preliminary calculations of the positive economic effect the U.S. and Japanese Self-Defense Forces withdrawing their bases would have on Okinawa, making the point that the bases should be removed.
Ryukyu Shimpo’s Tsuyoshi Arakaki proposed to hold the next summit conference between Japan, China and Korea in Okinawa, explaining that, “Okinawan people bear the identity of treasuring peace and life, and meet the requirements for providing a space for diplomacy within Asia.”
One year has passed since the U.S. military in Japan revised its ‘liberty policy’, the code of conduct for the U.S. service members and civilian employees in Okinawa, and allowed staying out and drinking off base during off-duty hours.
According to the Okinawa Prefectural Police, 42 U.S. service members were arrested for driving while drunk for the period between December 9, 2014 and December 8, 2015. The figure rose 44.8 percent over the same period the previous year, when 29 service members were arrested.
The Okinawa Prefectural Police takes measures to prevent drunk driving among U.S. service members, including giving lectures on the U.S. bases about Japanese traffic regulations and local transportation conditions. The police also provides information on traffic accidents to the on-base radio station.
In response to the increase of U.S. service members driving while under the influence of alcohol, an official of the Okinawa Prefecture Police commented, “We will continue giving traffic safety education to U.S. service members.”
On December 10, Chuya Shinzato of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) Marine Genomics Unit announced the results of research into the coral genetic information of coral reefs found in the Ryukyu Archipelago. The result shows the limited migration of corals in the ocean through the supply of larvae.
Coral larvae have been known to free float in the ocean and expand a coral’s habitat. However, the new theory proposes a limited coral migration over a long time frame. The results will draw attention to finding new ways for coral reef protection, which has so far been focused on the protection of coral larvae.
A part of this research project has been sponsored by the Okinawa Prefecture Coral Reef Conservation and Restoration Project. And researcher Shinzato held a press conference at the Okinawa Prefectural Government to announce the findings. The results were electronically published in Scientific Reports by the Nature Publishing Group on December 10.
OIST researcher Chuya Shinzato
According to Shinzato, coral larvae were known to free float in the Kuroshio current and expand their habitats. If the number of corals decreases in one area, coral larvae would be carried from other areas by the ocean current and would help to recover and revive the corals in the depleted area.
For this research, a type of coral, Acropora digitifera, was collected from the sea around Okinawa south, central, and north, the Kerama Islands, Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island. OIST researchers analyzed the genome of 155 samples and compared single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which shows individual variations.
The analysis showed the corals’ SNPs corresponded closely to the areas in which they were collected, which could be divided into four groups: the Okinawa Islands, the Kerama Islands, Yaeyema-North and Yaeyama South. Within each coral cluster was a similar genome DNA, indicating rare migration and reproduction from and to another cluster. From this, researcher Shinzato concluded the new theory of a limited migration of coral larvae.
Shinzato pointed out, “It takes a lot of time to recover corals once construction and climate change damage them. It is important to protect not only the coral-rich areas but also the entire area of the Ryukyu Archipelago.”
On December 10, Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga marked his first anniversary since taking office. The Okinawa Prefectural Government (OPG) continues to receive letters from across Japan supporting the governor. In an unusual situation, in which the OPG is fighting the Japanese government in the court over a new U.S. base construction in Henoko, Nago, the OPG has received more than 30,000 letters and postcards since January.
A woman living in Hokkaido sent a piece of cloth bearing a message, “Life itself is our treasure (Nuchi du takara). Hang in there with the spirit of all-Okinawa!” attached with a picture of a dugong which inhabits the sea around Henoko. A woman living in Tokyo sent a Christmas card, saying, “I am impressed with what Governor Onaga said in a court opening session of oral proceedings, which was full of love for Okinawa.” A pupil from Naha sent a picture diary, saying, “I think it is good for us not to have a new base.”
