Glenn Gumpel, CEO of the company behind Universal Studios Japan (USJ), the US movie theme park in Osaka, held a press conference in Osaka City on March 18. Gumpel announced plans to build a theme park in Okinawa. Gumpel described the scale of the development; “although it will be smaller than Tokyo Disney Land or USJ Osaka, it will still be big.” Gumpel did not mention any specific information on location or opening time. However, people involved indicate the company is looking into the possible use of state-owned land around the Ocean Expo Park in Motobu. The plan will also consider the area around the Neo Park Okinawa in Nago City, which has been previously targeted.
Gumpel said, “This park will not be featuring movies or TV shows. It will be something to fit into Okinawa.” Regarding the development plan of the new park, Gumpel further stated, “We want to grow our business outside of Osaka as well.”
According to those involved, the new facilities will take advantage of the nature of Okinawa.
However, they also said the plan is still in its initial phase and it is not guaranteed whether the plan will be implemented or not. A spokesperson for the USJ further explained, “CEO Gumpel announced the development with a disclaimer that we have not guaranteed that the company will execute the plan or not.”
USJ considers the area around Ocean Expo Park for the development of the theme park.
The USJ operating company has been considering Kyusyu, Okinawa and other places in Asia as candidates for developing a new park. The team has been to Okinawa multiple times for site studies while communicating with the Okinawa Prefectural Government and Nago City. In his interview with Kyodo News before, Gumpel stated, “We are negotiating with multiple stakeholders in and out of the country. Nago City is one of them.”
Regarding the USJ plan in Okinawa, House of Representatives member Mikio Shimoji said that the Japanese government officials involved showed him theme park development plans for possible sites in Nago, Motobu, and Nakijin. If a location is decided and the project is confirmed, construction will start within the year.
Okinawa Governor: “A new USJ theme park will benefit Okinawan tourism”
Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga responded to the announcement by CEO Glenn Gumpel on 18th. Onaga said, “In our attempt to reach to the goal of one trillion yen of tourism income and ten million tourists, a new theme park would be an attractive tourism facility, equivalent to Churaumi Aquarium and Shuri Castle.” Onaga added, “The discussion is significant for the future of Okinawan tourism, and it should be welcomed.”
The Himeyuri Peace Museum is known for its unique, oral-history approach to educating people about the Battle of Okinawa. Since its opening in 1989, the museum has been giving visitors, including students on school trips, a chance to hear directly from survivors of the war, who tell them about their experiences. Lectures by former Himeyuri students, female high school students who joined nursing units in the Imperial Japanese Army during the Battle of Okinawa have come to end. As the war survivors are aging, it is difficult for them to deliver the pre-booked lectures. Eighty-seven-year-old Yoshiko Shimabukuro, the director of the museum, delivered her final lecture in front of 146 high school students who visited Okinawa for a study trip. Shimabukuro said, “Once war has started, you cannot stop it. We have to be cautious because Japan is heading in the direction of changing the peace constitution and engaging in wars.” While the survivors’ special lectures will end, they will continue to relay their war experiences to visitors to the museum after April.
On the evening of March 23, 1945, the Imperial Japanese Army sent the “Himeyuri Student Corps” consisting of female Okinawan school students and teachers to the Haebaru Imperial Japanese Army Hospital Cave. In the cave, they treated injured soldiers, retrieved water from outside the cave, and worked as military messengers. Among 240 people, including teachers and students, who were sent to the battlefields, 136 died.
In her final lecture, Shimabukuro said, “Before going to the army hospital, I thought what we learned from training would help, and we could come back after one week.” However, the students were on the battlefields for about three months amid shellfire. Shimabukuro talked about treating seriously injured patients in the cave, and her experiences of being unable to help injured friends. She repeatedly said, “We never knew what war really was before it.”
Shimabukuro said, “Human life is more valuable than earth. Wars deprive it. Although you cannot stop natural calamities, you can stop causing wars. We have freedom of speech. I would like you to become a person who can vocally declare never to engage in wars.”
A 17-year-old female student said, “I thought I knew what war was after studying it, but I realized that I did not know anything about it until I listened to the story of the war survivor. We need to value human life.”
At its peak, war survivors delivered lectures over one thousand times annually in and outside the museum. However, the museum stopped delivering lectures outside of the institution in the fiscal year of 2013 because of health concerns for the lecturers. The museum had 27 lecturers when it first opened, but this number has decreased to nine due to death and illness. Staff and family members of the speakers are now aged between 86 and 89. Concerned about their age and health, the staff at the museum can no longer accept advanced bookings .
