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Using beach sand and water as a training tool: Okinawa Prefecture produces Karate video

Using beach sand and water as a training tool: Okinawa Prefecture produces Karate video

January 25, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Takesaburo Koyama

 

Onna – The Okinawa Prefecture Department of Culture Tourism & Sports’ (OCTS) Karate promotion office hosted a karate training session at the beach in Nakadomari, Onna January 19, led by the instructors at Shorin-ryu Myobukan (Hirokazu Matsuda, General Director), for a video the department is making titled, “Okinawa Karate Remote Instructor Initiative.”

In the morning at Myobukan’s Onna Dojo, director...

 

Record high concentrations of PFAS detected in groundwater around Kadena Air Base

Record high concentrations of PFAS detected in groundwater around Kadena Air Base

January 22, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On January 18, the Okinawa Environmental Preservation Division announced the results of the summer water quality survey that was conducted last September in the areas surrounding U.S. military bases to assess organic fluorine compound (PFAS) contamination....

Following Biden’s inauguration Gov. Tamaki plans to “convey current situation in Okinawa” for Henoko discussion

Following Biden’s inauguration Gov. Tamaki plans to “convey current situation in Okinawa” for Henoko discussion

January 22, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On January 21, following the inauguration of Joe Biden as the United States president, Governor Denny Tamaki spoke to the press at the Okinawa Prefectural Government Office. The governor said, “To secure a hope-filled future for Okinawa, I will...

Giraffe calf born at Okinawa Zoo and Museum for first time in 14 years

Giraffe calf born at Okinawa Zoo and Museum for first time in 14 years

January 22, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

For the first time in 14 years, since 2007, a giraffe calf has been born at the Okinawa Zoo and Museum (Okinawa Kodomo no Kuni). The reticulated giraffe calf, born at 6:38 p.m. on January 20, is 1 meter and 65-70 centimeters tall and weighs 50 kilograms...

Naha shopping district “welcomes coronavirus aid with welcome arms,” Mayor Shiroma says, “We need to exchange ideas and think of a way to rebuild”

Naha shopping district “welcomes coronavirus aid with welcome arms,” Mayor Shiroma says, “We need to exchange ideas and think of a way to rebuild”

January 21, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Naha mayor Kimiko Shiroma made a trip to the city’s main shopping district January 20 to observe the effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the commercial hub. People who work in the area told her about the difficulties they have been facing,...

Work begins on replacing the roofing tiles on Hoshimmon Gate at Shuri Castle, planned completion in March

Work begins on replacing the roofing tiles on Hoshimmon Gate at Shuri Castle, planned completion in March

January 19, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Shuri Castle Park, which had many of its buildings, including the main temple, burned down in October of 2019, began replacing the roof tiles on Hoshimmon Gate January 18. The undertaking will use 13,000 concave and convex tiles, and the plan is...

Okinawan folk music star Misako Oshiro dies at 84, best known for “silk voice” and collaboration with Rinsho Kadekaru

Okinawan folk music star Misako Oshiro dies at 84, best known for “silk voice” and collaboration with Rinsho Kadekaru

January 18, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Misako Oshiro, a leading Okinawan folk singer, passed away on January 18. She was 84 years old. A private memorial service will be held for her surviving family.

 

According to sources, Oshiro was found lying down in her Naha City...

President Joe Biden’s inauguration speech 

President Joe Biden's inauguration speech 

January 20, 2021  Ryukyu Shimpo

Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on 20 January and delivered first remarks.

President inauguration speech is posted below.

 

◆President Joe Biden’s inauguration speech

Chief Justice Roberts,...

Assembly Special Committee finds Defense Minister approval of low-altitude flights “deplorable”

Assembly Special Committee finds Defense Minister approval of low-altitude flights “deplorable”

January 15, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

On January 14, a meeting of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly’s Special Committee on U.S. Military Base Affairs (chaired by Moriyuki Teruya) opened and unanimously adopted the chairman’s declaration objecting to the low altitude flying of U.S. military...

Video – Uruma City combines bullfighting and a coming-of-age ceremony amid the coronavirus pandemic

Video – Uruma City combines bullfighting and a coming-of-age ceremony amid the coronavirus pandemic

January 11, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Uruma City held its first coming-of-age ceremony at the Ishikawa Multipurpose Dome (bullfighting ring) on January 10, taking extra care to provide proper ventilation. As a special guest for the year of the Ox, an enormous 1,100 kg 10-year-old fighting...

Cases in Okinawa Surge: “500-800 new cases per week going forward” predicted, hospital bed utilization exceeds 100% in Chubu, Main Island

Cases in Okinawa Surge: “500-800 new cases per week going forward” predicted, hospital bed utilization exceeds 100% in Chubu, Main Island

January 15, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On January 14, Governor Denny Tamaki held an emergency press conference at the Okinawa Prefectural Office. He shared that cases of the novel coronavirus in Okinawa are increasing, mostly in young people, and that estimates suggest that the prefecture...