The Prefectural Assembly has been working to enact an ordinance for sign language. The assembly aims to submit a proposal at a regular meeting next February and plans for an exploratory committee to exchange opinions with concerned groups and make an inspection of advanced regions. On October 20, Tatsunobu Nohara, president of the Okinawa Association of the Deaf, explained the situation for the hard of hearing to members of the committee.
According to Nohara, compared to other countries, sign language is not widely recognized as “language” in Japan. He said, “While multi-ethnic nations tolerate various languages, Japan lacks an affinity for multiple languages.”
The Association’s Administrative Director Tsuyoshi Higa, who received the same education as physically unimpaired people, pointed out that education in Japan does not deepen understanding of disabilities. Higa explained, “History textbooks teach us stories about unimpaired people only. School education is important to establish the basic understanding of disability.”
Textbooks are not the only problem. There is presently no curriculum for teachers newly posted at the Okinawa School for the Deaf to learn sign languages. Therefore, they learn sign language on their own. But at the end of the two years it takes to memorize the sign language, they are likely to be transferred. Therefore, the best-qualified teachers are not able to stay at a school where their skills are needed.
Higa said, “With teachers who do not know sign languages, students’ learning also becomes imperfect. Without academic achievement, students have difficulties to develop social skills. It relates to why there is a poor employment rate for the deaf. “
Nohara said, “Recognizing sign language as language is not enough. It is important to create an environment for deaf people to have a comfortable life without troubling with their disability. As in the way English is taught in regular schools, it is necessary to teach sign language. I hope the ordinance for sign language will become the start of this.”
A sit-in protest against construction of a new U.S. air base to replace U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan marked 500 days on November 18. About 1,000 protesters, including prefectural council members, municipal assembly members, and those in citizen groups gathered in front U.S. Marine Camp Schwab’s gate. They staged a huge sit-in protest for three days. The participants formed groups to sit in front of the three gates of Camp Schwab and along the national highway. As of 9:45 a.m., anti-riot police officers from the Okinawa Prefectural Police and Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department had not shown up in front of the gate. And trucks loaded with construction materials did not enter the base.
Police officers usually remove protesters to allow trucks to enter the base around 7 a.m. Hiroji Yamashiro, the director of the Okinawa Peace Movement Center, called out, “Our struggle is bringing about great success. No anti-riot police officers have shown up.”
He continued, “Finally, over one thousand people have taken part in the sit-in. It is a great achievement.”
The protesters stated the anti-riot police officers could not show up in front of one thousand protesting citizens, and they all danced to celebrate. They continued their sit-in, cautious of trucks after spotting movement among the anti-riot police officers on the base.
Workers employed by the bureau were carrying out work from three spud barges placed in Oura Bay. A drilling rod was installed in the water.
November 19, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo
Sakae Toiyama reports from Washington DC
A delegation comprising members of the All Okinawa Council, led by Kanehide Group president Morimasa Goya, is currently visiting the United States to express Okinawa’s opposition to the construction of a new US military base in Henoko, Nago, as part of the planned relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. On November 17, delegates met with staff at the local offices of California congressional representatives Mike Honda (D) and Barbara Boxer (D), both of whom are actively engaged in human rights issues. The delegates asked that the US government take responsibility as an active player in the Henoko relocation issue. In the evening, the delegates participated in a dialogue-based meeting where they deepened their ties with members of local civic groups.
About 60 participants joined the meeting. The All Okinawa Council delegates showed a video of the sit-in protests at Henoko to provide a visual account of the Okinawan people’s opposition to the new base construction. They also called for cancellation of the construction plan. Participants then discussed ways to support the anti-construction effort. Ideas included strengthening calls for the US media to report on the issue.
Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono delivered a lecture titled “70 years after the war: Yohei Kono speaks about the future of Okinawa and Asia” at the Ryukyu Shimpo Hall, Naha, on November 17. About 460 people listened to his lecture.
At the lecture, Kono asserted that Okinawans’ opposition to construction of a new base at Henoko is clear. He criticized the Abe administration, saying, “No matter how you look at it, in Japan as a democratic state, unilaterally overriding the governor of Okinawa’s revocation [of the landfill permit] is undemocratic and denies local autonomy.”
