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At Okinawa witness hearing, two oppose security legislation; two support it but call for cautious deliberation

At Okinawa witness hearing, two oppose security legislation; two support it but call for cautious deliberation

July 7, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

At a hearing on July 6 at the Pacific Hotel Okinawa in Naha, five witnesses chosen by each of Japan’s major political parties testified before the House of Representatives Peace and Security Legislation Special Committee. The committee deliberates on national security bills allowing a reinterpretation of Japan’s Constitution that enables the country to play a greater role not only in its own defense, but also in global security. Opposing the legislation were...

 

With irreparable grief, 110 people gather 56 years after US jet fighter crash

With irreparable grief, 110 people gather 56 years after US jet fighter crash

July 1, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo 

Fifty-six years have passed since a poorly-maintained U.S. F-100 fighter from Kadena Air Base crashed into the residential area and Miyamori Elementary School in Ishikawa City (currently Uruma City). The bereaved families, a non-profit organization, the Ishikawa...

Okinawa and Hawaii to sign new memorandum on co-developing clean energy

July 5, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

From July 9, Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga will visit Hawaii. Onaga and Hawaii Governor David Ige will sign a memorandum on an ongoing Okinawa and Hawaii clean energy co-development project. Based on the past five-years’ development results, the Okinawa Prefectural...

Editorial directors of Okinawan newspapers criticize LDP members’ remarks: Truly dangerous suppression of free speech

Editorial directors of Okinawan newspapers criticize LDP members' remarks: Truly dangerous suppression of free speech

July 3, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

On July 2, the chief editors of the Ryukyu Shimpo and the Okinawa Times gave press conferences on the topic of the LDP media suppression issue at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan (FCCJ) and the Japan National Press Club (JNPC) in Chiyoda Ward. Ryukyu Shimpo...

Okinawan Products Promotion Month begins with parade at Kokusai Street

Okinawan Products Promotion Month begins with parade at Kokusai Street

July 1, 2015

On “the Day of Okinawan Products” on July 1, there was a parade down Kokusai Street in Naha City to launch the beginning of the 2015 Okinawa products promotion month. This year’s slogan is; “Oh, good! I get it now, Okinawan Products.” About 250 people...

Okinawa governor, Chinese ambassador meet in Naha

Okinawa governor, Chinese ambassador meet in Naha

July 1, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

On June 30, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cheng Yonghua came to Okinawa Prefecture to attend a ceremony marking the July 1 launch of the Naha-Fuzhou direct service by China Eastern Airlines. He met with Governor Takeshi Onaga in Naha city over a meal.

The governor...

Okinawa Prefectural Assembly to protest LDP members’ attack on local newspapers

Okinawa Prefectural Assembly to protest LDP members’ attack on local newspapers

July 2, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

Liberal-Democratic Party (LDP) lawmakers close to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a meeting, in which members advocated punishing news media, including two major Okinawan newspapers. On July 2, in the afternoon, the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly members resolved to...

Endangered birds fly on Oura Bay

Endangered birds fly on Oura Bay

June 25, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

On June 24, roseate terns, black-naped terns and little tern birds listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species were sighted on Oura Bay in Nago. They were searching for fish.

It appears that roseate terns and black-naped terns breed on...

Defense Minister announces Henoko drilling survey deadline to be extended to end of September

June 30, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

At a press conference following a cabinet meeting on June 30, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani announced that the deadline for completing the drilling survey being carried out in preparation for the relocation of MCAS Futenma to Henoko, Nago City would be extended...

Symposium to mark 50th anniversary of discovery of Iriomote wild cat

Symposium to mark 50th anniversary of discovery of Iriomote wild cat

June 29, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

Iriomote wild cats, classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, can only be found on Iriomote Island in Taketomi Town. On the afternoon of June 28, a symposium to mark the 50th anniversary of its discovery was held...

Okinawa takes steps to make Okinawan cuisine part of cultural heritage

June 25, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

Okinawa Prefecture’s schools superintendent, Akira Moromizato, announced the start of a study aiming to designate an Okinawan dish as “intangible cultural heritage.” During the plenary session at the prefectural assembly on June 24, he stated, “We would...