A contest to select the king and queen for the Shuri Castle Festival 2015 was held at a hotel in Naha. The Okinawa Commemorative National Government Park hosts this event annually.
Thirty-four-year-old Takahito Iraha was elected as the new king and twenty-one-year-old Rika Ikeda as the new queen.
There were 45 applications, including 17 applications for the king and 45 for the queen.
They will attend a swearing-in ceremony on October 31, when the Sapposhi or envoy of the Chinese Emperor will bestow the imperial seal on the new King of Ryukyu, followed by a parade in the Una forecourt.
The new king and queen will work for one year.
The new king Iraha said, “Honestly, I am happy. I want to do my best to live up to the role of king.”
The new queen Ikeda said, “I will work hard to help many people know more about Okinawa.”
September 9, 2015 Mifuyu Hattori Correspondent of Ryukyu Shimpo
Hiroshi Miyazato, the head of Ura district in Kunigami, has two dogs, 7-year-old Butch and three-year-old Charo. They are always with their owner Miyazato and his wife, and love to help their owners with work on the farm.
On a garbage collection day, Butch and Charo carry garbage bags to a collection spot. Miyazato and his wife smile as they observe their dogs’ behavior.
As soon as the dogs hear the chime indicating it is lunchtime, they pick their bowls and gather food.
“No one taught them to do it. They must have learned watching what we do,” said Miyazato. He takes care of the dogs like his own children and enjoys watching them grow up.
Butch and Charo carry their bowls in their month to get food from the owners.
On September 17, Chairman Moritake Tomikawa of the Okinawa East Asia Economic Strategy Initiative Development Committee, one of the main pillars of Governor Takeshi Onaga’s economic policy, presented the governor with a report detailing initiatives including the buildup of airport- and harbor-related industries. Governor Onaga stated that he wants to implement dynamic, energetic policies. The initiatives drawn up by the committee will be reflected in prefectural policy starting in the next fiscal year.
The initiatives are based on five pillars: (1) The formation of an internationally competitive logistics hub; (2) The formation of a world-class tourist resort; (3) The formation of a cluster of air transport-related industry; (4) The formation of an international information and communications hub; and (5) The promotion of new manufacturing industries.
The report contains ideas yet to be formally proposed by the prefectural government, including proposals for the use of land currently occupied by Naha Military Port and the Japan Self-Defense Force’s Naha base, which have not yet been returned for civilian use, as well as the establishment of an Okinawa IT Industry Strategy Center (provisional name). Additionally, the report suggests the establishment of an organization that can function as a business concierge to gather and provide information necessary for overseas corporations to establish themselves in Okinawa, as well as the establishment within the Prefectural Office of a special office to promote the cultivation of globally minded human resources. The office would be in charge of cooperating with local governments and educational institutions.
Regarding the inclusion of details for future use of land currently occupied by military facilities, Governor Onaga explained to reporters, “This is something we have long hoped for, so if we can get the business community on board, we will be in a strong position to negotiate.”
Chairman Tomikawa stated, “There are some elements that we have not yet been able to completely flesh out in our vision for the 21st century. Supplementing those areas is crucial for the future independence of Okinawa’s economy.” He requested that Governor Onaga establish an investigative committee to verify that the proposals drawn up in the report are reflected in future prefectural policies.
September 24, 2015 Tomoki Yasutomi of Ryukyu Shimpo
The Ministry of Defense has announced its intention to grant research funds (with an annual maximum of 30,000,000 yen) as part of a system toward investigating the practicality of applying military technology to counter small drone and cyber attacks. In response, the Ryukyu Shimpo conducted a survey of 11 higher education institutions within Okinawa Prefecture. All 10 of the institutions that answered the survey expressed the opinion that the proposed system should not be employed. Furthermore, 9 of these institutions state that in the case of a request for cooperation with national security or military affairs research, they will refuse. The reason they give for their response is “we have absolutely no intention of conducting research related to military affairs,” and similar dissenting words.
The University of the Ryukyus says that it is “reviewing [use of this system] on a case-by-case basis.” Okinawa National College of Technology did not answer the survey with the explanation that “we will not consider employing this system.”
The Ministry of Defense’s announcement refers to the National Security Technology Research Implementation System. This year the funds were advertised from July 8 until August 12 at research institutions covering 28 fields of study. Higher education institutions in Okinawa do not research subjects eligible for funding by this system, and did not apply to it. The institutions that responded to the Ryukyu Shimpo survey were the University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa Prefectural College of Nursing, Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, Meio University, Okinawa International University, Okinawa University, Okinawa Christian University, Okinawa Christian Junior College, Okinawa Women’s Junior College, and Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST).
