Uruma City, Okinawa—62 years ago on June 30, a U.S. military jet crashed into a residential area and the Miyamori Elementary School in Ishikawa, Uruma City (former Ishikawa City), killing 18 children. On its anniversary, the Miyamori Elementary School Children’s Association held a memorial assembly. Students who attended the memorial offered prayers and flowers to the Nakayoshi Jizo statue engraved with the names of the deceased children.
About 150 fifth and sixth graders attended the memorial assembly. Afterward, the sixth-grade students took turns ringing the Peace Bell in memory of the children who lost their lives in the crash and renewed their pledge for peace. Hikaru Ikehara, 12, who rang the bell first, said, “Now that I understand the incident better, I’m more afraid than when I was in first grade. I hope it doesn’t happen again.”
Seibu Lions pitcher Kaima Taira (21, Yaeyama Commercial and Technical High School), pitched his 39th consecutive shutout appearance July 1 against the SoftBank Hawks in their 15th matchup of the season at the Fukuoka PayPay Dome, breaking a 15-year-old record. In his previous appearance on June 28, also against the Hawks, he tied the record at 38 appearances set by the Hanshin Tigers’ Kyuji Fujikawa in 2006.
Taira’s string of shutout appearances has been going since the start of the season. On June 13 he broke a record for both the Central and Pacific leagues set in 1950, for the most shutout games to start a season with 32, which is now up to 39 and counting.
On July 3, Taira took the mound in the bottom of the 9th to protect a 1-0 lead against the Hawks. He struck out the leadoff batter on three straight pitches before allowing two base hits and bringing up a pinch hitter. However, after getting some help from his fielders to throw out a runner at third, the final out came on a pop-fly foul to left, and Taira secured the record. In the post-game hero interview, he said, “It was in danger, but ended well. I always take the mound hoping that I come leave without allowing any runs. I am very happy.”
Taira is 21, and comes from Ishigaki. He was the Lions’ fourth pick in the 2017 draft, and was called up the following year. In July last year he was the sixth Japanese pitcher to break the 160 kph mark. On June 16 he was also selected to represent Japan in the Olympics on their baseball team. He wears number 61.
Based on the Act on the Conservation of Endangered Species, the Ministry of the Environment has granted Urgent Endangered Species Designation, for a period of three years starting on July 1, to a total of three newly-discovered species including a centipede and cockroaches that inhabit Okinawa, and has announced regulations on the capture, wounding, and transport of these species. Frequent transactions involving these species on online auctions and the like will be urgently addressed.
The species designated are Scolopendra alcyona, Eucorydia donanensis, and Eucorydia miyakoensis. Scolopendra alcyona is Japan’s largest centipede and inhabits mountain streams and the like in Okinawa Island’s northern part, Kume Island, Iriomote Island, Ishigaki Island, Tokashiki Island, and Taiwan. This new species was verified in a paper in 2020. Heretofore there were only two known examples of centipedes, worldwide, which are ecologically similar to semi-aquatic centipedes that live on land and in the water.
The two species of cockroaches feed on leaf mold and the like in forested areas. Eucorydia donanensis only lives on Yonaguni Island, and was stated as being a new species in a paper in 2020. The males of the species have a total length of 12.5-14.5 millimeters, a purple abdomen, and a yellowish red band-shaped pattern.
Eucorydia miyakoensis inhabits a portion of Miyako Island, and the males of the species have a total length of 12.5-13.0 millimeters and are characterized by an orange band. The species was just stated as being a new species in a paper made public in June this year.
The Ministry of the Environment has determined that there is a risk that the capture and selling of the three species to enthusiasts in Japan and abroad could significantly impede the survival of these species. Heretofore only five species, including Bubo bubo (the Eurasian eagle-owl), Rhagophthalmus ohbai (a type of firefly), and Luciola owadai (another type of firefly) have been granted Urgent Endangered Species Designation.
