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December 4, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On the morning of December 4, damage was caused by a wind gust in Tomigusuku and Uruma. No human damage was reported.
According to the Tomigusuku Police Station, strong winds have bent more than 20 pillars at Seaside Golf Club in the Yone district of Tomigusuku.
The pillars were bent towards the golf course site, which was within a 200 meter radius of them. The staff of the golf course said, “I think the pillars were bent around 8:30 a.m. It was difficult to predict the wind gust. We could not take measures for it.”
According to the Uruma City Fire Station Headquarters, the gust blew outdoor tents around Sea Station Ayahashi museum at the Mid-Sea Road in Uruma. The tents were blown into cars.
In the predawn hours on the same day, the Okinawa Meteorological Observatory issued a strong wind warning for the entire area of the main island of Okinawa.
A wind gust of up to 30.4 kilometers per hour was recorded in Naha at 8:39 a.m.
(English translation by T&CT)
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November 30, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On November 29, the Kariyushi Group started an event decorated with 1.4 million illumination lights at the Okinawa Kariyushi Beach Resort Ocean Spa and Spa Resort Exes in Onna. It is the largest amount of illuminations in Okinawa, a spokesperson at the hotel said. The lighting ceremony was held at the pool side of the hotel. This event will be held until June 30 next year and admission is free.
On January 11, aTahitian dance and music show will be held. Various live music performances are scheduled for the event. For further details on the event, call Kariyushi Beach Resort Ocean Spa (phone) 098 (967) 8731.
(English translation by T&CT)
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November 27, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On November 27, the Great Okinawa Trade Fair, one of Japan`s biggest international business meetings for food industries, opened at the Okinawa Convention Centre and Ginowan City Gymnasium. A total of 363 companies, including buyers, took part in the fair from inside and outside of the country. Eighty-six companies from Okinawa and 115 companies from mainland Japan promoted their products to the buyers.
At the opening ceremony, Kazumichi Sakamoto, vice-minister of the Cabinet Office, said, “Okinawa is located in the center of Asia, an excellent location. It is significant that we have the business meeting here. I hope that the trade fair will enable Okinawa to share its charms with the world.”
(English translation by T&CT, Hitomi Shinzato)
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December 10, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On December 10, at an inauguration press conference held at the prefectural government office, new Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga vowed to fulfill his pledge. He ran the gubernatorial race on a platform to oppose the relocation of U.S. Marine Corp Air Station Futenma to Henoko, Nago, and push for it to be moved outside of Okinawa in Japan or abroad. With regard to repealing and cancelling the former Governor Hirokazu Nakaima’s approval of Henoko landfill, he said, “I will decide it after looking into whether there is any legal defect in the process of his approval. I want to seek the opinion of legal experts.”
Onaga said, “Next year will mark 70 years since the Battle of Okinawa. I was elected to the post of governor at a major milestone in history to open a new page. I take it very seriously. I will confront the present difficulties with my full power. “He also stressed that Okinawa would be a bridge between Japan and Asian countries, and that he would work for the development of Okinawa.
(English translation by T&CT)
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November 26, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On November 25, 17 Non-Government Organisations focused on the environment, human rights, and peace, released a joint statement against the construction of a new, replacement military facility in Henoko. The statement refers to the Ramsar Convention, asking for the protection of the Henoko Coast and Oura Bay. In October, the secretariat of the Ramsar Convention, which internationally promotes the protection of important wetlands, requested the Ministry of Environment provide information about the environmental impacts of landfill for the military base, and what, if any, countermeasures are being planned for the preservation of Henoko and Oura Bay. The groups asked the ministry to respond sincerely to the request from the secretariat.
In the statement, the groups asked that Oura Bay at Henoko would be recognized as an internationally important wetland based on the Ramsar Strategic Plan 2009-2015. The statement also seeks the protection of vulnerable ecosystems such as coral reefs and seagrass meadows based on Aichi Target Goal 10.
The groups behind the statement include the Ramsar Network Japan, the Nature Conservation Society of Japan, the Wild Bird Society of Japan, the World Wide Fund for Nature Japan, the Okinawa Environmental Network, the Okinawa Peace Network, and the Japan Environmental Lawyers Federation. On the 25th, they sent the statement to the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, the Okinawa Prefectural Government, and Nago City.
On October 29, the Ramsar Convention Secretariat requested the Ministry of Environment provide information about the environmental impact assessment and carry out preservative measures on Henoko Coast and Oura Bay. The secretariat also pointed out the importance of protecting coral reef ecosystems and the endangered Okinawan dugong.
(English translation by T&CT and Megumi Chibana)
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November 27, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
Night-time illumination has started at the American Village in Mihama, Chatan, giving the town boost. A lighting ceremony was held in front of Carnival Park Mihama Ferris wheel on November 21.
In lighting up the area, the town has started a promotional sales campaign for foreign tourists.
Mainly targeting tourists from Taiwan, the town has worked on increasing sales from tourism while working with store owners of the commercial avenue this year.
At the lighting ceremony, Chatan Town Mayor Masaharu Noguni said, “I would like many people to enjoy this beautiful night view of the area.”
Various art crafts are placed at the venue.
The illumination will run until February 28 2015. During the time, the town plans to hold events such as live street performances and trick arts.
Nobutaka Tokito, the head of the Mihama American Village Business Operator Association hosting the event, said, “I would like visitors to enjoy the best atmosphere.”
As part of the consumer promotion for foreign tourists coinciding with the illumination, the town will advertise the event on newspapers and websites targeted at Taiwanese consumers.
