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March 27, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
In the regular meeting held on March 27, the Ginowan City Assembly unanimously passed a resolution and written opinion. They protested against continuing troubles and accidents involving the U.S. military aircraft. An MV-22 Osprey made an emergency landing at Kadena Air Base on March 2. An AH-1W helicopter failed in its landing on the deck of U.S.S. Denver on March 5. The assembly members visited the Okinawa Defense Bureau for protesting on the same day.
In the resolution, the assembly has asked the U.S. military to stop flying MV-22 Osprey aircraft and AH-1W helicopters until they announce the causes of the accidents and how to prevent them. The assembly has also demanded the early closure of Futenma Air Station and the return of the land that it uses.
(English translation by T&CT)
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March 27 2014 Mitsuo Kouchi, correspondent of Ryukyu Shimpo
Flower lovers in Nago City have been taking care of Kalanchoe integra. A Japanese endangered species list, the “Red Data Book”, designates the flower as an endangered species.
The flower has one-centimeter-long yellow flower petals, which make it look like field mustard.
One of the flower lovers said, “My friend gave it to me. I have been raising the flower for five to six years. It is popular because the flower keeps its freshness.” The flower is 90 centimeters in height with its stem standing erect.
The native-grown flowers appeared to no longer grow in the wild in Japan. But there is a high possibility the cultivated flowers continue to grow around Okinawa. A spokesperson of the Okinawa Prefectural Government said, “It is possible the flower will be in danger of being extinct soon.” The government lists the flower as Critically Endangered. It can be found in the Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan and the South East Asia.
(English translation by T&CT)
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March 21, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On March 20, the 6th Okinawa International Movie Festival 2014 kicked off at the Okinawa Convention Center in Ginowan City. A community-based movie project of Okinawa by Gori of Garage Sale, “Naha NAHA Nafa!” in which the students from Naha International High School took part, and other works were shown. On March 21, many celebrities who have acted in movies walked on the red carpet. The festival was held until March 24.
Hiroki Kawada of the Okinawan comedy duo Garage Sale, who acted in the movie “Naha NAHA Nafa!” appeared on stage with Koyo Gushi, a student of Naha International High School who took part in producing film. Gushi said, “I discovered the charms of Naha by shooting the film at a public market. I live in Naha, but I did not notice them before. I will be pleased if the people who watch this movie feel the charm of the town.”
(English translation by T&CT, Hitomi Shinzato)
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March 26, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
The Okinawa Prefectural Government and the Changi Airport Group in Singapore signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen the aviation network on March 25. It is the first time that Okinawa has entered into a partnership agreement with an airport overseas. At the signing ceremony held in Naha Airport International Passenger Terminal, Changi Airport Group Senior Advisor Wong Woon Liong and Governor Hirokazu Nakaima attended.
The Changi Airport Group is aiming to encourage major airlines and travel agencies in Singapore to introduce direct flights between Naha and Changi to attract tourists from Southeast Asia to Okinawa. They also will promote logistics services. Okinawa Governor Nakaima said, “We expect that the traffic of people and distribution of goods between Asian countries and Okinawa will become closer.”
It currently takes about 10 hours to fly between Okinawa and Singapore because there is no direct service. With this non-stop flight inauguration the flight time to Okinawa will be about five hours, said the senior advisor of the Changi Airport Group. “To start with, we will work with key travel agencies to launch charter flights between Singapore and Okinawa. This will create and further develop the Singapore-Okinawa market for the first scheduled direct flights.”
Currently, Changi Airport serves more than 100 airlines connecting Singapore directly to 260 cities around the world. The airport group ties up with Narita Airport.
(English translation by T&CT)
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March 23, 2014 Ryota Shimabukuro reports from Washington D.C.
As of March 22, more than 10,000 people had signed an online petition against the Henoko landfill. Prominent intellectuals from Australia, the United States and Europe have called for the governments of the United States and Japan to abandon the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan to Henoko, Nago, and to close the air station immediately. The United States Department of Defense is moving some Marine Corps units to Guam, Hawaii, the U.S. mainland and Australia under the Marine Corps realignment plan. People from the U.S. mainland, Hawaii, Guam, and Australia as well as Japan have signed the petition. The advocates are increasing in number around the world.
