July 24, 2014 Wu Li Jun of the Ryukyu Shimpo
Medical corporation Tapic Group plans to change its Yuinchi Hotel Nanjo to medical tourist facility. They will build an annex to house a new rehabilitation facility and clinic on hotel property. It will open in April 2017.
The hotel annex will be a seven-story building of a total floor area of 5,500 square meters. It has 71 guest rooms, which are all western-style with ocean views. Targeted customers are long-stay travelers from overseas. It aims to be the first hotel with medical facility in Okinawa. A bridge will connect between the hotel annex and the main hotel building.
The total cost of the project will be about 100 million yen.
The rehabilitation and clinic facility will be a single-story building of a total floor area of about 500 square meters. A doctor and nurse will be present at all times.
Tapic Group also has a vision to build 25-story building after 2025. They aim to invite famous hotels from overseas. They also plan to build a hotel annex, rehabilitation facility, a clinic, a school for medical professions, hospital, and residential houses in the area.
Yoshikazu Miyazato, the representative for Tapic Group, said, “We would like to actively attract tourists from overseas and develop Nanjo city as a center of health.”
(English translated by T&CT, Hitomi Shinzato)
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July 27, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) announced on July 26 that there is possibly presence of a hydrothermal deposit under the sea off the coast of Iheya Island. JAMSTEC speculates that this hydrothermal deposit is the largest one of those ever found near Okinawa. The location of the hydrothermal deposit is at North Knoll, Iheya Ridge, about 150 kilometers off the coast northwest of Naha. The survey results suggest the deposits span a wide area in three locations in the sea knoll. There is a possibility that the hydrothermal deposits include seabed resources such as lead and zinc.
The survey was carried out during the period from July 14 to 26 using the deep sea drilling vessel Chikyu, which is 210 meters long and weighs 56,752 tons. JAMSTEC carried out the survey using Logging While Drilling (LWD) technique, which is able to analyze viscosity and composition of geological formation. They drilled between 150 and 350 meters below the seabed at six locations of three hydrothermal deposits. They also collected minerals at two locations of six drilling places. JAMSTEC speculates this hydrothermal deposit spans about five kilometers from north to south and around 3-3.5 kilometers from east to west. The nature of the materials collected at six different locations is similar.
On July 26, at Nakagusuku Port, JAMSTEC's deep sea drilling vessel Chikyu came to an anchor.
Ken Takai, a researcher of JAMSTEC said, “We can almost prove the presence of a hydrothermal deposit in an area stretching from east to west. However, we need to do further research because the number of drilling points is not enough. We want to continue working on it into next year. He added, “The data acquired by the logging-while drilling (LWD) systems was almost the same as that of the actual minerals collected by drilling. The LWD is a cutting edge technology that will have a major impact on the development of hydrothermal deposit-searching.”
(English translation by T&CT)
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July 27, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
Japanese company Kaiyodo which is known for figurines and garage kits worldwide, held a figure exhibit at the special hall on the third floor of Tomarin (Tomari Port Terminal) in Naha.
Organizers displayed over 4,000 figures created by the company. The exhibit will be held until September 7.
It displayed life-size figures of Fist of the North Star character Kenshiro, Ultraman characters and Neon Genesis Evangelion character Rei Ayanami from popular Japanese manga and anime, as well as some palm-sized figures. The fantasy world of these characters enthralled children who attended the exhibit.
Six-year-old Eigo Miyagi said, “The figure of a dinosaur was cool.” His mother Natsuki said, “I took a photograph of Kenshiro because I used to read the manga. With such gorgeous figures lined up, I was so thrilled.”
(English translation by T&CT)
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July 24, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On July 23, Naha Mayor Takeshi Onaga stated that he would announce during a regular session of the city council slated to be held on September 8 that he will run in the gubernatorial election. The election is to be held on November 16. He will make his declaration when answering a question from the representative of the Shimpu faction of the Liberal Democratic Party in the city council. Meanwhile, on July 23, staff of the incumbent governor Hirokazu Nakaima, who is preparing for his announcement in early August, decided he would announce his decision to run for a third time on August 7. Onaga plans to resign from his position as mayor after the regular meeting of the city council at the end of September.