(English translation by T&CT)
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December 1, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
The fourth Sugar Ride Kumejima took place at Ojima on November 30. Cyclists enjoyed touring around Kumejima Town, where nature is in abundance.
Over the 125 kilometer-Challenge course, the participants did three laps of the island. For the 90 kilometer-Athlete course, they did two laps. In the 45 kilometer-Tourist course, the cyclists went around the island once. The event had 107 participants, with 103 people completing the courses.
The courses included a long slope to Ue Gusuku castle ruin and Teada Bridge, which has a glorious view of the island. The participants enjoyed cycling around the island.
Reno Hamamoto, who took part in the 45 kilometer-Tourist course with her friends, and completed it, said, “I rediscovered the charms of the island through cycling.”
(English translation by T&CT)
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November 30, 2014 Wu Li Jun of Ryukyu Shimpo
Hong Kong’s major investing company First Eastern Investment Group, one of low-cost carrier Peace Aviation’s key shareholders, is planning to invest in Okinawan hotel and entertainment industries. The head of the company Victor L.L. Chu, who visited Okinawa to take part in Peace Aviation’s board meeting, explained the plan to the Ryukyu Shimpo on November 29.
The decision to invest in Okinawa came about as a result of a steady increase in Chinese tourists including Hong Kongers coming to the island.
The investing company plans to buy existing hotels, and build new ones, mainly in Naha and Ishigaki Island.
These hotels will be targeted at Chinese tourists. The company is carrying out a market survey on Okinawa.
The number of Chinese tourists to Okinawa is expected to increase. The company plans to increase the number of Peach Aviation flights between Okinawa and Hong Kong to four times per week from next February. It plans to eventually increase the number to several times a day.
Chu already visited Okinawa last year and toured around the hotels. He said, “Many tourists have visited Okinawa. I would like to introduce Chinese-style coffee shops and staff who can speak Chinese, to the hotels in which my company will invest.”
The First Eastern Investment Group holds 30 percent of Peach Aviation’s shares and has about 200 investment projects worldwide. The company carries out half of its projects in 51 Chinese cities and the rest in Europe, Middle East, and the United States. It invests in infrastructure projects on roads, electricity, and water. They also extensively invest in manufacturing, financial, aviation, and hotel industries.
(English translation by T&CT)
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November 27, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On November 26, the Science Council of Japan (SCJ) proposed a plan to set up national natural history museums in Okinawa and Tohoku. The museums will be hubs for the study of natural history, and will continually collect and preserve artefacts such as fossil remains. The SCJ has included the plan in the master plan for a large-scale academic research project it will propose to the central government.
Currently, the National Museum of Nature and Science is the only hub for natural history studies in Japan. As the Great East Japan Earthquake hit museums located in the Tohoku area, the government acknowledged the need to spread the museums across different regions. To support earthquake disaster reconstruction, they have chosen Tohoku. Okinawa has been chosen for its biodiversity.
Keiichi Matsuura, an emeritus researcher at the National Museum of Nature and Science, who took part in designing the plan, said, “Okinawa is abundant with marine life and biodiversity, which we have attached a high value to. We think the prefecture is favorably situated.” Akihiro Takemura, professor at the University of the Ryukyus said, “There are few researchers and staff who are involved in academia related to natural history in Okinawa. I think the plan could contribute to human resource development.”
The plan also suggests setting up a “research center for biodiversity in international coral reef waters,” which would be equipped with a research museum and a large-scale field experiment facility.
(English translation by T&CT)
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November 24, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
Elisa Mary Higa Morikawa and Bruna Mariko Oshiro are students from a training project for descendants of Okinawan migrants to South American countries. They have been selected for the program for the fiscal year of 2014 organized by Urasoe City. On November 17, they took part in an after-school session for students at Urasoe City Miyagi Elementary School. They interacted with pupils through a workshop on South American toys and karuta, traditional Japanese playing cards.
Elisa is a fourth generation Okinawan Peruvian and Bruna is fifth generation Okinawan Brazilian. They introduced themselves to an audience of pupils from the first to fourth grade, and told the story of their ancestors moving to South American countries from Okinawa.
After that, Bruna taught them how to make a Brazilian toy Vai E Vem. Elisa brought playing cards with Spanish words and the pupils studied the Spanish while playing.
Learning that Vaca means cow and Ajo means garlic in Spanish (both mean “stupid” in Japanese), the pupils had a good laugh.
Bruna said, “We are learning about Okinawan culture as part of the study project. We would like to teach Okinawan people about our cultures. I think the pupils learned about our ancestors.” Elisa said, “Okinawan people all welcome us and are warmhearted. I really enjoy staying in Okinawa.”
(English translation by T&CT)
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November 29, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On November 28, the Okinawa Police Station arrested a 30-year old first class-ranking staff sergeant, who is based at Kadena Air Base, on suspicion of trespassing. According to the police station, the suspect entered a room on the second floor of an apartment uninvited at Kitamae, Chatan, at 2:40 a.m. on November 28. The suspect was drunk when he was arrested. A large amount of alcohol was detected on his breath. It is not known whether the suspect had been drinking inside or outside the base.
The incident took place just days after the U.S. forces in Okinawa reported to the Okinawa Prefectural Government on November 26 that it would ease the ban for service members who stay out and drink off base, with the policy being effective from December 9. The military said incidents and accidents involving the US military had decreased due to an off-duty action guideline or ‘ liberty policy’ for the service members.
According to the police station, when a resident heard a sound in his apartment, he found the soldier asleep in the living room and called police officers.
(English translation by T&CT)
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