(English translation by T&CT and Erin Jones)
Eucorydia donanensis (photograph
Eucorydia miyakoensis (photograph courtesy of Shizuma Yanagisawa)
Scolopendra alcyona head (photograph courtesy of Ryukyu University Museum)
(Yomitan) On June 19, the NPO Okinawa Han no Hi Association held a memorial at the “Han no Hi” monument in Senaha, Yomitan in honor of the “comfort women” and others forced to serve the military in various capacities who the Japanese military forcibly mobilized from the Korean Peninsula during the Battle of Okinawa. The monument was built in 2006, and this was the 15th memorial to be held there. Those attending learned about the history and renewed their desire to seek peace. Sculptor Minoru Kinjo, 82, of Yomitan, who sculpted the bronze statue on the monument, also introduced new sculptures he had made of “comfort women.” Han no Hi Association representative Eiko Asato, 72, spoke, saying, “Japan was the one that forced people into these inhumane roles of ‘comfort woman’ and ‘military servant.’ Okinawans, as both victims and victimizers, must take a hard look at our own responsibility.”
The Okinawa Prefectural Assembly (Noboru Akamine, speaker) unanimously passed a resolution and opinion statement June 28 at their regular session in protest after a U.S. military helicopter made an emergency landing on Tsuken Island in Uruma on June 2, demanding a halt to all U.S. military flights and training exercises in the airspace over private property. The protest resolution was addressed to the U.S. to people such as the U.S. ambassador in Japan, and the opinion statement was addressed to Japan to recipients such as the Japanese prime minister.
In the resolution and statement, they raised issues such as the fact that the emergency landing took place only 120 meters from a civilian’s house, and that crashes and emergency landings of aircraft that belong to MCAS Futenma are happening repeatedly. Additionally, they stated they were “firmly protesting in the interest of protecting citizens’ lives and property.” Specifically, they demanded 1. A detailed investigation of the cause, and to make the results of the investigation public; 2. Halt all U.S. military flights and training exercises in the airspace over private property; 3. Improve the U.S. military aircraft servicing and inspection system; 4. Enforce a strict restriction against nighttime flight training; and 5. Fundamentally revise the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement.
Tokyo—On June 23, Okinawa Memorial Day, local assembly members across Japan submitted a request to the government to refrain from using collected soil that was recently found to be containing human remains from the Battle of Okinawa. The request was sent to several addressees including the Ministry of Defense and opposed the construction of the new base in Okinawa’s Henoko, Nago City, as well as the use of said soil in its construction. The lawmakers who authored the request explained, “Using [soil containing] the remains of the war dead in the construction of a military base would be unforgivable.”
The request has 248 endorsements from current and former lawmakers and was sent to the Prime Minister, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare, the Speakers of the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives, and each political party.
In a press conference held after the request was submitted, Yasuko Igarashi, Tokyo’s Itabashi Ward Council Member, wondered, “How would the government justify [the soil use] to each of the deceased?” She added, “I don’t want the [government] conduct to be inhumane.”
A crowd-funding campaign to raise money to repair the facilities around Shiraume Memorial Tower in Maezato, Itoman, hit its fundraising goal of 1.88-million-yen June 23. The campaign began on June 15, meaning the goal was reached in just nine days.
Chizu Inoue, 52, representing the Wakaumekai, the group planning the repairs and maintenance on the tower, thanked those who donated, saying, “I was happy to give the news to Kiku Nakayama from the Shiraume Alumni Association. This was a display of everyone’s good will and enthusiasm.”
Donations can be made at the crowd-funding site YUIMA. The campaign will remain open even after reaching the goal, with additional donations to be set aside for things like a picture book depicting the experiences of the Shiraume Student Corps.
The memorial service for all war fallen (hosted by the Okinawa prefectural government, prefectural assembly) was held on June 23 at Peace Memorial Park in Mabuni, Itoman City, which was a battlefield during the late stages of the Battle of Okinawa. During the ceremony, participants reminisced about the more than 200,000 people who lost their lives in the Battle of Okinawa and prayed for lasting peace. At the noon time signal, participants offered a silent prayer for the war fallen. Governor Denny Tamaki vowed, in his peace declaration, “We will properly pass on the war experiences and lessons to the next generation in response to the desires of all those who have experienced war, so as to never repeat such a tragedy.” Last year, amidst the coronavirus crisis, the number of invited participants was 161 people, and this year the number was further winnowed down to 30 people.
Memorial ceremonies are held at various locations throughout Okinawa, marking 76 years since the Battle of Okinawa ended, to strengthen the feeling of resolve in praying for peace without forgetting the horrors of war.