In regards to whether the institutions are considering adopting the research implementation system, all 10 responding institutions selected “no” as their answer. When asked if they would cooperate with a system bearing national security or military affairs objectives, or related research, 9 of the institutions answered “no”. The University of the Ryukyus, however, selected “other,” adding the explanation that “even though this university’s educational research and learning are driven by each student’s chosen direction, the projects should contribute to welfare and peace for mankind, so we will not act in any way to obstruct these goals.” Therefore, it says it is “reviewing [use of this system] on a case-by-case basis.”
In regard to cooperating with the new research system, OIST says, “we have absolutely no intention of conducting research related to military affairs or national security technology.” Okinawa International University answers that, “universities are educational institutions and should not be expected to conduct military research.”
Supporting the statement, “we will absolutely not conduct scientific research with the objective of war,” made by the Science Council of Japan in 1967, Okinawa Christian University and Junior College jointly declared, “we should advance peaceful and friendly relations with foreign countries through education and research.”
On September 18 at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum, an “Endangered Languages and Dialects Summit” was held. People concerned about the dying out of eight languages listed as endangered by UNESCO discussed how the languages could be passed down to younger generations.
The eight endangered languages are from northern Japan, where the Ainu live, and the Okinawan islands, including Yaeyama, Yonaguni, Amami, Kunigami, Okinawa Main Island, and Miyako.
Professor Masahide Ishihara at the University of the Ryukyus explained the challenges in a recent survey.
“Many people in Okinawa hope to preserve and pass down the languages through school education; however, teaching materials are limited. Teachers cannot speak Shimakutuba (island language) either,” he stated.
Kitahara Mokotunashi from the Hokkaido University explained that their challenge in disseminating the Ainu language is a lack of community space where people can come together to practice and access materials.
The program included a lecture by Shimakutuba entertainer Hayato Fujiki and an audio demonstration comparing endangered languages.
September 17, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo Sakae Toiyama reports from Washington D.C.
In the evening of September 15, the City Assembly of Berkeley California unanimously resolved to oppose the planned relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to the Henoko district of Nago, and promote solidarity with Okinawa. It is the first time a local assembly in the United States has resolved to oppose the Henoko relocation.
The resolution outlines the situation in Okinawa where U.S military bases in Japan are concentrated. It states that U.S. military bases account for 18 percent of the landmass of the main island of Okinawa, exposing residents to military aircraft noise pollution, aircraft accidents, and crimes involving military personnel. The resolution also states that Takeshi Onaga who opposes the Henoko relocation, won the Okinawa gubernatorial election, and that 80.2 percent of Okinawan people oppose the planned construction according to a survey carried out by the Ryukyu Shimpo.
The resolution makes four demands, calling on the U.S. Department of Defense to comply with the National Historic Preservation Act and the Marine Mammal Commission, and re-examine the plan. It asks the U.S. government to give up on the new base’s construction.
The assembly will send the resolution to President Barack Obama.
The City of Berkeley Peace and Justice Commission Diana Bohn proposed the resolution on May 4. While eight assembly members favored the resolution, three abstained from the vote.
Bohn said that she was glad the resolution supporting Okinawan people was adopted. She added that she wanted the U.S. government to change its policy and that this adopted resolution would raise American people’s awareness of Okinawan people’s struggles.
September 22, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo Ryota Shimabukuro reports from Geneva
On the morning of September 21, the symposium Militarization and Human Rights Violations in Okinawa opened at the United Nations European Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Governor Onaga spoke first at the symposium for about 20 minutes, mentioning that Okinawa was once an independent nation before its annexation by Japan. Now, after the Battle of Okinawa that claimed 200,000 victims, looking back on the 70-year span of an overwhelming base burden on Okinawa, he claims that Okinawan people’s freedom, equality, human rights, democracy, and right of self-determination are being disregarded.
The symposium was jointly hosted by Shimin Gaiko Centre (Citizens’ Diplomatic Centre for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples), the International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR), and the Shima Gurumi Association, among others. The issues of carrying out construction of the new base in Henoko were discussed through the lens of human rights, the environment, and other such aspects.
Co-representative of Citizens’ Network for Biodiversity in Okinawa, Hideki Yoshikawa, said that the process of conducting environmental impact assessments of the new base construction has been harshly criticized by experts as “the worst in Japan’s history,” among other such critiques. He said he wishes for scientists and experts around the world to investigate the impact that new base construction will have on the people and environment of Okinawa.
Hideaki Uemura, president of Shimin Gaiko Centre, introduced particulars about the United States’ tie to the Ryukyu Kingdom by the Treaty of Amity, its silence over Japan’s annexation of the Ryukyu Islands, and Okinawa’s militarization under direct U.S. control after the Battle of Okinawa. He presented that after Okinawa’s return to Japan, the U.S. expanded and strengthened its bases in Okinawa, meanwhile allowing its actions to fall under the shadow of the Government of Japan. Liability for Okinawa’s situation also falls heavily on the U.S., Uemura attested.
