Orion Beer has started a campaign to raise funds for the construction of a commercial facility called “Hawaii Okinawa Plaza” led by the Hawaii United Okinawa Association (HUO). The campaign aims to donate one yen per bottle of sales revenue from “Orion Draft Beer.” One yen for every bottle of large (633 ml), middle (500 ml), and small (334 ml) Orion beer shipped from March 2 to June 30 will be donated. During the campaign, middle-size bottles will have an original label “For perpetuation and development of Okinawan culture.”
On March 6, Ryota Higa of Orion Beer International Sales Division visited the Ryukyu Shimpo office. Higa asked for cooperation on the campaign, saying, “As a growing manufacturing industry in an international market, we hope to connect our business to supporting overseas Okinawans.”
The construction of Hawaii Okinawa Plaza is scheduled to start in August. The revenue from the Plaza will be used for the management expense of HUOA’s operating base Hawaii Okinawa Center. One hundred million yen out of a total construction cost of five hundred million yen will be covered by donations from Okinawa. The Hawaii Okinawa Plaza Construction Fund-raising Promotion Committee is the contact point in Okinawa.
Asami Ginoza Secretary-General and Kazuo Uechi Undersecretary-General of the Promotion Committee also called for donations. They said that right after the war, Okinawan residents received tremendous support from Okinawans in Hawaii and they would like to show their gratitude. To donate, call the Promotion Committee at 098 (897) 0116.
After 67 years of its history, pioneering Okinawan restaurant Nanpu in Kabuki-Cho, Shinjuku, Tokyo will close at the end of this month. The 68-year old owner Kiyomi Maeda explained, “I’m getting weak physically, and there is no one to pass this restaurant onto. I think it’s time to quit.” The traditional restaurant, which has been a home for many Okinawans in Tokyo, will no longer be open for business.
Maeda’s parents, Chishun Kadena from Motobu Town and Sachiko from Ogimi Village started the restaurant in Shinjuku when the place was still devastated from bombing raids in World War II. They struggled to collect Okinawan ingredients, and Tomoharu, a master of Sanshin, welcomed customers with Okinawan folk songs.
It was not easy to return to Okinawa for residents who lived away as the island was under U.S. military administration at that time. Okinawans missed their home and visited the restaurant. Kadena fed young hungry students and let them sleep over at the restaurant when they missed the last train. The restaurant was known as “the restaurant without business hours.” When Maeda and her siblings left their home for school as they lived on the second floor of the restaurant, they had to be careful not to step on customers on the floor who were too drunk to go home.
Nagateru Tokuyama, the chair of the Tokyo Okinawan Association, who has visited the restaurant over the past sixty years, recalled happy times at the restaurant.
“I learned Sanshin from the uncle and slept on the floor. This place was a place of comfort for many Uchinanchu.”
Maeda became the owner of the restaurant in 1982 after building a career as a singer and actress with the stage name Kiyomi Kadena. She managed to keep the restaurant open when the area was targeted by land sharks during the economic bubble in Japan, making the restaurant one of the longest-standing businesses today in the competitive Kabuki-Cho area.
Maeda commented, “Our customers sang a big chorus of shimauta and danced Kachaashi every night. This place lasted for 67 years thanks to the Okinawans who enjoyed our restaurant.”
On March 7, a protest rally against the expansion of U.S. military training at the Ie Jima Auxiliary Airfield was held on Ie Island. U.S. Marine Corps plans to expand its MV-22 Osprey aircraft training program and begin F-35 fighter’s training. About 100 people from in and outside the village took part in the rally. They voiced their opposition, saying that the U.S. military’s new moves will increase the U.S base burden on the villagers.
The rally was held by the anti-war peace museum Nuchi-du-Takara-no-Ie. Minoru Naka, a member of the Ie village council, reported at the rally that the U.S. military has a plan to begin F-35’s training on the island. He said,” There was work carried out to move an operation support facility from Agariekami to Maja district.” He stressed, “A plan is being advanced while villagers do not know about it. We would like to unite and raise our voices in protest.”
The founder of the museum is late Shoko Ahagon, whose land was forcibly taken by the U.S. military. He dedicated his life to anti-war movements.
Etsuko Jahana of the Wabiai no Sato Foundation expressed her gratitude to the participants for their support in helping the museum reach its 30 years’ anniversary. She said, “Before Mr. Shoko Ahagon passed away, he said peace was missing. Now that almost 13 years have passed since his death, peace further eludes us. So, I assure you that he is continuing the peace movement for us in heaven.”
The vice chairman of the government’s environmental monitoring committee Seiji Azuma, 81, emeritus professor at University of the Ryukyus, has told the Okinawa Defense Bureau that he will resign. The committee has been set up to discuss environmental protection measures for the construction of a new U.S. base in Henoko, Nago. The governments of Japan and the United States plan to move U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan to the site. On March 9, Azuma informed the defense bureau of his resignation by phone.
