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“Father of the sanshin” memorial unveiled on Tsuken Island, Uruma

“Father of the sanshin” memorial unveiled on Tsuken Island, Uruma

March 4, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Tsuken Island, Uruma – A memorial and an explanatory sign were recently erected on Tsuken Island, the birthplace of Akainko, father of the sanshin. The memorial was prepared by the executive committee of a volunteer organization on the island that works to maintain Akainko’s birthplace. The unveiling ceremony was held on February 21, and participants celebrated by playing the sanshin. On Sanshin Day (Sanshin no Hi), March 4, there was...

 

Buds glistening in the sunlight breathe spring into the Yambaru forest

Buds glistening in the sunlight breathe spring into the Yambaru forest

March 4, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Buds and new green leaves in the trees in the northern part of Okinawa Island mark the arrival of spring.

On March 3 the weather in this region was overcast. However, in the surroundings of Yofuke, Nago City, warm rays of sunlight shone down...

“Help the remains” Takamatsu Gushiken begins hunger strike in protest of of plan to use soil from southern Okinawa in Henoko land reclamation

“Help the remains” Takamatsu Gushiken begins hunger strike in protest of of plan to use soil from southern Okinawa in Henoko land reclamation

March 1, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Takamatsu Gushiken, 67, who represents Gamafuya, a volunteer organization that collects the remains of those who died in the battle of Okinawa, began a hunger strike at the Prefectural Citizens Park in Izumizaki, Naha March 1. He is protesting against...

Memorial in Naha for victims in Myanmar protests

Memorial in Naha for victims in Myanmar protests

March 1, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On February 28, the Association of Myanmarese in Okinawa held a memorial for those who died or were injured in protests against the military coup d’état in Myanmar. According to the association, around 300 people gathered at the Kenmin Hiroba plaza...

Dozens of bones found in planned dirt excavation site in Komesu, Itoman, says Okinawa prefecture and war-dead remains recovery group

Dozens of bones found in planned dirt excavation site in Komesu, Itoman, says Okinawa prefecture and war-dead remains recovery group

February 26, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Okinawa prefecture and the Battle of Okinawa war-dead remains recovery information center started collecting remains at the planned dirt excavation site in Komesu, Itoman, where bones that appear to be from those who died in the Battle of Okinawa...

Prefectural Assembly passes resolution and opinion concerning indecent assault by U.S. soldier

Prefectural Assembly passes resolution and opinion concerning indecent assault by U.S. soldier

February 24, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

A member of the U.S. Marine Corps stationed at Camp Courtney was arrested on February 11 on suspicion of indecent assault. On February 24, in a plenary session, the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly unanimously passed a protest resolution and written...

Supreme court rules Naha City’s free provision of land to Koshibyo “Unconstitutional”, arguing the separation of politics and religion

Supreme court rules Naha City’s free provision of land to Koshibyo “Unconstitutional”, arguing the separation of politics and religion

February 24, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On February 24, the Supreme Court ruled on the question of whether Naha City’s free provision of land in Matsuyama Park for the Kume Shiseibyo (Koshibyo), which is dedicated to Confucius, father of Confucianism, violates the principle of the separation...

Berkeley City Council passes resolution in support of halting Henoko base construction

Berkeley City Council passes resolution in support of halting Henoko base construction

February 26, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On February 23, the city council of Berkeley, California, passed a resolution in solidarity with the people of Okinawa, opposing the construction of a new base in Henoko, Nago City–the planned relocation site for U.S. Marine Corps Futenma...

Governor Tamaki visits planned mining site in Komesu, Itoman amid concerns of human remains in soil to be used for Henoko reclamation

Governor Tamaki visits planned mining site in Komesu, Itoman amid concerns of human remains in soil to be used for Henoko reclamation

February 22, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On February 21, Governor Denny Tamaki visited the planned mining site in Komesu, Itoman within the Okinawa Senseki (battle site) Quasi-National Park. Governor Tamaki himself told the Ryukyu Shimpo of this visit.

 

According to...

Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki demands foreign minister secure the Senkaku Islands

February 21, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki sent a written appeal to cabinet ministers such as Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi, asking that the Japanese government secure the Senkaku Islands and surrounding areas, and improve their relationship...

ODB denies that majority of transplanted scarce coral died as an “effect of construction”

ODB denies that majority of transplanted scarce coral died as an “effect of construction”

February 18, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On February 17, the Okinawa Defense Bureau (ODB) opened the 30th meeting of the Environmental Monitoring Committee (chaired by Yoshiyuki Nakamura, Professor at Yokohama National University Graduate School) at the Okinawa Defense Bureau in Kadena...