The Okinawa Coffee Production Association consists of 21 coffee producers in Okinawa. On March 12, the association launched a general incorporated association; “Okinawan Coffee and Tropical fruits Study Society.” The association has registered the new organization as a company, which means it is able to apply for subsidies. The company’s contract stipulates that it aims to improve and streamline cultivation and production techniques of coffee and tropical fruits. Specifically, the association plans to build an over 40,000 square meter farm.
Naomasa Miyazato, the head of the association has become the administrative director of the new organization. Four members of the association, including Katsuyuki Shinzato and Isao Kameya have become executive board members. The society’s main office will be located in Uechi, Okinawa City.
Miyazato said, “We would like to establish an Okinawa coffee brand, contributing to the Okinawan economy.” He added, “We expect to complete growing coffee beans with plastic greenhouse culture within two to three years and aim at stable supply of coffee and vitalization of farmers, with the production system dealing with disasters such as typhoon.”
The society will also work on producing tropical fruits, including passion fruit and mango. The association is considering founding a “Coffee University,” for research and education on how to grow and roast coffee beans.
Coffee producers outside the prefecture have asked to take part in the society. The association plans to strengthen its organizational structure to expand its production.
An air force RC-135V Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft temporarily stationed at Kadena Air Base from Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska lost its fiberglass part weighing about 907 grams during flight on March 16. According to the Okinawa Defense Bureau, as of the evening of March 17, there was no information from the Kadena base officials about when and where the aircraft lost the part. It has not been confirmed whether there was any damage to residents, such as injuries. The Air Force has not taken measures to suspend flight operation. On March 17, a resident observed the same aircraft taking off from Kadena. Parts have fallen from US military six times this year. Okinawa Prefectural government and local municipality officials have received community complaints about the incidents.
The defense bureau received notification of the incident from a Kadena Base official at 10:30 a.m. on March 17, and then it informed the local municipalities at noon on the same day. Maintenance crews found the part was missing while checking the aircraft after its flight on March 16. The part is a fiberglass access panel, which is about 20.3 cm long and about 25.4 cm in width. There is no report from the U.S. military on what part of the aircraft it came from.
According to a resident, the RC-135V took off from Kadena Base at 11 a.m. on March 16, and it returned to the base after sunset. On March 17, the day after the accident, the resident saw the aircraft take off from the base at 3:27 p.m. and return to the base at 8:16 p.m.
The base officials had not responded to questions regarding the details and cause of the accident from the Ryukyu Shimpo as of 8 p.m. on March 17.
On March 17, the Okinawa Prefectural Government sent a request to the Kadena Base and the defense bureau urging them to ensure the U.S. military carries out thorough measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents, and to improve safety management. An official of the prefecture government criticized the U.S. military for its irresponsibility, saying, “It is regrettable that many of these incidents have taken place despite our requests that U.S. military take measures to prevent incidents. It could lead to a serious accident.” The RC-135V aircraft is engaged in missions to collect information and monitor activities in East Asia, operating from Kadena Base.
An MV-22 osprey aircraft belonging to the Futenma base lost its part on March 16.
Two activists protesting construction of a replacement base for U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Henoko were dragged onto U.S. Marine Camp Schwab by the Japanese security guards working for the U.S. military on February 22. The U.S. Marine Corps in Okinawa has since dismissed Robert Eldridge, the foreign policy deputy director of U.S. Marine Corps on Okinawa, for leaking video footage of the protesters being detained. The footage appears to be shot from a surveillance camera inside Camp Schwab. Several people involved revealed his dismissal. While Eldridge has been stepped-down, the Marines Corps has not officially disclosed the job title and full name of the person punished. However, a Marines Corps spokesperson explained to the Ryukyu Shimpo that they have punished the person involved in revealing the footage through an improper route.
Eldridge is now on leave of absence. The Ryukyu Shimpo has sent emails to Eldridge regarding his punishment, but he has not returned them as of March 19.
In the leaked video, Hiroji Yamashiro, the director of the Okinawa Peace Movement Center and Daigaku Tanimoto can be seen being dragged onto the base by the Japanese security guards for allegedly trespassing onto the base on February 22. The footage appears to be shot from a surveillance camera inside the base.