In addition to the request from the Liberal Democratic Party’s Shimpu faction, a voluntary group of business-persons, including the chairman of the Kanehide Group Morimasa Goya and Kariyushi Group CEO Chokei Taira, have expressed their support for a potential bid from Onaga.
Onaga has shown interest in running for the election behind the scenes, but has not yet made public his stance in response to requests for him to run. According to the people involved, he will make clear his decision to run in the September regular session, scheduled to begin on September 2. Later, he will resign from the post of mayor after the session is over.
The supporters’ group of Nakaima, who is affiliated with the prefectural chapter of the Liberal Democratic Party, held a staff meeting on July 23. They confirmed their plan to announce Nakaima’s third run for Governor on August 7. In addition to the prefectural party chapter and supporters’ group staff, representatives from business organizations and municipal leaders that support Nakaima, plan to be present at a press conference with the governor.
Soon after the announcement, Nakaima will report his decision to the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters and the Prime Minister’s residence. After that, he will help support the candidates running for the unified local elections in September. Nakaima will also start the “Association of Citizens of Okinawa” in the middle of August that will serve as a parent organization for his campaign during elections. He will then open his election office and announce his campaign platform .
The prefectural chapter of the Liberal Democratic Party officially stated their backing of Nakaima on July 26. The prefectural chapter’s election preparations, such as deciding to recommend Nakaima as governor and setting up the electoral offices, are progressing. Nakaima has stated that he would make the announcement “before the Bon festival on the lunar calendar (August 8 to August 10).” The prefectural party chapter and his electoral committee finalized the date of the announcement.
According to the Public Office Election Law, if Onaga steps down as mayor at the end of September, a mayoral election must be held within 50 days. Thus the likelihood of a mayoral election on November 16, on the same day as the gubernatorial election, is high.
Former State Minister in Charge of Postal Services Privatization and representative of the Political Group of Okinawa Revolution Mikio Shimoji is also considering a bid for Governor. According to the people involved, he will formally announce that he will do so at the end of July.
(English translation by T&CT and Lima Tokumori)
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July 27, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
The mayors of all municipalities in Okinawa visited Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s official residence to give him a petition requesting the U.S. and Japanese governments abandon the plan to relocate the facilities at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma within the prefecture January 2013. In order to demand that this request is met, an “all Okinawa united” rally was held at the Ginowan City Hall in the afternoon on July 27.
According to the organizer, over 2,000 people took part.
The participants denounced the systemic discrimination against Okinawa, which is symbolized by Okinawa’s disproportionate US base-hosting burden. At the rally, people resolved to unite in their bid to have the petition realized.
The U.S. and Japanese governments have begun full-scale, preliminary work for marine boring investigations in the Henoko district of Nago where the U.S. military plans to build a new base to replace Futenma Air Station. The rally was a declaration to both governments that they must not to force through the plan. All the speakers stressed the need to stop the relocation.
The hall which has a capacity of 1,200 people, was full. Those who could not enter, gathered at the lobby and outside the hall. Some of them had to go home because they could not fit into the hall.
The rally’s participants collectively resolved to work on informing people in and outside of Japan of the difficulties that Okinawa faces.
(English translation by T&CT)
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July 22, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On July 21, a group from “The 50th Tour for Davao Memorial Service and Exchange” visited the Mintal district of Davao in the Philippines to hold a memorial service in front of the Monument of Okinawa at the Japanese Cemetery. Bereaved families of the war dead took part in the ceremony and offered incense at the memorial.
Yoshihiro Yamanoha, President of the Okinawa Davao Association and born and raised in the Philippines, has attended the memorial service every year. He said, “I have a deep feeling about the 50th year of the memorial service. Our challenge is how to pass this down to children and grandchildren.”
The participants made offerings at four monuments, including the Monument of Requiescat, which has recently been built with donations the association raised.
Before World War II, many Okinawans migrated to the Philippines to work at Manila cotton plantations. The number of Okinawan migrants was highest of all prefectures in Japan. While there were many war victims, some escaped from the war-torn areas and lived in the jungle.