Yoshikazu Shiohira, Chief Editor of Ryukyu Shimpo, reported that cases have been occurring in which city residents protesting construction of the new base come to be in scuffles with and are arrested by police. Reflecting on another case in which a coast guard officer overreached his duty and restrained a citizen by straddling her, he said these behaviors undermine freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and freedom of the press. He asserted that as Okinawan people do not condone new base construction, the construction should certainly be ceased.
September 22, 2015 Ryukyu Shimp Ryota Shimabukuro reports from Geneva
On September 21, shortly after 5:00 p.m., Governor Takeshi Onaga gave a speech at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, speaking about the fact that Okinawans do not agree to the new base construction being carried out by the governments of Japan and the U.S. in Henoko, Nago, and arguing to the international community that the forceful implementation of the base construction plans constitutes a violation of human rights and must be stopped by any possible and legitimate means. Governor Onaga called upon the international community, stating, “I would like the world to pay attention to Henoko, where Okinawans’ right to self-determination is being neglected.”
It was the first time a prefectural governor from Japan gave a speech at the UN Human Rights Council. Governor Onaga emphasized that the overwhelming burden of military bases being shouldered by the Okinawan people is a human rights issue, hoping that rising criticism at home and abroad will prevent the new base from being constructed.
Governor Onaga emphasized the unjust nature of the demand by the U.S. and Japanese governments that a replacement facility be built within Okinawa in order for Futenma to be closed, stating, “After World War II, the US military took our land by force…we have never provided our land willingly.”
He also stated, “Okinawa only covers 0.6% of Japan. However, 73.8% of US exclusive bases in Japan exist in Okinawa. Over the past seventy years, US bases have caused many incidents, accidents, and environmental problems in Okinawa.” Based on this, he concluded, “Our right to self-determination and human rights have been neglected.”
Governor Onaga also mentioned the fact that candidates opposing the construction of a new base in Henoko won a series of important elections last year, including the gubernatorial election, the Nago mayoral election, and the lower house election. He announced his determination to prevent the base construction, stating, “I am determined to stop the base construction using every possible and legitimate means.”
Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga will make speech at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, Switzerland on September 21 and 22.
It will be the first time a prefectural governor from Japan has taken the stage. The speech is an opportunity for the governor to reveal the crises in Okinawa, where locals’ human rights have been violated by the presence of the U.S. military bases, and oppressive treatment by the Japanese and U.S. governments.
Okinawan people continue to suffer social injustice 70 years after the end of the World War II.
The governor, who represents the will of the people, will ask the international community to support Okinawa as it tries to rectify an absurd situation, in which Japan and US leaders have tried to force through a new military base despite untenable public opposition. The governor is heading to the UN with unflagging resolve. Okinawan people expect that the governor’s speech will be a foundation to change the future of Okinawa.
Historical inevitability
The governments of Japan and the United States have made Okinawa host to a major burden of military bases for 70 years following the war. It will be an extremely important step toward affirming Okinawa’s right to self-determination when the governor and delegation from Okinawa reveal the inhumanity of the situation to the world.
On February 1, 1962, the legislature of the Government of the Ryukyu Islands passed a resolution seeking to unanimously return the administrative rights over Okinawa from the United States to Japan. The resolution reads: We request that members of the United Nations draw attention to the fact that unjust domination has occurred in the Japanese territory against the will of the residents.
After the war, Japan gave Okinawa to the United States. Okinawan people were placed under the rule of the U.S. forces. The representative body of the people at the time sharply condemned colonial-style domination by the United States and asked the international community to help recover Okinawa’s sovereignty.
It was Josei Onaga, a member of the Okinawa Liberal Democratic Party and the father of Governor Takeshi Onaga, who read the bipartisan resolution as a representative of its initiators.
The resolution referred to the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, which was adopted at the United Nations General Assembly in 1960, and pointed out the illegality of colonial rule.
The so-called 2.1 resolution, which aimed to protect the autonomy and human rights of Okinawan people, reflected universal values that remain as important as ever. The members of the legislature fought for survival in a make-or-break battle against the oppressive rule of the U.S. military. The resolution was sent to 104 countries. International support added power to the movement seeking to return the administrative rights over Okinawa to Japan.
Despite residents’ strenuous appeal, basic human rights are still being undermined by the heavy impact of the U.S. bases. More than five decades since the reversion, Onaga, who leads the ‘All-Okinawa’ movement against plans for a new military base in Nago, will make a momentous visit to the UN. It is considered here to be a “historical necessity” that Onaga refer to Okinawa’s recent past in stressing the importance of protecting the human rights of Okinawan people.
