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January 5, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On January 5, the Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB) held a New Year’s Convention for Okinawan tourism at the Pacific Hotel Okinawa in Naha. About 1,000 people related to the Okinawan tourism industry and the Okinawa Prefectural Government took part in the convention. They prayed for the further development of Okinawan tourism.
Yoshiyuki Uehara, the head of the bureau said, “Okinawan tourism grew steadily last year. I expect more travel demand from economically growing Asian countries neighboring Okinawa.” Uehara went on to say, “We have to aim for not only increasing the number of tourists visiting Okinawa but also creating high-quality tourist spots in Okinawa, which will be attractive internationally.”
In his guest speech, Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga said, “We have put forward an Asian economic strategy for this year. We would like to promote Okinawa, which is poised to become an international logistics hub linked with the information and communication industry and the international tourism industry in the future years.”
Music producer Eisho Higa, the vocalist of BEGIN, performed Okinawa tourism’s promotional song “Ichariba Yui,” which was created to warmly welcome foreign tourists visiting Okinawa. The event also introduced Miss Okinawa 2015.
(English translation by T&CT)
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January 3, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo
On January 1, about 200 people gathered at Matsuda Nuhama beach in Henoko, Nago, where the governments of Japan and the United States plan to construct a replacement base for U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, to watch the first sunrise of 2015. Nago Mayor Susumu Inamine and other participants made offerings for the first sunrise. The mayor said, “I will end the Henoko issue this year.”
At 7 a.m., when the light of the sun illuminated sandy beach and clouds, the participants joined their hands in prayer toward the morning sun. Citizens who are opposingthe construction of the new base performed Kagiyadefu, Tinsagu nu hana and other Ryukyu Classical music and folk songs to celebrate the New Year. At the end of the ceremony, all the participants enjoyed Kachashi dance.
Eiji Shimabukuro (third from right), a holder of the Important Intangible Cultural Property Kumiodori and his colleague musicians perform while watching the first sunrise on January 1, Henoko, Nago.
The mayor smiled as he spoke to the participants in Okinawan dialect, “A good new year.” “2014 was the year when your will and effort blossomed in the elections, starting from Nago mayoral race and ending in the election of the House of Representatives. We want the year of 2015 to become the year when the flowers will bear fruits. I will end the Henoko issue. So shall we go forward together, side by side?” he asked the participants.
Rie Yogi, who took part in the gathering from Nakagusuku with her one-year-old son Ryota, said, “Here is a very beautiful beach, which remains still in its natural state. I would like to leave it for my son and future generations. This feeling has become strong in my mind.”
Artists perform to wish peaceful year
At the gathering, Eiji Shimabukuro, 72, who is a holder of Kumiodori, designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property by the government, performed Kagiyadefu to wish for a peaceful year. He is the nephew-in-law of Fumiko Shimabukuro, an elder sit-in leaders against the new base construction. Eiji said, “I was moved singing in front of the clean sea. I want to leave it to the next generations.”
Eiji Shimabukuro has taken part in the sit-in protest three times. He supported Inamine’s stance against the new U.S. air base in the mayoral election. After he played sanshin and songs, he said, “I boil over with rage thinking that nature will be destroyed to build a base. We should not permit such wonderful sea to be bought with money. ”
Yoshiyasu Iha, an activist against the new U.S. base, asked his acquaintances and friends to take part in this music event.
(English translation by T&CT)
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January 5, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo
On January 5, Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga made his New Year greeting to government staff members over an office broadcast. In order to realize his pledge from the gubernatorial campaign, he said he would appeal “firmly to [public and governments] in Japan and abroad”. He said, “I will not allow to build a new U.S. base in Henoko. I want to discuss this issue with the governments of Japan and the United States.” During the gubernatorial race held in November 2014, Onaga pledged to block the plan to construct a U.S. base in Henoko, Nago, as a replacement for U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. The governor highlighted that he will seek a cancellation of the plan to move the Futenma base to Henoko from both governments, and believes it is possible.
The governments have been carrying out the relocation work despite the result of the election. The governor reiterated his policy, saying, “On behalf of all Okinawan people, with a single purpose based on the spirit of the petition, we would like to move the Futenma base to another place outside of Okinawa in Japan or abroad.”
The petition was adopted at the Okinawa Prefectural Citizens’ Rally Against Osprey Deployment held on September 9, 2012. More than 100,000 citizens took part in the rally. It seeks from the governments of Japan and the United States closure and removal of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, and asks that they renounce the plan to relocate it within the prefecture. The petition bears the signatures of the mayors of all 41 municipalities of Okinawa, the representatives of the Mayor Association, Town and Village Assemblies, Chairman’s Council of the Municipal Assembly, the Chairman’s Council of the Town and Village Assembly, various parties in the Prefectural Assembly, and the rally executive committee.
