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18 individuals certified as 2021 Okinawa City Peace Ambassadors to act as storytellers for peace

18 individuals certified as 2021 Okinawa City Peace Ambassadors to act as storytellers for peace

May 20, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Takahiro Kina

On April 19 in Okinawa City, the 2021 Okinawa City Peace Ambassador certification ceremony was held at City Hall. The Okinawa City Peace Ambassador Project was started in 1991 for the purpose of conveying the tragic experiences and lessons of the Battle of Okinawa to the next generation, and nurturing persons who demonstrate promise in creating a peaceful society. Up to this point 514 people have been certified as peace ambassadors.

This...

 

Red flower petals decorate the rainy season street corner for Shoman

Red flower petals decorate the rainy season street corner for Shoman

May 21 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Shoman, the eighth solar term in the traditional lunisolar calendar, falls on May 21 this year. In Okinawa, the term is often combined with the following term, “Boshu” to become “Suman-bosu,” a name used to describe the rainy season.

On...

What is hate speech? Citizens’ organization spreads awareness with pamphlet in front of Naha City Hall

What is hate speech? Citizens’ organization spreads awareness with pamphlet in front of Naha City Hall

May 20, 2021  Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On May 19, the group Okinawa Counters passed out pamphlets about hate speech in front of Naha City Hall. Okinawa Counters has been protesting expressions of hate speech in front of Naha City Hall since May 20, 2020.

 

The pamphlet...

Blue rock thrush parents raise baby chick at vegetable shop, “endearing” chick waits patiently through its hunger

Blue rock thrush parents raise baby chick at vegetable shop, “endearing” chick waits patiently through its hunger

May 10, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Ikue Asato

 

(Ogimi) On April 29, two blue rock thrush parents were found devoting themselves to childrearing at the vegetable shop at the Ogimi Village Revitalization Center. The sight of the birds warmed the hearts of the shop staff and customers.

 

A...

Greatly reduced in scope, annual May 15 protest “questions the state of affairs after Okinawa’s reversion”

Greatly reduced in scope, annual May 15 protest “questions the state of affairs after Okinawa’s reversion”

May 15, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

The 5/15 Peace March Executive Committee (led by Peace Okinawa chairman Hiroji Yamashiro) held a rally at the gate of the U.S. military’s Camp Foster in Kitanakagusuku May 15, where they asked for the truth about the reversion of Okinawa to Japan....

Heatstroke warning in Yaeyama with strong May sun and summer-like conditions

Heatstroke warning in Yaeyama with strong May sun and summer-like conditions

May 13, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

The Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) and the Ministry of the Environment (MoE) announced a heatstroke warning for the Yaeyama islands May 12, for the second day in a row. By 3:00 p.m., they had indicated a heat index over 31 for all regions in the...

ZHAP aims for 100,000 signatures asking Biden administration to revoke Henoko construction

ZHAP aims for 100,000 signatures asking Biden administration to revoke Henoko construction

May 14, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On May 13, the members of ZHAP (the ZENKO Henoko Project) held an interview at the Okinawa Prefectural Office’s press club, and, with cooperation from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) which has influence with the Democratic Party and the...

MV22-Osprey repeatedly flies out of Futenma Airfield after 11p.m., causing noise pollution

MV22-Osprey repeatedly flies out of Futenma Airfield after 11p.m., causing noise pollution

May 14, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On May 11 and 12, aircraft including the MV-22 Osprey, a vertical takeoff and landing transport aircraft, took off from U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma after 10 p.m.–a violation of the Noise Prevention Agreement, a measure to control aircraft...

Pair of Yambaru-Kuina photographed in recommended World Heritage Site, Kunigami

Pair of Yambaru-Kuina photographed in recommended World Heritage Site, Kunigami

May 12, 2021  Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On May 11, the day after Amami, Okinawa was recommended for inscription as a World Natural Heritage Site, yambaru-kuina (Okinawa rail), a Natural Monument of Japan, were spotted in Kunigami.

 

The pair of yambaru-kuina poked their...

Islands in Okinawa and Amami to be designated World Heritage Sites after IUCN recommendation

Islands in Okinawa and Amami to be designated World Heritage Sites after IUCN recommendation

May 11, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

The International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an advisory body for the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), announced May 10 that they would recommend “Amami Oshima, Tokuno Island, Okinawa’s northern region and Iriomote...

Okinawan language usage down 13.5 points in FY 2020: 84% feel affection, 43% speak it

Okinawan language usage down 13.5 points in FY 2020: 84% feel affection, 43% speak it

May 4, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On April 30, the prefectural government’s Culture, Tourism, and Sports Department announced the 2020 survey results on the familiarity of shimakutuba (the Okinawan language) among locals. Approximately 80% of respondents said they feel close to or have...