It is important for the global community to know how the excessive burden of U.S. bases remaining in Okinawa and the new base construction in Henoko, Nago, hurt the human rights and dignity of Okinawan people. We would like governor Onaga to confidently highlight the tyrannical nature of the U.S. and Japan’s past and present dealings with Okinawa, which continues to suffer from their colonial attitude.
End double standards and devaluing of Okinawan lives
The UN Human Rights Council reviews human-rights issues in UN-signatory countries regularly and systematically, urging those violating human rights to swiftly improve the situation. It is one of the main organizations in the UN, and on a par with the Security Council.
The U.S. military bases, which were built on land forcibly seized from the Okinawan people after the Battle of Okinawa, have violated Okinawa’s right to self-determination. Okinawan people’s rights are rooted in their history, and inherent to their culture. Without consent from Ryukyuan or Okinawan people, whose right to self-determination was guaranteed under international law long before the island chain became part of Japan, the governments of Japan and the United States have been occupying the land and sea that Okinawan people inherited from their ancestors.
Even though over 70 percent of Okinawan people oppose the new base construction in Henoko, the Japanese and U.S. governments are continuing to force through the project. Without a doubt, this represents a continued violation of human rights in Okinawa, as well as Okinawa’s right to self-determination.
After Okinawa’s return to Japanese sovereignty, about three rape cases, involving U.S. military servicemen, have occurred on average per year. U.S. military aircraft crashes continue too. The military operates the bases under conditions that would not be allowable to those living in the United States or the main island of Japan. It is unacceptable to let this double standard continue, as it an unfair treatment of the “Uchinanchu” or Okinawan people and it discriminates against their lives.
As intellectuals all around the world attest, democratic justice sides with Okinawa. In the wake of Onaga’s speech at the UN, we would like to boost awareness of Okinawan people’s call to have their right to self-determination recognized.
On September 7, the Jaran Research Center, a domestic tourism research institute operated by Recruit Life Style, released “The Jaran Travel Survey 2015.” Okinawa Prefecture has ranked the best in overall satisfaction level for seven years in a row. Among eight categories of attractive features, Okinawa ranked No. 1 for five categories. Also, the travel expenses of domestic visitors who stayed in Okinawa in 2014 were 102,500 yen per person. Okinawa was the only place nationwide where expenses exceeded 100,000 yen. The average was 49,200 yen.
The online survey was conducted from last April to March this year and involved 15,474 domestic tourists who were not on business trips, school trips, and homecoming visits. The survey began in 2004, with this year marking the 11th year.
The five categories in which Okinawa ranked number one include; “A feeling of hospitality from residents,” “Many attractive accommodation facilities,” “Many attractive facilities and activities for adults,” “Many attractive local products,” and “Good local access to tourist information.” Okinawa made the top five for three other categories as well. Okinawa ranked second in the category of “Place to revisit,” following Hokkaido.
According to the Research Center, the number of domestic tourists who visited Okinawa for leisure in 2014, was approximately 5,150,000 people and ranked the 10th nationwide. It was the first time for Okinawa to make top 10 since 2003, when the Center began the survey. The repeat rate for tourist visits is 69%. There are more individual tourists than package tours, approximately 70% of visitors not on package tours.
24.4% of tourists were couples, 15.9% were families with children below six-years-old. By region, 39.2% tourists visited from Kanto area and 16.5% from Kansai.
With travel expenditure increasing nationwide, the travel rates of a young men (20 to 34 years old) in particular greatly increased since 2013. The number of young male tourists increased two years in a row.
September 14, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo
Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga has that he is preparing to revoke his predecessor’s approval of landfill in Henoko, Nago. He announced his decision at a news conference held in the morning on September 14. In Henoko, the governments of Japan and the United States are advancing their plan to build a base to replace U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan.
On the same day, the prefectural government notified the Okinawa Defense Bureau that a hearing will be held.
It will take about one month to complete the procedures required to revoke the approval.
Governor Onaga, who has opposed the Henoko relocation plan, won last year’s gubernatorial election against the former Governor Hirokazu Nakaima, who favored the central government’s plan.
Since taking office, Onaga has continued to insist that he will revoke or withdraw his predecessor’s approval of the landfill. Now, he will exercise his full administrative authority.
The governor stated, “We have scrutinized a report submitted by a third-party committee. It identifies a flaw in the former governor’s approval. “He said, “I will work with full force to fulfill my policy pledge that I will use all measures not to allow the governments to build a new U.S. base in Henoko.”
Webcam(Kokusai Street)