This year marks the 70-year anniversary of the end of World War Two. The governor said, “I would like to show my respect for our predecessors who have contributed to the development of Okinawa. They have endured hardships beyond description. I will do everything to realize ‘richness with pride’, the slogan of the gubernatorial election. I want to make this year a milestone for the first year of dramatic development of Okinawa.”
(English translation by T&CT)
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December 24, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On December 23, the “Island-Wide Council for Leading to the Future and Realizing the Okinawa Statement” held its first general assembly. The council was formed by citizens and intellectuals from Okinawan politics, industry, workforce and citizens’ groups that oppose the relocation of the U.S military’s Futenma Air Station to Henoko, Nago. After the overwhelming victory of anti-relocation candidate Takeshi Onaga, who won by a margin of 100,000 votes in the gubernatorial elections in November, the organization decided on their direction for 2015. Actions planned include a direct appeal to United Nations human rights organizations explaining Okinawa’s current situation where the relocation plan is being forced through, and a visit to the United States to lobby for popular support.
About 120 people, including Governor Onaga, Island-Wide Council representatives, and municipal assembly members attended the meeting. They declared, “The Island-Wide Council’s anti-relocation movement has moved to the next stage.” Representatives of the council will visit the other 46 prefectures over six months, directly appealing to local assemblies and media about Okinawa’s situation in order to garner domestic support and awareness.
After the assembly, prefectural assemblyman Yoshikazu Tamaki, a member of the Island-Wide Council executive staff, said, “Preparations are under way to meet with people related to the United Nations in early January. We would like to carry out our appeal to the United Nations as well as the visit to the United States as soon as possible – at the latest in six months.”
The council has been organizing bus trips to support the citizens staging sit-in protests in Henoko. Two buses depart every Monday from in front of the Prefectural Office in Naha. In addition, they have announced plans to start the same buses from Okinawa City every Saturday starting on January 24.
The council executive staff members plan to increase the number of ordinary members from the current 1,229 to 10,000. Requests for opinions on the organizing of a citizens’ rally, and continued support of the sit-in protests at Henoko were also heard during the general assembly.
(English translation by T&CT and Lima Tokumori)
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December 28, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On December 19 at live house Seventh Heaven in Okinawa City, a party to celebrate the awarding of the Okinawa Cultural Merit Award to Katsuhiro Kawamitsu, an Okinawan Rock legend known as “Bearded Kat-chan,” was held. Receiving the award from the rock world for the first time, Kat-chan was praised as a monument to the city, and a national treasure. Kat-chan entertained the audience with a unique speech.
Kat-chan is the vocalist of “Condition Green” and regularly performs at annual Peaceful Love Rock Festival. He is a popular rock musician nationwide.
At the celebrations, Takashi Furugen, a representative of the Koza Live House Liaison Council, said, “When we started, rock was considered delinquent music. Now it has become a cultural merit. It is very wonderful.” Choken Fukuhara, the city council chair, also congratulated Kat-chan and said, ” Kat-chan and I were classmates at Koza High School. I came here because I am very happy for him.”
Receiving many compliments, Kat-chan replied, “Are you praising me?” and made the audience laugh with his unique speech. He also performed several famous songs and his original songs, entertaining the audience.
(English translation by T&CT and Megumi Chibana)
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January 1, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo
This year is the year of the Sheep in Chinese astrology. Two sheep from a pasture in Kyushu have joined the Okinawa Zoo and Museum in Okinawa City. One is a two-year-old male and the other is four-year-old female.
The sheep have 100 percent natural wool and adorable eyes. Being pack animals, they always huddle close when feeding on grass.
The sheep will be shown to the public at the zoo’s Fureai Open Space from the end of January. Yuko Tsuchida who is in charge of the open space, said, “The sheep’s voice is deeper than a goat’s voice. I hope many people will visit to see the sheep.”
The sheep’s names are not yet decided. The zoo will start accepting name suggestions from the general public from January 2 to 4. Visitors can put suggestions into ballot boxes at the zoo.
The sheep are horn-less Corriedale sheep and were born in the United Kingdom.
Zoo staff member Akari Shinjo said, “I am concerned about body temperature change in the animals during the summer because I heard that sheep are vulnerable to heat and humidity.
The zoo is holding an Oriental Zodiac exhibit that has an explanation of features of sheep in a special exhibition room. It goes until January 31.
(English translation by T&CT)
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December 25, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On December 23, a meeting was held in Naha to set up the Nuchi du Takara Society (tentative). The society will work towards getting the concept of ‘Nuchi du Takara’ nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Nuchi du Takara is Okinawan dialect for ‘life is a treasure’. The Cornerstone of Peace in Itoman is a monument to this idea. The committee will be set up by June 23, 2015. It aims to spread the idea of Nuchi du Takara to the world. Members of the committee hope that Okinawan people, who have inherited this pacifism idea, will be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Masaie Ishihara, an emeritus professor at Okinawa International University who took part in the meeting, said, “There is no other monument in the world that inscribes names of war victims without discriminating between allies and foes.”