At The Monument of Okinawa, built by the Okinawa prefectural government in 1970, the souls of about 10,700 deceased military personnel and their families and Okinawan civilians are enshrined. The tour group will return to Okinawa on July 26.
(English translation by T&CT and Megumi Chibana)
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July 24, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On July 19, an event called “Zoo Night,” which will be held every Saturday night during the summer vacation, started at the Okinawa Zoo & Museum in the Goya district of Okinawa City. The event will last until 9 p.m.
On the first day of the event, an activity called “Monster Museum” began. Interested children formed a line and waited.
The zoo plans to let visitors feed animals and try horse-riding. The organizer said, “We would like visitors to enjoy the night zoo, which is different from the daytime.”
The zoo plans to hold other summer vacation events such as “Eisa Summer Festival” on August 2 and 3, and “Zoo Camp,” on August 7 and 14, when visitors will get the chance to stay overnight in the zoo.
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology held a special workshop at the zoo called “Try Creating Snow” on July 26. Art unit Maywa Denki held a workshop to create an original musical instrument on July 28.
Please contact Okinawa Zoo & Museum at 098 (933) 4190 for more details.
(English translation by T&CT)
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July 23, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
The total number of tourists ever to visit five Okinawan tourist sites managed by Nanto Corporation, including the Okinawa World in Nanjo City, exceeded 50 million on July 16. On that day, the company held a ceremony to present its 50 millionth guest anniversary gifts. It also carried out a ceremonial tree planting.
This year marks the 43rd anniversary of the founding of the company. As well as the Okinawa World, Nanto runs Okinawan tourist facilities such as the Oishirinzan in Kunigami Village, Valley of Gangalla in Nanjo City and Ishigaki Island Limestone Cave, Ishigaki Island Sunset Beach.
At the ceremony, the 50 millionth guest Masato Yokoyama and his family members received bouquet flowers. The family, from Kagawa prefecture, was also presented with a 100,000 yen-travel coupon, Ryukyu glass dishes, an Oriental Zodiac bottle produced by the company and annual passport for its tourist facilities.
Yokoyama’s daughter Kotone said, “I am looking forward to watching Super Eisa.”
The president of the company Munenao Oshiro said, “We would like to show visitors in and outside the prefecture the charm of Okinawa’s nature, culture and history. We aim to attract 1.5 million visitors each year.”
(English translation by T&CT)
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July 26, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On July 25, former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama dropped in at Henoko fishing port in Nago, during his stay in Okinawa to take part in a symposium. After visiting the tent of a 17-year ongoing sit-in, he surveyed the shore of Camp Schwab, the planned relocation site for the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, from a boat. Hatoyama listened to residents explain the environmental value of the sea surrounding Henoko. He scooped up seawater in his hand and watched a sea turtle near a small island Nagashima on Oura Bay for about 50 minutes.
After his visit, Hatoyama stressed, “It is a denigration of nature to build a huge structure on such a wonderful sea, one of the most important marine in Japan.” He added, “It is outdated to beat drums by hyping the China Threat Theory. This is now a time when we must review the presence of U.S. military bases.” The former prime minister criticised the government’s plan to build a new base in Henoko.
(English translation by T&CT)
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July 17, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On July 13, the Ice Festival was held at the Okinawa Zoo and Museum in Okinawa City. Staff members fed ice cubes containing horsemeat, apples, and carrots to animals. Many visitors, including children and their parents, enjoyed watching animals’ rare, odd behavior.
Japanese raccoons were trying to scratch off ice cubes with their sharp nails to get hold of apples and oranges. A lion was licking an ice cube, holding it in both hands. Children and adults were excited to see the unusual animals scenes, and some of them were taking pictures.
Some animals such as hippopotamuses and monkeys did not respond to the food in ice cubes, either not noticing or not bothering with all the fuss.
As soon as an elephant Ryuka found oranges and carrots in ice cubes, she broke them with her forefoot, and ate them using her trunk.
Karina Isagawa and Eimi Shimabukuro from Moromi Elementary School said “The Ice looks really hard,” “It was fun to see how the elephant ate the food. The ice looks really cold.”
(English translated by T&CT, Hitomi Shinzato)
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Webcam(Kokusai Street)