This petition signature site has a comment box. A man who lives in northern Australia where the U.S. Marine Corps plans to create a presence commented, “We don’t want the Marines here in Australia, and the Okinawans don’t want them there. Build your base in your own country Obama.” A woman in Guam commented, “The Okinawans deserve their homeland back and the right to protect their major food source, which is the ocean as well as the protection of the endangered dugong.” A man in Hawaii where 2,700 Marines are moving from Okinawa wrote, “It’s time for equality in Okinawa and its people. The people have suffered long enough.”
One of the citizens who live in the U.S. mainland commented, “It is not in the best interest of US.” Another reader posted, “Enough is enough.”
One hundred three intellectuals, including Academy Award, Nobel Peace Prize, and Pulitzer Prize winners, have launched on online petition calling for cancellation of the Futenma relocation plan. The petition with the signatures will be delivered to President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
(English translation by T&CT)
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March 20, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
Nine of Japan’s top ten beaches can be found in Okinawa, according to a recent ranking by the world’s largest travel website.
Miyako Island’s emerald green Yonaha-Maehama Beach was ranked Japan’s best beach for the second year running on Tripadvisor – a popular travel review site.
The website, which provides directory information and reviews of travel-related content by tourists, announced “the World’s Best Beach 2014” on March 19, the Japanese subsidiary of The website created the ranking based on comments and information posted on the website last year. Yonaha-maehama Beach on Miyako Island became the best beach in Japan for the second consecutive year. In the domestic ranking of the top ten, the website picked nine beaches from Okinawa. Yonaha-maehama Beach ranked 25th in the best beaches of Asia. The beach won the first place in the domestic ranking because of many positive reviews. The reviewers appreciated its emerald green sea and white beach.
Following Yonaha-maehama Beach, Kondoi Beach on Taketomi Island won the second place. The third place was awarded to Shirahama Beach in Wakayama Prefecture, which is the only place in the ranking elected from outside Okinawa. Okinawan beaches occupied the rest of the ranking: Nishi-hama Beach on Hateruma Island; Hate-no-hama Beach on Kume Island; Nirai Beach in Yomitan; Arashiro Coast on Miyako Island; Sunayama Beach on Miyako Island; Aharen Beach on Tokashiki Island; Okuma Beach in Kunigami.
The website determined the ranking by computing scores from the rating given by individual users and the number of reviews in total.
(English translation by T&CT and Lima Tokumori)
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March 24, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
At Misato Park in Okinawa City on March 23, Peaceful Candle Night was held to pray for the Great East Japan Earthquake restoration and peace.
Pupils and parents from city schools used 3,000 candles to light the park with a message.
This is the second time the organizers have held the event. The participants lined the candles up to create letters spelling “peace” in Kanji (Chinese character).
Participant Yui Yamshiro wrote, “Never give up hope” in her message. She said, “I would like people not to give up restoration of the affected areas.” Miari Yamashiro said, “The restoration from the earthquake is not over yet. I would like Japan to be at peace.”
(English translation by T&CT)
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March 24, 2014 Chikako Nago, Correspondent of Ryukyu Shimpo
The Uchinanchu Talk Story IV was held on March 9 at the East-West Center of the University of Hawaii. This is the fourth time the organizers have held the conference. The previous conferences focused on the themes of the spirit of Okinawa, next generation of Uchinanchu and U.S. base issues. The World Uchinanchu Business Association, Akisamiyo Club and the East-West Center hosted the conference this time. The panelists exchanged opinions on the subject of the secret to longevity in Okinawa.
Over 100 people from various organizations including students of the University of the Ryukyus and the University of Hawaii took part in the conference.
Canadian twin brothers Craig and Bradley Willcox, who have been studying Okinawan secrets to longevity for a long time and published books, delivered a lecture. They talked about Okinawan longevity from the viewpoints of genetics, eating habits and lifestyle, exercise and Okinawan society.
Five panelists talked about the theme from their own perspective.
A personal trainer Mike Tengan who is the executive director of a nonprofit organization, stressed the importance of exercise through his experiences.
Ellen Higa, who has been a member of the Hawaii Parank Club for 25 years, said that playing parank relieves stress and provides a sense of community to members, who support each other and form friendships.