Azuma said, “The committee cannot protect the environment. This limits my ability to follow my intentions.” He has cast doubt on the committee’s function, and the work being carried out by the bureau, because it has damaged coral with the installation of concrete blocks. The entomologist said, “Insects can only survive in the natural environment. My stance is that we should leave the nature of Okinawa for posterity.”
The committee consists of 13 members, including academics, who have held meetings behind closed doors. Environmental groups have pointed out that the government should make it open to public. A record of the proceedings of the second meeting held in June 2014 was published on the website of the defense bureau on March 9, nine months later.
The vice chairman’s signal that he will resign casts doubt over the efficacy of the monitoring committee, which has faced criticism. There have been calls for an independent panel to be set up to ensure scientific objectivity.
The Okinawa Defense Bureau has resumed a marine boring survey as part of offshore construction work for the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to the Henoko district of Nago. On March 12, Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine spoke to the press. Inamine said, “The Japanese government has hailed former Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima’s approval of the Henoko landfill as gospel. Why is the government acting so unreasonably as to ignore the current governor’s opposition against the construction?” He added, “The Japanese government is acting for their own convenience. What is going on in Okinawa?” Inamine strongly criticized the Japanese government for forcing through the Henoko landfill by ignoring Okinawan people’s will, manifested in the gubernatorial election.
Concrete blocks, which the Okinawa Defense Bureau installed to secure floats and buoys, have damaged coral at several locations in the temporary restricted area of Oura Bay, Nago. The Okinawa Prefectural Government asked to enter into the area to investigate the case, however, the U.S. military rejected the request, saying the investigation hinders the operation of U.S. Marine Camp Schwab. Referring to this, Inamine said,” The bureau is carrying out offshore operation in the area. Why did the U.S. military claim the prefectural government’s investigation would hinder its operation?” He added, “The U.S. military appears to be preventing the Okinawa Prefectural Government from carrying out its investigation.”
Around 10:30 p.m. on March 12, the Okinawa Defense Bureau resumed a marine boring survey for the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to the Henoko district of Nago. Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga requested the bureau not resume the operation while the Okinawa Prefectural Government (OPG) is reviewing former Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima’s approval of the landfill.
However, the bureau ignored the request and forced through continuation of the
survey. The survey was halted since last September due to the Okinawa gubernatorial and Lower House elections. This is the first time the bureau has carried out seabed drilling in six months. The bureau moved a large spud barge, which was installed in the temporary restricted area of Camp Schwab adjacent to the planned relocation area, to a survey spot towards Oura Bay. Floats and buoys marking out a restricted area were installed in Oura Bay to prevent access to news reporters and protestors. With Japan Coast Guard patrolling the area, and the bureau cruising around, the excavation survey resumed.
Surveys at seven locations in the shallow water and five places on the land have already been completed. The bureau plans to carry out further survey excavation in 12 deep-water areas.
The spud barge is a simply-built platform with four pillars. In order to carry out the survey in deep water areas, the bureau shipped construction materials, including pillars for the survey, on February 21. While the defense bureau’s initial deadline for completion of the boring survey was March 31, it will extend the working period due to the delays.
In the regular meeting of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly held on February 27, Okinawa Govenor Takeshi Onaga said, “Investigating the situation from various angles, and using the gubernatorial authority, I have unflagging resolve to stop the new base construction.”
On the evening of March 4, 14-year-old Indian elephant Ryuka gave birth to a baby girl weighing 100 kilograms at the Okinawa Zoo and Museum. This is the first elephant born in Okinawa and the 10th in Japan.
Ryuka started having contractions at 7:00 p.m. on March 4, and gave birth to a baby at 9:40 p.m. The baby elephant is 85 centimeters in height, 96 centimeters in length, and weighs about 100 kilograms. At 5:10 a.m. on March 5, the baby was feeding on her mother.
Both the mother and baby are doing well. The baby will make it’s first public appearance early April, if all goes well.
According to the zoo, it is the first time a Japanese zoo has successfully raised an elephant to childbearing age and collected data on the processes of mating,
pregnancy, and birth, including hormone balance.
March 9, 2015 Ricardo Oshiro, Ryukyu Shimpo correspondent
Mukaito Taiko, which was the first ensemble taiko drumming group to be formed in Argentina, has performed to a packed-out audience, to mark the 20th anniversary of its foundation. The group performed in Buenos Aires, Argentina at Maipo theater, a 750 plus-capacity venue. The event was sold out.
Corrientes Avenue, near where the performance took place, is called the “South American Broadway” because it is a hub of musical theater.
