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Stand off between citizens and police officers at gate of Camp Schwab in Nago

Stand off between citizens and police officers at gate of Camp Schwab in Nago

July 25, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

An ongoing protest rally against the construction of an alternative base for U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Henoko, Nago started at the front of the first gate at Camp Schwab at about 6:00 a.m. on July 25.

Before citizens arrived at the first gate, police officers were standing on the sidewalk to prevent protest action. At the scene, a standoff between the police and citizens continues.

Hiroji Yamashiro, the director of the Okinawa Peace...

 

Government asks Saga to tentatively host U.S. MV-22 Osprey

July 23, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

At a press conference on July 22, Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera suggested there is a possibility that the U.S. Marines at Futenma Air Station will tentatively use Saga Airport in Saga prefecture to station aircraft. Itsunori said, “This is on the premise...

Himeyuri Peace Museum marks its 25th anniversary

Himeyuri Peace Museum marks its 25th anniversary

July 18, 2014 Eriko Tamaki of Ryukyu Shimpo

The Himeyuri Peace Museum in Itoman marked its 25th anniversary on June 23rd this year. In March 2014, the total number of visitors over the last 25 years was 19,801,496 people. Many students on school trips and tourists from outside Okinawa visited...

Over 500,000 tourists visit Okinawa in June

July 20, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On July 18, the Okinawa Prefectural Government announced the number of tourists who came to Okinawa in June 2014. A total of 557, 300 visitors represents a 13.9 percent increase over the same month last year, setting a new monthly record. This is the first time the...

Fujian and Okinawan calligraphers have friendship and exchange

Fujian and Okinawan calligraphers have friendship and exchange

July 21, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

Three calligraphers, including Houn Toyohira from Okinawa, have deepened regional ties through a cultural exchange with five artists representing Fujian, China at the Fujian and Okinawa Friendship Hall in Fujian Province, China. The program was held on July 11.

The...

US Marines to expand special-use airspace over Central Training Area in Okinawa

US Marines to expand special-use airspace over Central Training Area in Okinawa

July 17, 2014 Ryota Shimabukuro of Ryukyu Shimpo reports from Washington D.C.

The U.S. Marine Corps plans to raise the vertical limit of the restricted airspace for aircraft training over the Central Training Area in Okinawa. This training area is near Camp Hansen in Kin and Ginoza, and Camp...

Designer Ishibashi working to promote Okinawan traditional Uji-dyeing

Designer Ishibashi working to promote Okinawan traditional <em>Uji</em>-dyeing

July 18, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

In an effort to promote the fascinating art of Uji (sugarcane)-dyeing nationwide, Yumiko Ishibashi, a designer and tailor living in Kyoto, has been creating a line of products. At-tracted to Uji-dyeing, which is a signature fabric-dying style of...

Transfer of Aerial refuelling aircraft from Futenma to Iwakuni starts

Transfer of Aerial refuelling aircraft from Futenma to Iwakuni starts

July 16, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On July 15, the United States Marine Corps in Okinawa started moving 15 KC-130 aerial refuelling tankers to the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi prefecture from Futenma Air Station.

The first batch of the two aircraft left for Iwakuni on the...

Okinawa chooses NTT Communications Corp to install an underwater cable connecting Okinawa, areas around Tokyo and Asian countries

Okinawa chooses NTT Communications Corp to install an underwater cable connecting Okinawa, areas around Tokyo and Asian countries

July 18, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Okinawa Prefectural Government chose Tokyo-based NTT Communications Corp to install an underwater cable connecting Okinawa, areas around Tokyo and Asian countries on July 17. With a vision to make Okinawa an information hub for Asia, the government will work...

Baby saw sharks born at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Baby saw sharks born at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

July 10, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On May 7, 12 saw sharks were born at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Motobu. It was the first time that a saw shark became pregnant and succeeded in giving birth to its babies at the aquarium. This is a rare, successful case for aquariums around the world because...

Government to set up a special team at Okinawa’s police headquarters to tighten security for Henoko

July 15, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

The government has instructed the National Police Agency to strengthen security surrounding protests over seabed drilling in Henoko, Nago, where U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma is due to be relocated. The Okinawa Prefectural Police plans to set up a public...