Via fax machine and e-mail, one said, “Why does the OPG oppose the Japanese government’s policy despite accepting subsidies?” The other said, “We need the U.S. military in Okinawa as a deterrent.” The OPG does not calculate how many e-mails they have received. A spokesperson for the OPG said, “We receive a maximum of 60 letters a day. We feel the nationwide support for the governor opposing the Henoko landfill. We really appreciate that.”
On the morning of December 11, eleven members of Veterans for Peace (VFP), an organization made up of U.S. military veterans, joined the sit-in protest in front of the Camp Schwab gate. Citizen protests continue here daily in opposition to the planned relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to Henoko, Nago. In front of the old Camp Schwab gate, the VFP members raised their fists in unison with local protesters and carried banners in English reading, “No New U.S. Military Base on Henoko,” “Close Futenma Air Station,” and “No Helipads at Takae.”
A VFP member being dragged by both arms to the confinement area surrounded by iron fencing and riot police vehicles at 7:24 a.m. on December 11 in Henoko, Nago
Mike Hanes, a former U.S. marine who was deployed during the U.S. invasion of Iraq, didn’t stop his calls for “no new base” even as he was dragged away by the riot police.
The VFP members also joined in the demonstrations and sit-ins in front of the new Camp Schwab gate. Tarak Kauff, a VFP board member, expressed enthusiastic support for the protesters. He drew on his experience of solidarity with movements in Great Britain and South Korea. Kauff said that the opposition movement here at Henoko has international significance and there are people all over the world fighting the same fight. He went to on to say that he will continue fighting together with all of the protesting citizens.
When the VFP members joined the early morning sit-in protests, the riot police exhibited caution, agreeing to remove the Japanese protesters first and the foreign protesters after.
On December 11, at around 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., a total of around twenty construction vehicles entered the grounds of Camp Schwab, including thirteen cement mixer trucks and dump trucks carrying gravel.
No obvious construction work was observed that day at sea in Oura Bay. Four protest boats and thirteen protest canoes took to the sea to protest the construction.
At a November gathering of the prefectural assembly, Governor of Okinawa Takeshi Onaga stated that considering the current circumstances surrounding planned construction of the helipad in Higashi Village, Takae and possible use of U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey there, “I cannot say I accept it.” The major part of the Northern Training Area land is supposed to be returned to Okinawa on the condition that the new helipads are constructed in Takae and used by Osprey.
Up until now, the Onaga administration has gone no further than acknowledging that there are various opinions surrounding impacts of the construction on the natural environment and lives of the local people. However, his administration has maintained the policy of demanding that the Osprey be removed from Okinawa. At a prefectural assembly meeting on December 7, in response to a question by LDP member Kosuke Gushi, Onaga said that if the helipads are built under the premise of Osprey deployment, he will oppose their construction.
Onaga stated that since Osprey deployment continues no matter how much Okinawans demand removal of the aircraft, they are forced to reconsider their relationship of mutual trust with Japan. Furthermore, Onaga stated that Okinawa’s economy is dependent on tourism, and from a tourism perspective the northern part is the most attractive part of Okinawa Island. He said, “When we think about Osprey flying around overhead, and the possibility that yet another new type of U.S. military aircraft could be deployed in the future given the current framework of the [Okinawa-Japan] relationship, it becomes necessary to consider our overall position as a prefecture and the sentiment of those in Ginowan and Nago [where Osprey are currently deployed].”
The U.S. and Japanese governments recently agreed on the return of two small slivers of land totaling 7 hectares, a mere 0.031% of the total 22,370 hectares of Okinawan land being used exclusively for U.S. military facilities. Is this really the “visible progress” Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga claims it to be?
After meeting at the prime minister’s official residence, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy held a press conference where they announced they had agreed to allow partial shared use of the Industrial Corridor area of Camp Zukeran (Camp Foster), as well as the return of approximately four hectares of land on the eastern side of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma, and approximately three hectares of land on the edge of the Makiminato Service Area adjacent to Route 58. Under the agreement, the land will be returned some time during 2017.