According to the people involved, Eldridge provided the video to a 51-year-old man living in Okinawa. The man uploaded the video on YouTube on March 9. He said that he could not say how he got the video.
A spokesperson for the Public Affairs Office of the Marine Corps Base on Okinawa told the Ryukyu Shimpo that they did not release the video and told the reporter to ask the one who uploaded it. They denied their organization’s involvement in the leak. However, Marine Corps authorities have whistled a different tune, admitting on March 14 the video leakage was an inside job.
On March 21, at Sedake beach and on the water, civic organizations and the five ruling parties of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly held a people’s rally to block the construction of a new U.S. base in Henoko, Nago. About 3,900 people gathered, and Vice Governor Misuo Agena took part in the rally for the first time after anti-new U.S. base construction Governor Takeshi Onaga’s administration started. The vice governor stated in his speech, “Governor Onaga will make his decision soon.” He suggested that the Okinawa Prefectural Government would revoke the permission granted to the Okinawa Defense Bureau to crush reef.
Speakers at the rally demanded the governments of Japan and the United States cancel the construction of a new U.S. base in Henoko.
They also criticized the U.S. military for a recent increase in incidents involving parts falling from U.S. military aircraft .
House of Representatives member Kantoku Teruya stated, “The construction of new U.S. base will damage Our Mother the Sea, and destroy the dignity of Uchinanchu (Okinawan people).”
Fujiko Matsuda, president of the Association of Residents of the Districts North of Futami Opposed to the Construction of a New Base at Henoko, Oura Bay, said, “The sea of Oura Bay has become a battlefield for the fight between state power and the people’s will. I want to ask everyone if Japan should keep going this way.”
Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine said, “The victory is easy to reach. We should demonstrate our belief with pride and confidence. Let’s join forces to cancel the Henoko relocation plan.”
This is the fourth time that a mass rally with thousands protesters has been held near the construction site. It is the first rally since the government resumed a seabed drilling survey on March 12. The executive committee consisting of civic organizations and the five ruling parties will hold a rally of tens of thousands at Okinawa Cellular Stadium in Naha on May 17. It will also hold a people’s rally in front of Camp Schwab or Sedake beach. In April, bipartisan assembly members of all the cities, towns, villages and the prefecture will take part in action to block the gate of Camp Schwab.
On March 16, President Mark H.Higa, president-elect Tom Ken Yamamoto, executive director Jane F. Serikaku of the executive council of the Hawaii United Okinawa Association (HUOA) visited the Ryukyu Shimpo office. The HUOA plans to build the Hawaii Okinawa Plaza, which will have leasable retail and office space and will include space for activities that will promote Okinawan culture. Rental income from the Plaza will support the Hawaii Okinawa Center, which is the operating base for the HUOA. Higa and other members called for fundraising for the construction of the Plaza.
This year marks the 30-year milestone of a sister state arrangement between Hawaii and Okinawa. The HUOA will hold a commemoration ceremony in Hawaii in July. Hawaii Governor David Ige, third-generation Okinawan descendant, will attend the ceremony, and Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga will be invited to it.
The president of the HUOA said, “The Okinawa Plaza is a vital facility for the passing down of the Okinawan culture to future generations. We would like to make the 30th commemorative ceremony successful.”
At 10:00 a.m. on March 12, the Ryubo Industry held a grand opening of its tourist and commercial complex HAPIHANA at the former site of Mitsukoshi Department Store, which closed last September. The HAPIHANA has cafés, restaurants, comedy theatre Okinawa Kagetsu managed by the Yoshimoto Kogyo, and stores selling products from other islands. Goichi Itokazu, president of the Ryubo Industry said, “As implied by the name HAPINAHA, we want this place to make tourists and local people happy.”
In the afternoon on March 23, Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga urged the Okinawa Defense Bureau to halt offshore construction activity, including a marine boring survey, towards the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to the Henoko district of Nago. Speaking at a press conference at the Okinawa Prefectural Government office, Onaga announced that he made the decision because concrete blocks installed by the defense bureau to secure floats and buoys, have damaged coral at several locations in the temporary restricted area of Oura Bay in Nago. Onaga has demanded the bureau follow his order by March 30. Filing a request letter to the bureau, the Okinawa Prefectural Government (OPG) has asked the bureau to report on the cessation of the operation. If the bureau does not follow the order, the OPG may cancel former governor Hirokazu Nakaima’s approval of rock reef destruction. Onaga, who won the gubernatorial election on a pledge to stop the Henoko relocation, exercised his authority to stop the operation being carried out by the Japanese government.