The head of the Lanakila Okinawa Nenchosha Club Jane Higa talked about getting physical exercise at a weekly Thursday gathering and also reciting poetry for happy living.
Financial Advisor Clegg Takara and Glen Goya talked about plans for each generation such as preparation for living expense after retirement and medical expense. After that, the participants discussed what happened in their lives, problems and how to solve them, and how long they want to live.
Hideki Kinjo who studies business in the University of Hawaii, said, “I did not know that Okinawan longevity attracted worldwide attention. I want to take another look at Okinawan diets that include many dark-green vegetables. It was important for me to discuss with people from different generations.”
(English translation by T&CT)
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March 20, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
For three days from March 14 to 16, junior high school and high school students in Uruma City performed the modern kumiodori play Kimutaka no Amawari at the world heritage site Katsuren Castle. This 2014 event commemorates the 15th anniversary of their activitie. Many people visited the castle to see the performance, which impressed the audience with its historical setting. Stonewalls were lit up for the occasion, adding dramatic effect.
The event began in 1999 aiming to foster personal development among youth, by providing a place for them to interact and rediscover the appeal of local culture and history. They have held more than 225 performances and attracted more than 138,000 people.
One of the spectators said, “The Katsuren Castle as a background makes a big impact.” Another said, “I could see the efforts that students put in. I would like to continue to support them.”
(English translation by T&CT and Megumi Chibana)
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March 20, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
Valuable documents revealing Ryukyu Kings’ ties to the Edo government may soon be on Tokyo’s list of important cultural properties. A collection of letters and gift-lists presented by the Ryukyu Kingdom to the elders of Edo was recommended for inclusion by the Council for Cultural Affairs on March 18. Elder was one of the highest-ranking government posts in the Edo government.
The Twenty-three documents include letters and lists of gift items the Ryukyu Kings presented to the elders of the Edo government for diplomatic missions made to show gratitude and congratulations. The documents are preserved by Tokyo National Museum and other institutions. A spokesperson of the council said, “The documents show the diplomatic relations and ceremonial exchanges between the Ryukyu Kingdom and Edo government. These are academically valuable.”
The documents include 21 letters the Ryukyu Kings such as Shotei, Shoeki and Shokei sent to the Edo government from the late 1600s to the early 1700s. These also include two lists of gift items the missions of the Ryukyu Kingodom presented to the Edo government. The Ryukyu Kingdom sent missions celebrating the appointment of the Tokugawa Shoguns and reporting the enthronement of the Ryukyu Kings to the Edo government. The documents include letters related to the missions including expressions of condolence when Shoguns died.
The gift items to the Edo government were awamori, abaca cloth and Ambergris.
A professor at the University of Ryukyus Kazuyuki Tomiyama said, “Preserved in the original condition, the documents are valuable. The Edo government strictly decided rules of writing documents and ranking officials. The Ryukyu Kingdom followed them. The Korean Kings exchanged letters with Shoguns.” He said the Kings of the Ryukyus exchanged with the elders, representatives of the Shoguns, because the Ryukyu Kingdom was under the rule of the Satsuma Domain.
The council recommended one listing for the National Treasures category and 50 for the Important Cultural Properties category. The National Institutes for Cultural Heritage own the documents. The council recommended to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology that the documents be included in the cultural assets of Tokyo.
(English translation by T&CT)
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March 23, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
A symposium to talk about boosting the international profile of Okinawan karate was held at the Urasoe Industry Promotion Center on March 22.
Okinawa Prefectural Government officials and karate instructors talked about promoting Okinawa as the birthplace of traditional karate.
About 100 people involved in karate in the prefecture took part in the symposium.
Seijun Wakugawa of the Okinawa Prefectural Government referred to France, which underscores a national commitment to promoting karate by unifying grading systems. He said, “Okinawa needs to create a strong organization to promote karate.” Wakugawa went on to say, “I want Okinawa to become the place where karate practitioners all around the world come to visit.”
Hiroiwa Miyagai, the head of the Asia Okinawa Economy Research Center said, “We need to strengthen the authority and trust for Okinawan karate in order to create the brand. Okinawa needs to become a sacred place as the origin of various karate styles.”
The head of the Okinawan Karate-do Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Association Minoru Nakazato and the head of Chanmi SKY Project Hiroshi Irei took part as panelists.
(English translation by T&CT)
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