In 1994, Monica Higa and Claudia Toma, who studied taiko in Okinawa, went to Argentina and started promoting taiko. Mukaito Taiko originated in Kitanaka gusuku, where Higa and Toma studied taiko. During that time, they visited Argentina, and donated many musical instruments to the country. From there, the first ensemble taiko group was formed in Argentina. The group is made up of 22 Argentines, including people of Japanese descent.
The performance was held under the title “Travel for continuing dreams.” The event organizer paid tribute to Okinawans, who migrated to Argentina to follow hopes and dreams. The group members pledged from their hearts to continue working to pass on Okinawan traditional music and culture.
Former members of the group took part in the event, bringing the number of performers to over 50. The drummers continuously appeared on stage and played 16 songs. As well as traditional songs such as Danju kariyushi and Takiotoshi, songs composed by the former member Victor Martinez, were played.
Okinawan Taiko artist Hideto Chinen took part as a special guest. Chinen’s powerful performances enthralled the audience.
The 33rd Higashi Village Azalea Festival has kicked off at the Higashi Sonmin no Mori Tsutsuji Park on March 1. Although the flowers have been slower to bloom than in previous years, with the most of the plants in the park only partly flowering, some were blooming in bright red and pink colors. The best time to view the flower is in the middle of this month, according to park staff. Visitors searched for blooming flowers, and enjoyed the coming of spring.
There are about 50,000 Azalea plants in the 4.5 hectare park. Visitors enjoyed taking photographs and strolling around the flower beds. Hidemasa Ikema from Ginowan City, a 58-year old visitor, is looking forward to the blooming. Ikema said, “Now is not the best time to see he flowers, compared to last year. Maybe, I will visit again.”
The festival will be on until the 22nd of this month, and visitors can observe the flowers until the 29th. The entrance fee is 300 yen for high school students and adults. There are also stage events and other activities planned for weekends during the festival period.
A collision occurred when the Japan Coast Guard (JCG)’s special guard and rescue craft “Arutairu,” was chasing a rubber boat carrying two citizens protesting against the construction of a new offshore U.S. air base in Henoko to replace Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.
At 12:08 p.m. on March 10, two protest boats carrying the citizens went beyond the floats marking a restricted area in the sea off the cost of Sedake, Nago. Surrounded by boats carrying coast guard officers, one of the protest boats retreated to the left corner of the temporary restricted area, which was observed by a Ryukyu Shimpo reporter. Another protest boat stayed within the right side of the floats, and citizens jumped off it in protest. The JCG’s boats rushed in to pull the citizens out of the water. While the JCG’s boats focused on the two protest boats, a small boat carrying citizens went beyond the floats, moving parallel to the floats.
Eight seconds before the collision, Arutairu, which was facing the protest boat moving towards it, moved straight towards the boat carrying the Ryukyu Shimpo reporter. And then the JCG’s craft shifted course towards the boat carrying the citizens. It pursued the citizens as they sped away in their boat. The JCG’s craft appeared to slow down in a split second before hitting the boat. According to the JCG website, Arutairu is 10-meters long and 2.7-meter wide, weighing five tons.
On March 10, in Oura Bay, Nago, the Japan Coast Guard (JCG)’s special guard and rescue craft collided with a rubber boat carrying two activists protesting against new U.S. base construction. The JCG chased the protesters’ rubber boat, which crossed over the boundary marking temporally restricted area. The bow of the craft rode on a man riding at the rear of the boat. He was not seriously injured, but he complained of pain in his left shoulder, “I thought I might be crushed in the clash.”
Soon after crossing over the boundary, marked by a line of buoys, the boat turned around and went straight in the opposite direction of Camp Schwab. The JCG’s craft turned its course towards the right to chase the boat and hit it. The coast guard officers detained the two protesters. They were released at 1:00 p.m. When the boat crossed over, the Okinawa Defense Bureau was not carrying out a preparation for base construction.
An official from the 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters issued the following statement; “When our small craft was tracking the rubber boat, the two rapidly approached near each other. A man claimed that our craft touched his shoulder. The officers asked him whether he was injured, and if he requested ambulance transport. However, he did not respond to the questions. He did not seemed to be injured.”
The official declined to comment on whether the JCG’s craft deliberately rammed into the protester’s boat. “We responded to an illegal action in order to ensure security on the sea from the view of law enforcement,” the official said.
On the same day, a woman jumped into the sea in the restricted area to protest. A coast guard officer grasped her shoulder and forcibly pushed her under the water. Her head was repeatedly plunged into the water. An official of the JCG denied it, saying, “It is not fact that an officer pushed her head under water. He lifted her up on the boat for her safety.”
The Okinawa Defense Bureau, using large construction ships, has installed an oil fence on Oura Bay. The oil fence, floats and a float bridge surround the coastline, stretching from Camp Schwab to the Henokozaki cape.
In front of Camp Schwab, members of citizen groups gathered to keep guard on the arrival of construction vehicles.
Webcam(Kokusai Street)
