Top News

[Editorial] Defense Bureau keeps information on dugongs from the public

September 24, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Okinawa Defense Bureau has confirmed that in 2012, for the first time in three years, dugongs came to feed in the sea off Henoko in Nago. This area is the site of the planned reclamation for the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Records obtained by Kyodo News through a freedom-of-information request suggest that there was evidence of seaweed having been eaten by the endangered marine species. Despite this, without disclosing this to...

 

Tourism generates 676.7 billion yen in economic ripple effect

September 18, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

On September 17, the Okinawa Prefectural Government announced the economic ripple effect of tourism in Okinawa in the 2012 fiscal year. With increasing numbers of tourists from overseas, this business produced a ripple effect worth 676.7 billion yen in 2012,...

U.S.military completes deployment of more Osprey to Okinawa

U.S.military completes deployment of more Osprey to Okinawa

September 26, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

The U.S. Marine Corps has completed moving 12 another MV-22 Osprey aircraft from Iwakuni Air Station to Okinawa. The last aircraft arrived at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in the evening of September 25. The U.S. military has now stationed 24 Osprey...

Okinawa holds rally to promote Shimakutuba

Okinawa holds rally to promote <em>Shimakutuba</em>

September 19, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Okinawa Prefectural Government held the first Shimakutuba Citizens’ Rally at the Okinawa Convention Center Conference Building in Ginowan City on September 18. The aim of the rally was to encourage Okinawan people to be become interested in Shimakutuba...

Nago City Office signs up for diplomatic think tank

September 20, 2013 Ryota Nakamura of Ryukyu Shimpo

The Nago City Office has decided to sign up to the think tank New Diplomacy Initiative, which sends out information and makes policy recommendations between Japan and the United States. It is rare for a municipal office in Japan to become involved...

Ishigaki Island Marathon to attract 700 runners from Taiwan

September 23, 2013 Ken Sasaki of Ryukyu Shimpo

Hisao Hirata, Okinawa representative of the Okinawa and Taiwan Exchange Promotion Association, announced on September 22 that the association will send 700 marathon runners with their supporters from Taiwan to the Ishigaki Island Marathon next...

Minami Daito Village to revive sugarcane train

September 22, 2013 Shogaku Umeda of the Ryukyu Shimpo

Minami Daito Village Office plans to revive the train that until 1983 was used to transport sugarcane on Minami Daito Island.

The office hopes to increase the number of tourists visiting the island, which is located approximately...

New “king and queen” selected at Shurijo Castle Park event

New “king and queen

September 23, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

Selection of a new “king” and “queen” took place at the event “Mid-Autumn Feast” held in the Una forecourt of Shurijo Castle in Naha on September 22. Thirty five-year-old Masaya Koami was chosen in the role of “king” and Juri Shiohira as...

Mid-Autumn Feast from Ryukyu Dynasty revived

Mid-Autumn Feast from Ryukyu Dynasty revived

September 22, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

On September 21 and 22, the Mid-Autumn Feast held during the Ryukyu Dynasty was held in the Una forecourt of Shurijo Castle Park in Naha. On the opening day, four masters of the traditional performing arts who have the status of Living National Treasure...

Okinawan and Sri Lankan students meet on Tokashiki

Okinawan and Sri Lankan students meet on Tokashiki

September 19, 2013 Hideaki Yoneda correspondent of Ryukyu Shimpo

The Asian Bridge Project between Sri Lanka and Okinawa was held from September 12 to 20 on Tokashiki Island. The National Okinawa Youth Friendship Center hosted this project commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture,...

Researchers find that ants that do not work live longer

Researchers find that ants that do not work live longer

September 18, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

The research team from the University of the Ryukyus and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science has found that ants that do not work actually live longer than those that do. The ants that live longer depend on those that work for them.

The research...