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February 27, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
Fully bloomed pink cosmoses fill about 6.6 hectares of rice paddies in Kawakami, Nago. It is the season to enjoy blooming cosmoses. The area is called “Haneji Tabukkwa,” which means rich paddies. The local volunteer group in the community has started to offer visitors farm work experience and farmhouse accommodation since February. The group members think that a carpet of pink cosmos in rice paddies will be a new spot to attract visitors.
(English translation by T&CT, Hitomi Shinzato)
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March 2, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
For the Doll’s Festival, people dressed in traditional Ryukyuan costume walked through the streets in a michijune parade in the First Commercial Avenue in Okinawa City on March 1.
One hundred people dressed in bright costumes paraded down the street.
The parade featured the procession of the kings who used to live in Goeku Gusuku Castle.
The participants took about 20 minutes to parade down the street and the many people watching applauded them.
Nozomi Oshiro, who took part in the parade with his son, said, “I took part because I was interested in Ryukyu traditional costumes. I am glad that many people watched us.”
About100 hina dolls were displayed in the windows of the vacant stores on the street. Various events such as a workshop for making sweetened rice-flour cakes for the festival and a fashion show for the traditional costume attracted visitors.
(English translation by T&CT)
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February 27, 2014 Ryota Shimabukuro reports from Washington D.C.
The U.S. Congressional Research Service released a report entitled “Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress” on February 20. It praised Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima’s approval of the Henoko landfill because it allows the United States and Japan to clear an important political hurdle in the plan to relocate the Futenma base. However, it warned, “There remains a risk that heavy-handed actions by Tokyo or Washington could lead to stridently anti-base politicians making gains in Okinawa, particularly in the gubernatorial election later in 2014.” The U.S. side is not optimistic about the future situation for the Henoko issue.
The report emphasizes, “The Abe Administration, having invested significant time and money in meeting Nakaima’s conditions for approval, will likely need to invest additional political capital to ensure that the base construction proceeds without significant delays and without further alienating the Okinawan public.” It mentioned that the governor’s race will be held in the fall. The report said, “Despite the bold decision by Governor Nakaima, most Okinawans oppose the construction of a new U.S. base for a mix of political, environmental, and quality-of life reasons.” “There are those who support the U.S.-Japan security alliance while objecting to the significant and disproportionate ‘burden’ imposed on Okinawa,” the report added.
(English translation by T&CT)
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March 2, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
The groundbreaking ceremony of the second runway construction project of Naha Airport was held in a hotel in Naha on March 1. Currently, Naha Airport has a single runway, which is overcrowded with many arrivals and departures. The Okinawa Prefectural Government and business organizations have asked the central government to build another runway to help develop the Okinawan economy. About 350 people, such as officials of the Okinawan and the central government and representatives of business organizations took part in the ceremony. They welcomed the new runway, saying it could lead to a self-reliant economy and would promote tourism in Okinawa.
Construction started in January. It will be completed in December 2019, and will operate from March 31, 2020.
Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima stressed its significance, saying, “We have a vision of greater self-reliance in Okinawa.” Minister of State for Okinawa Ichita Yamamoto said, “This project will play a role to make Okinawa stronger and more free standing.”
(English translation by T&CT)
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February 27, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On February 16, the Owarai Futenma Gekijo, or Comedy Futenma Theater was held at Jubilance wedding center in Ginowan.
Popular Okinawan comedians performed on the stage, incorporating ideas from the audience about how to use the land returned from the U.S. military. They explored future town renovation ideas.
Ginowan City organized the event to create an opportunity to think about using the land occupied by U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Comedians, including Machan, the stage name of Masamitsu Kohatsu, appeared on the stage. They foretold the future of Ginowan in comedy skits.
There were some suggestions from the audience, who drew ideas from their everyday life. One of the audience members said, “I hope to build a road crossing into the Futenma site to connect Route 58 with Route 330 to reduce traffic jams.” Others shared ideas such as building a new soccer ground or keeping the runway as a disaster readiness center.
Kenta Kadekaru, a university student from Naha, got the audience excited with his idea of creating a film studio with artificial sets of the World Heritage sites in Okinawa. He said, “I am interested in how we can use the land after the return of Futenma Air Station. I hope Futenma will become an exciting town in the future.”
(English translation by T&CT and Lima Tokumori)
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March 2, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
An exhibition about Okinawan overseas emigration began at Japanese Overseas Migration Museum in Yokohama on March 1. The display is showing until May 11. With 118 items, it tells the story of the Okinawan people who emigrated to South American countries and Hawaii and worked hard there while keeping their relationship with home.
This is the first time the museum has held an exhibition focusing on emigration from one of the Japanese prefectures.
The museum presents memorabilia and photographs such as the clearance certificates used by Okinawan emigrants to South American countries.
Arisa Yamagata curated the exhibition on the life of the emigrants. Her mother Elena is second generation Okinawan Brazilian.
Elena said, “My grandmother told me about the hardships of the emigration experience. I am glad to be able to tell the important history of the Okinawan emigrants to many people, including my daughter.”
Vice president of Kawasaki branch of the Okinawa Association, Seitoku Igei is originally from Kin Town.
He said, “The photographs of the town made me nostalgic.”