Onaga claimed there is a high chance concrete blocks have damaged coral beyond the area where the OPG’s former leader, Nakaima, gave permission to the central government to carry out rock reef destruction. Nakaima’s approval angered voters, because he previously pledged not to allow the Henoko relocation. Onaga said, “We demand the Japanese government halt the whole operation, which is affecting the seafloor, until the OPG has completed its survey and determined whether or not to allow the bureau to resume the operation.”
The OPG requested access to the area in order to investigate damage. However, the US military denied the request. Referring to this, Onaga asked the Japanese government to negotiate with the U.S. military to get the request approved. However, the U.S. military has continued to reject requests. Onaga criticized the Japanese government, saying, “It is really unreasonable the OPG cannot even investigate.”
The former Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima was elected on a pledge not to allow the Henoko relocation. However, he eventually approved the application for land reclamation submitted by the defense bureau.
The bureau has installed large concrete blocks, damaging coral at several locations in an unauthorized area.
According to the OPG, the defense bureau will not be able to carry out the offshore operation, including a marine boring survey if the approval of rock reef destruction is canceled. However, the Japanese government intends to ignore the request, and continue carrying out the operation. At the press conference held in the morning on March 23, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said, “The Japanese government will continue to carry out the operation without making a fuss.”
On March 16, the Okinawa Defense Bureau revealed to the Ryukyu Shimpo that an aluminum part of an MV-22 Osprey aircraft belonging to the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma had fallen. No injury has been reported. After the aircraft battled fires near range 7 in Camp Hansen from 12 p.m. to 3:10 p.m. on March 12, it returned to Futenma Air Base in Ginowan. The part fell during that period. The Okinawa Defense Bureau received a report from U.S. forces in Japan on March 16, four days after the accident. Marine Corps has not halted operation of the Osprey, which continues to fly.
The Okinawa Prefectural Government (OPG), Ginowan City and Onna Village received a report on the incident from the defense bureau. However, the report did not provide information on what part of the aircraft fell and where it landed.
According to the bureau, the fallen aluminum part is an about 20.3 centimeters long and 7.6 centimeters wide, weighing about 164 grams. As of 9 p.m. on March 16, the U.S. Marines had not replied to a question from the Ryukyu Shimpo regarding which part of the aircraft the fallen object belonged to and why they delayed reporting it for four days to the Japanese side.
There have been other similar incidents involving U.S. military aircraft. This January, parts of a U.S. Marine AH- attack helicopter belonging to the Futenma base fell during flight in training airspace near Irisuna Island, Tonaki. The parts weighed more than about 200 kilograms, including hellfire missile launchers. An F-15 fighter belonging to U.S. Air Force Kadena Air Base lost its distal portion, weighing 5.4 kg, from the left of the vertical stabilizers during flight on February 4. A metallic component weighing about 227 kg dropped from a Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft belonging to U.S.Navy Kadena Air Base.
In February 2013, a full bottle of water fell from an Osprey aircraft belonging to the Futenma base during a flight near the base. In June 2014, a metal part of an MV-22 Osprey aircraft belonging to the base fell.
On March 16, the OPG asked the U.S. military to ensure they would take steps to report accidents swiftly, prevent recurrence and be more thorough in safety management. An OPG spokesperson said, “It is really a shame the parts of military aircraft have continued to fall, which could have possibly caused serious accidents.”
On the same day, a Ginowan City spokesperson said, “It is really a shame the incident happened. The fallen parts could have possibly led to serious injuries.” The city asked the defense bureau to prevent recurrence of such incidents and ascertain the cause of the accident.
On March 15, or January 20 in the old lunar calendar, a traditional New Year event called hachika sogachi was held at Tsuji in Naha. Participants prayed for business success and a good harvest. The Tsuji Shinshikai Foundation and other groups organized the event.
Women dressed in beautiful costumes made of bingata, Okinawan traditional resist dyed cloth, performed the juri-uma dance, which attracted many spectators.
Okinawan shaman or kaminchu, a role played by women, visited places of worship in Tsuji, and made an offering to the gods. They prayed for business success and a good harvest. After that, women did the juri-uma dance using a horse-shaped plate, yelled out “Yui yui.”
Webcam(Kokusai Street)