In his peace declaration, Governor Tamaki pointed out that even though next year will mark 50 years since the return of Okinawa to Japanese sovereignty, U.S. military bases are still concentrated on Okinawa, and U.S. military aircraft noise, environmental problems, and U.S. military-related incidents and accidents are ongoing. He stated, “We request efforts that attempt to reduce the evident overlarge military base burden on Okinawa”, demanding that the Japanese and U.S. governments not be particular about Henoko, Nago City being the relocation site of Futenma Air Station.
Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Okinawa prefectural government did not invite Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and other important persons from the national government this year. Prime Minister Suga said, in a video message, “It is determined that step-by-step, results will definitely be achieved in the reduction of the military base burden on Okinawa,” and made no reference to relocation problems.
Chairman Tokumasa Miyagi of the Okinawa Association of Bereaved Families mentioned that he was heartbroken when he was the only person that showed up for an Association meeting due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, and stated his determination that “We will continue taking action under the strong conviction that ‘bereaved families of the war fallen’ will never be created again.”
Second-year student Miharu Uehara of Miyakojima Municipal Nishibe Junior High School recited the peace poem Miruku-yu no Uta, which carries the sentiment for creating a peaceful world together.
Starting in the early morning, many people brought their families to visit the Cornerstone of Peace, upon which the names of 241,632 domestic and foreign war fallen are engraved. The desire for peace remained strong as the raindrops caressed the names of the deceased upon the Cornerstone of Peace.
Okinawa – Lotus flowers are in bloom at the Southeast Botanical Gardens in Okinawa City, announcing the arrival of summer to visitors. According to staff at the gardens, there are mainly two varieties of lotus, including shokkoren, at Okinawa’s largest lotus pond. About 40% of the flowers are in bloom now, and the blossoms will be at their peak until late August.
The botanical gardens have adjusted their weekend and holiday operating hours to open at 7 a.m. to match the time that lotus flowers bloom. The lotus flowers can be seen in the Water Garden.
The 2021 Lotus and Water Lily Event is currently going on at the gardens. In addition to a photo contest, there is also a program that allows visitors to enjoy the flowers from a carriage pulled by a Yonaguni horse. The event continues through August 29. Inquiries can be directed to the Southeast Botanical Gardens by phone at 098（939）2555.
Tokyo – Minister of state for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs Taro Kono took part in a COVID-19 workplace inoculation program for government employees in Tokyo June 21, the first day of the program. Kono wore a Kariyushi shirt with an island banana pattern named, “Island banana paradise,” which won the grand prize in a Kariyushi design contest hosted by the cabinet office last year. He touted the shirt, saying, “The feel of the shirt and the design are both good.”
Kono met with reporters after receiving the vaccine, and called for people to get vaccinated, saying, “Even considering the side effects, it is an extremely effective vaccine. I want to get shots in as many arms as possible.”
When getting the vaccine, Kono wore a mask that had “VACCINATED” printed on it in addition to the Kariyushi shirt. He explained his outfit choice for the day, saying with satisfaction, “I wanted something with easy access to my arm for getting the shot. I think the shirt might be a little loud, but the feel of the shirt and the design are both good.”
According to a representative from the cabinet office, the Kariyushi shirt Kono wore was custom-made by the Okinawa Clothing Manufacturing Guild (Kariyushi Okinawa). The guild is looking into making the shirt available for purchase for the general public in the future.
Engraving work to add the names of individuals killed in action to the Cornerstone of Peace has begun for this year. The Cornerstone of Peace has the names of people sacrificed in battles, like the Battle of Okinawa, engraved on it. On June 15, the lettering work was shared with the press at the Nanjo City workshop of the Stone Carvers’ Union of Okinawa. Forty-one names were engraved in stone.
Among the 41 names, 38 are Okinawans, while three individuals are from other parts of Jap
an. Two duplicate names were discovered and removed, leaving a total of 241,632 names. The newly added Okinawans included people from Naha, Motobu, and Taketomi. From the rest of Japan, two individuals from Tokyo were added, and one person from Nagasaki. The names include eleven children who were under six years old.
Junko Henzan is head of the peace promotion team of the section for women’s empowerment and promotion of peace in the Department of Child Care and Social Welfare. She says that eleven more names were added this year than in 2020, saying “we respond flexibly to all inquiries, so we want people to apply.”
Webcam(Kokusai Street)