Yosuke Tamabayashi of the JICA Yokohama International Center said, “Okinawa holds Worldwide Uchinanchu festivals regularly. This is the first time for us to hold an exhibition on the history of Okinawan emigrants and their deep connection with home. We plan to hold the exhibition in Okinawa this June and want to attract many people.”
JICA plans to hold the exhibition at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum .
(English translation by T&CT)
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March 4, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
At around 10:34 a.m. March 4, an F-15C assigned to Kadena Air Base made an emergency landing at the base. The windshield of the cockpit had come off the aircraft. It is not known why the windshield fell away during flight training. The aircraft took off from the base at around 9:54 a.m. A spokesperson from the Kadena Air Base said an investigation was being undertaken.
At around 10:30 a.m., emergency vehicles were waiting near the runway, and an F-15C landed at the north runway without its windshield, witnesses said. After the airplane landed, mechanic crews checked its fuselage. At around 11:00, the aircraft was towed into the maintenance hangar.
According to the Okinawa Prefectural Government, there has been three accidents involving a windshield falling away from F-15C fighters and 12 cases of parts of the airplane falling away. The Okinawa Prefectural Government and the relevant municipalities, including Kadena Town Office, will protest against the Okinawa Defense Bureau and the U.S. military authority. They will also ask that the U.S. military should take extra measures to prevent accidents.
(English translation by T&CT)
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February 28, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
Commemorating this week’s designation of Kerama Islands as a national park, a symposium was held at Ryukyu Shimpo Hall in Izumizaki district of Naha on February 27. A keynote lecture and panel discussion focused on co-ordinating the effort to promote Kerama worldwide. Speakers affirmed the need to balance protection and use of the islands. Tokashiki Village and Zamami Village resolved to engage together in the tourism promotion by creating “Kerama Brand.”
Makoto Tsuchiya, professor at the University of the Ryukyus Marine Science Department gave a keynote speech. Tsuchiya said, “The designation as a national park is not the final goal. It is important to know the importance of nature and keep a positive relationship with it for the next generation.”
Tsuchiya, Tokashiki Village Mayor Masashige Zamami and Zamami Village Mayor Satoru Miyazato, Tokashiki Village Chamber of Commerce President Toru Shigaki and Zamami Diving Association President Hideo Matayoshi took part in the panel discussion. Takaya Tomoyose of Ryukyu Shimpo facilitated the discussion.
Expecting the number of tourists to increase, Zamami said, “It is necessary to improve preparation for hosting tourists.” Miyazato stressed the importance of collaborating with the Diving Association to create unified rule for protecting ocean habitat. Arakaki suggested that both the villages should create tourism products. He said, “It is important for both the villages to co-host various events.” Matayoshi said, “With the designation, we would like to collaborate to promote the islands.”
(English translation by T&CT and Megumi Chibana)
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February 28, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
Okinawa has had the highest rate of accidents causing injury or death involving drunk drivers in Japan for 24 consecutive years.
The Okinawa Prefectural Police announced the statistics on February 27.
The figures showed Okinawa has the highest number of drunk drivers arrested for every 1,000 people in Japan. The prefecture also had the highest car-accident death rate involving drunk drivers for the first time in four years.
Okinawa has been promoting to prevent drunk driving since the zero blood alcohol law was passed in 2009. However, it hasn’t decreased the rate.
According to the Okinawa Prefectural Police, 6,664 accidents causing injury or death occurred in Okinawa in 2013. Among the accidents, about two percent (134 cases) involved drunk driving. The number was about 2.8 times the national average. The figure increased by 0.13 percent from about 1.88 percent in 2012.
The number of the drunk drivers arrested was 1,353, which is 1 in every 10,000 people in Okinawa. It was about 4.3 times the national average. In 2013, 22 accidents causing injury or death involving drunk drivers occurred from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. The number of accidents caused by driving with a hangover was the highest.
The police carried out the survey on people arrested for drunk driving in 2013. Among 1,000 respondents, over 90 percent drove under the influence of alcohol within five kilometers from their home.
Atsushi Yogi of the Okinawa Prefectural Police said, “People drive under the influence of alcohol without careful consideration. I would like people to realize that drunk driving is a serious crime that could lead to accidents causing injury or death.”
(English translation by T&CT)
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March 2, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
At around 12:30 p.m. March 2, white smoke rose from the right engine of an MV-22 Osprey aircraft after it landed at Kadena Air Base. This vertical take-off and landing transport aircraft belongs to U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station. A witness speculated that something had gone wrong with the aircraft. This aircraft is one of the MV-22 Ospreys deployed to Futenma base in October 2012. According to the witness, the aircraft landed at Kadena Air Base at around 12:30 p.m., and two fire-fighting vehicles, which were waiting near the runway, approached its fuselage immediately after the aircraft landed. After the crew checked the aircraft, it moved by itself to the parking lot at around 12:45 p.m.
(English translation by T&CT)
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February 23, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo
On February 17, a humpback whale swam with dozens of dolphins in the sea off the western area of Ishigaki Island. Diving shop Ohana owner Yuki Fujii took photographs of them.
According to Fujii, about 10-meter long whale swam slowly and comfortably beside dozens of dolphins.
Fujii said, “When I noticed them, I was watching from on the ship but, I moved in closer with a snorkel because they were swimming so comfortably. I took some photographs of them. It was impressive.”
(English translation by T&CT)
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