By holding a press conference together, the chief cabinet secretary and the U.S. ambassador likely hoped to make a show of their efforts to reduce the burden of bases shouldered by Okinawa. However, the land being returned is a mere 0.8% of MCAS Futenma. The return will not contribute to a reduction in the danger posed by Futenma. The two government representatives can’t avoid accusations that they are exaggerating the progress being made. If they really intend to eliminate the danger posed by Futenma, the base should cease operations within five years and the land should be returned in full.
The return of four hectares of land on the eastern side of Futenma was agreed upon at the U.S.-Japan joint committee meeting in June 1990. The return of three hectares of land on the edge of the Makiminato Service Area bordering Route 58 was also agreed upon years ago, as part of the SACO (Special Action Committee on Okinawa) agreement of 1996. The aim of the agreed return was to widen the highway.
Local governments have long requested the return of these parcels of land in order to ease traffic on major highways and secure access roads. The return has been a pending issue for decades, and should have been solved 20 to 25 years ago. It is only a matter of course that the land is finally being returned.
There is nothing new about the discussion of returning these particular bits of land, so why the sudden announcement? At the press conference, Secretary Suga described the negotiations between Japan and the U.S. and repeatedly stated that “the city of Ginowan has long requested [the return of this land],” emphasizing that he is responding to requests by the Ginowan city government. If his aim was to encourage support of the incumbent in January’s Ginowan mayoral election, it is nothing but the degradation of politics.
Finally, the true aim of the statement of agreement between the Japanese and U.S. governments was to reaffirm that the construction of a new military base in Henoko is “the only solution.” Political negotiations are supposed to be an effort toward solving an issue of contention. Using the word “only” is no different than saying they have no desire to negotiate and refuse to give the issue any further consideration.
After pushing the burden of U.S. bases on Okinawa for 70 years, the Japanese government is now so determined to push forward with the construction of a new base that it has sued the governor of Okinawa in an attempt to approve the construction in his stead. The government then exaggerates the progress represented by the return of mere slivers of land, implying that Okinawa should be grateful. This is precisely the “degeneration of politics” that Governor Takeshi Onaga has described.
Resort hotel Hyakuna Garan Okinawa in Nanjo has received global awards and raised its profile both in Japan and overseas. The hotel received the World Luxury Hotel Award, Hotel of the Year, and Luxury Travel Guide Award in the June to September period. Specialists and customers select excellent hotels from around the world according to site location and customer service quality. The Hyakuna Garan is the only hotel that received the awards in Okinawa.
The hotel was awarded the Asian continent award in the seaside luxury hotel section of the World Luxury Awards for the second year in a row. The Hyakuna Garan was one of the four Japanese hotels among 709 hotels that received the award. Hotel of the Year, which targeted about 2,100 world famous hotels, was given to two hotels from Japan, including the Hyakuna Garan.
The Hyakuna Garan also won the Top 100 Hotel Resorts Worldwide section and Best Small Beach Hotel Worldwide section.
The hotel’s owner received the Luxury Sea View Resort of the Year Japan from the Luxury Travel Guide Award, which is given to tourism-related business operators.
The Hyakuna Garan is a luxury hotel, which opened three and a half years ago. Room rates for the hotel start from 50,000 yen per night. Customers from Europe are on the increase and the occupancy rate is close to 80 percent.
Miki Fuchibe, the owner and general manager, said, “We provide our own original Ryukyu-style hospitality to our customers.”
On December 6, actor Tomiko Taira, known as Tomi Taira, died of respiratory failure caused by blood poisoning. Taira was from Naha.
When she was 13 years old, Taira joined the Kojiro Onaga troupe in Ishigaki. Along with her husband Susumu, she also participated actively in the Tokiwa theater troupe, as well as other troupes. Taira appeared in the movie “Nabbie’s Love” in 1999 and in the television series “Churasan” in 2001, and became popular nationwide.
In 1998, Taira became a recipient of an award for her contributions to Okinawa culture.. She was also designated the intangible cultural asset “Ryukyu Opera” holder by the Okinawa Prefectural Government. And she received the Order of the Rising Sun in 2014.
Webcam(Kokusai Street)