The members invite peace activist groups and individuals in Okinawa to take part in the Nuchi du Takara Society.
Kenta Higa said, “By making the Cornerstone of Peace the backbone of the movement, we should be able to carry on the memory of people who lost in the war.”
(English translation by T&CT, Hitomi Shinzato)
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December 30, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
The Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany Ingo Karsten visited Ginoza Village for the first time to see a production titled “1914-1918 The First World War Collage – Nie Wieder Krieg (Never War Again)” on December 28. This drama, which depicts a German sculptor who lost his son in the war, was performed on December 27 and 28 in Ginoza. Karsten met with Ginoza Mayor Atsushi Toma and received a briefing about the village’s industry and the U.S. military base issue from the mayor.
The Counsul General showed interest in the U.S. military base issue and the result of the gubernatorial election. The mayor said, “Many villagers are opposed to the government’s plan to move U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station to Henoko, Nago, near Ginoza, despite the income from land rent fees for U.S. military use, which accounts for about 25 percent of all the revenue of the village.”
Karsten said, “The German government is interested in politics and economic development in Okinawa.” Mayor Toma, who is a politician from Okinawa’s post war generation, said, “This drama will help us understand fear of war.” The consul general agreed with his opinion, saying that this event will enhance people’s understanding fear of war.
After his interview with the mayor, Karsten said to reporters, referring to the history of Germany after World War I, “War is the most dangerous threat of all. My message is that we should avoid war.”
(English translation by T&CT)
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December 28, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On December 27, the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium opened its “Oriental Zodiac Aquarium,” which is held every year. This year is the year of the Sheep in Chinese astrology. About 200 fish named after brightly-colored sheep, swam in tanks at the aquarium. The exhibit, which fascinated visitors, was held until January 4.
In keeping with a theme of vividness, the aquarium collected brightly-colored red, blue and yellow fish living around coral reefs in Okinawa, such as Amethyst anthias, blue dameselfish, and blue-green puller. Marine organisms that include the word “sheep” in their Chinese-character names, such as Manybar goatfish and comatulid, were also displayed. The fish were swimming animatedly in the columnar aquarium.
Breeding staff member Hiroshi Ashida said, “We have added to the illumination to make the fish look vivid. The aquarium looked even more dazzling on New Year’s Day, when extra decoration was added. I would like many people to visit the aquarium, which will make people enjoy the New Year Holidays.”
(English translation by T&CT)
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December 21, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
The Shuri Tonokura Community Association held a Nubi dedicatory ceremony at Shuri Castle on December 28. As part of the ceremony, people traditionally took water from the Heduukka River in Kunigami and presented it to the Ryukyu Kingdom’s authorities in Shuri. The ceremony was re-enacted in 1998 and the participants used to travel by bus to transport the water from the Heduukka River. This is the first time participants have run the 115 kilometer stretch from Heduukka to Shuri Castle to bring water by hand to Shuri castle. About 70 participants took part in the run.
On this occasion, about 40 people, including local residents in officials’ costumes, noro or female oracles and female officials, paraded from the Shuri Community Center to the castle. At the back of the castle’s main temple, the officials presented the water to the Amoshirare or high-ranking female oracle. The local residents and tourists watched the stately performance of the ceremony.
Aiko Kinjo, who took part in the parade for the first time, said, “Although I have lived in Shuri for a long time, this was the first time for me to join the ceremony. I want to value this experience.”
(English translation by T&CT)
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January 3, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo
On January 2, the Okinawa Police Station arrested a 23-year-old second class-ranking staff sergeant, based at Kadena Air Base, on suspicion of trespassing. He was sent to the public prosecutor’s office. According to the police station, the suspect denies the charges.
The suspect’s breath smelled of alcohol, but he refused an alcohol test.
On December 9, U.S Forces in Japan eased its ‘liberty policy,’ which is the off-base code of conduct for U.S service members and its civilian personnel on Okinawa during off-duty hours, alleging the number of incidents and accidents involving U.S. military personnel had decreased. The Okinawa Prefectural Assembly adopted a resolution asking the U.S military commander in Okinawa to rescind the easing of the policy.
After the U.S. military notified the Okinawa Prefectural Government about the change to the code of conduct measures on November 26, eight incidents involving U.S. service members under the influence of alcohol have taken place.
The suspect entered an apartment uninvited in Okinawa City at 4:04 a.m. on January 1.
According to the police station, the resident of the apartment, who is a construction worker, woke up after hearing the suspect’s cell-phone ringing. He then found the soldier asleep next to him in the bedroom. It appeared the suspect entered the room through the unlocked front door.
(English translation by T&CT)
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