Kono pointed out that despite the fact some people think the military bases are important for the security of Japan, in the case of a crisis diplomatic efforts are more likely to be effective for softening and resolving the issue than military efforts.
Speaking about the Japan-China Summit Conference scheduled for next year, Kono voiced the wish that it take place in Okinawa. Not because it bears the base burden, he said, but because for some time it has been Okinawa’s role to provide a place for discussions pursuing peace.
After his lecture, during a question and answer session, Kono encouraged the All Okinawa Council, saying, “in order for Okinawans to make the national government accept their demands, it may seem a roundabout approach, but it is important that they show unwavering, unified popular opinion.”
November 13, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo
Hideaki Yoneda reports from Tokashiki
A wild Kerama deer, a government-designated protected species inhabiting the Kerama Islands, was observed swimming in the ocean around 3:00 p.m. on November 2. Masayuki Komine, a staff member at Tokashiki Village Office, took a photograph of the male deer as it crossed from the beach south of Tokashiki port to Cape Gizu-zaki shore road after swimming about 300 meters.
Residents have witnessed the antlered deer on his swim for the past three years. He swims across the sea in the port, and on this occasion crew members and passengers on the Tokashiki ferry were able to enjoy the swimming deer before their departure.
Komine, the successful photographer of the deer, said, “I was able to take a video last year as well. The deer is very good at swimming. He splashes across the sea in about 15 minutes making waves as he goes.” A resident familiar with Kerama deer, their habits and habitats also said, “It’s the breeding season for the deer. He was probably searching for females and swam across the port to avoid passing through the village.”
The deer swims in Tokashiki Port on November 2.
The deer reached the nothern shore on November 2. (All photographs provided by Tokashiki Village Office)
Wild Kerama deer in Tokashiki village were abundant until the early Showa period but numbers declined after they were captured because of the damage they caused to agricultural crops.
There are many Kerama deer in Zamami village, and fishermen around the islands have seen the deer swimming to Tokashiki Island occasionally. A local resident managed to take a photo of one doing this in October 1990. Local residents also witnessed a female deer with fawns in Tokashiki village five years ago. From fall to winter, male deer often come near human dwellings on the island.
On November 10, Tanadui Festival and votive performances with more than 600 years of history, and which are designated as significant intangible folk cultural assets, began at Yumuchion on Taketomi Island. Islanders offered dances and performances, such as kyogen plays, and prayed for the island’s prosperity. Eighty stage and garden performances were given on November 10 and 11.
After 9:30 in the morning of November 10, performances such as impressive martial arts with sticks, drumming, and farming dances called Mamido and Jichu were presented in front of Yumuchion. Jichu expresses the joy of peasants who were given the opportunity to have an audience with the king of the Ryukyu Kingdom after paying their annual poll tax.
Photograph: On November 10, in front of Yumuchion on Taketomi Island, islanders with model horse heads around their waists performed Umanusha, which expresses the motion of riding a horse.
November 14, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo
Wu Li Jun reports from Taipei
On November 13, at the Regent Taipei in Taiwan, Governor Takeshi Onaga hosted an event, “Okinawa Night”, for Taiwanese business leaders and administrative officials who have contributed to Okinawa tourism.
About 140 representatives of leading companies in Taiwan, including Chairman Chiang Pin-kung of The Third Wednesday Club (San San Fe), took part in the event.
The Okinawa Prefectural Government created a festival mood at the venue by putting up posters in prominent positions to promote Okinawa tourism and products and by setting up a display of products.
“We held the event ‘Okinawa Night’ in Taipei in order to strengthen ties between Taiwan and Okinawa. This was the first time for such an event in our overseas markets and we would like to promote further exchanges with Taiwan,” Governor Onaga said in his speech.
Chairman Chiang Pin-kung stated, “Taiwan and Okinawa have close ties. We expect to promote not only tourism with each other but also investments.”
The Okinawan delegation led by Governor Onaga visited the offices of Star Cruises, TransAsia Airways, Peach Aviation, Eva Airways and Mandarin Airlines, which operate lines between Taiwan and Okinawa.
Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga said at a news conference held at 5:30 p.m. on November 17 that the Japanese government suing to override his revocation of a landfill permit to build a new U.S. base in Henoko “reminded us of the forcible expropriation of land for the construction of U.S. bases by bayonet and bulldozers” that was carried out by the U.S. occupation forces. Onaga stated, “We will prove that our side is right in the court.”
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga has repeatedly said at news conferences that “an administrative decision has been made [by former governor Hirokazu Nakaima].” Governor Onaga refuted Suga’s remarks, saying, “The governor has the authority to approve and revoke landfill permits. I have done nothing that allows the government to accuse me of an illegal act because I have revoked the approval of the landfill permit lawfully.”
On November 14, in front of the Camp Schwab gate at Henoko, Nago, about 200 young people, including students of the youth group SEALDs RYUKYU, gathered to protest against construction of a new U.S. base in Henoko and Oura Bay.
The protesters criticized the Japanese government for continuing with the building of the new base in Henoko. The participants made their voices heard and also sang songs in protest against the construction.
The event was held as part of a nationwide campaign against the planned new base. Members of SEALDs also held protests in Tokyo and Nagoya on the same day.
Young people have been leading recent action against the Henoko base throughout Japan.
Ai Tamaki, a 21-year-old student at Meio University, said in her speech, “A new U.S. base when it is built will lead to war and the loss of lives in the world.”
The National Association of Chairmen of Town and Village Assemblies unanimously adopted a special resolution calling for revision of the US-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) at the 59th national convention held on November 11 in Tokyo. It is the first time that a resolution demanding revision of the SOFA has been adopted at the convention.
The town and village assemblies of the eight prefectures in Kyushu proposed this resolution.
The resolution reads: “Okinawa hosts approximately 74 percent of the bases for exclusive use by the U.S. forces in Japan. U.S. military problems including incidents, accidents, aircraft noise, environmental damage, and crimes involving U.S. military personnel and civilian employees of the bases, have persisted for 70 years following the war. The lives of local people are profoundly affected by the presence of U.S. forces.”
The SOFA came into effect in 1960 and has yet to be revised. The national association demanded a drastic revision of the SOFA, stating, “The governments of Japan and the United States have improved operation of the agreement and signed the Supplemental Agreement on the Environment of SOFA, but these changes are still insufficient to protect the people’s lives, property, and rights.”
November 17, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo Sakae Toiyama reports from Washington DC
On November 15, the All Okinawa Council delegation to the United States, led by Kanehide Group president Morimasa Goya, arrived in California. That afternoon, they met with various peace, labor, and other organizations to exchange ideas and opinions, express the Okinawan people’s opposition to the planned construction of a new base in Henoko, Nago as part of the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, and called for an end to the base construction plans. After meeting with the delegates, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) adopted a resolution expressing solidarity with the people of Okinawa in opposition of the Henoko base construction.
The delegation also participated in a forum held by Women for Genuine Security (WGS) and six other US-based civil society organizations. Delegation leader Morimasa Goya, Suzuyo Takazato of Okinawa Women Act Against Military Violence, and Hideki Yoshikawa of the Citizens’ Network for Biodiversity in Okinawa gave presentations and explained the details of Okinawa’s current situation.
Morimasa Goya explained that while when Okinawa was returned to Japan in 1972 after 27 years under U.S. administrative control, income from the U.S. military bases made up 15.5 percent of Okinawa’s gross prefectural income, that percentage has now shrunk to a mere 5.4 percent. He described how now, the U.S. military bases are actually an obstacle to economic development in Okinawa. Suzuyo Takazato discussed the issue of sexual violence against women that has persisted for 70 years since the end of World War II.
Hideki Yoshikawa discussed the fact that Governor Takeshi Onaga has nullified his predecessor’s authorization of the land reclamation permit needed to build the new base in Henoko. He explained that although the U.S. government claims that the Futenma relocation issue is a Japanese domestic issue, it bear responsibility for issuing entrance permits to construction vehicles entering Camp Schwab to prepare for the base construction. He emphasized that the United States is an active player in this issue, and asked U.S. citizens to call upon the U.S. government to stop issuing these entrance permits.
Webcam(Kokusai Street)
