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Comedian Takashi Okamura becomes promotional ambassador for New Ishigaki Airport

Comedian Takashi Okamura becomes promotional ambassador for New Ishigaki Airport

March 9, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

On March 8, the Ishigaki Municipal Government appointed Takashi Okamura, a Japanese comedian and one half of the duo Ninety-nine, as a promotional ambassador for New Ishigaki Airport. That same day, at the ceremony to mark his appointment, Okamura promised to market the airport to the main islands of
Japan, boldly saying, “Welcome to the New Ishigaki Airport!”

Cheered by his fans, Okamura who has attracted consistently high viewer ratings on...

 

[Editorial] Celebrating the date of restoration of Japan’s sovereignty is further humiliation for Okinawa Is Japan really an independent nation?

March 9, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

Is this also part of the “Abe brand”? Starting this year, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to hold a ceremony on April 28 to commemorate the anniversary of the restoration of Japanese sovereignty after the San Francisco Peace Treaty took effect in 1952.

Abe...

Residents patrol Yambaru forest

Residents patrol Yambaru forest

February 24, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

In the Yambaru areas of the northern part of Okinawa, local people are going on patrols to protect rare animals and plants. The main purpose of their activities is to prevent poaching and theft of plants, but they also enjoy roaming through the Yambaru forest...

Community members pray for good harvest at Ueda Ugan

Community members pray for good harvest at Ueda Ugan

February 22, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 21, at the Ukinju hainju in Hyakuna, Nanjo in Tamagusuku, the Ueda Ugan was held. It is a traditional ceremony in the Nakandakari district, in which people plant rice and pray for a good harvest. The place was known to be a center...

Yokozuna Harumafuji starts training camp in Tomigusuku

Yokozuna Harumafuji starts training camp in Tomigusuku

February 21, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 20, Yokozuna Harumafuji and Aminishiki, sumo wrestlers who belong to the Isegahama stable, started training in the grounds of Toyomi Elementary School in Tomigusuku. Harumafuji, who was undefeated in the January Tournament said, “I will practice...

Human remains and ornaments found in a burial urn possibly confirm tomb

Human remains and ornaments found in a burial urn possibly confirm tomb

February 21, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 20, a representative of the Kunigami Education Board announced that five or six sets of human remains and some ornaments have been found in the Hedo district of Kunigami in a burial urn in the tomb in which Gihon, a king of the Ryukyu Islands who...

Cattle Festival on Kuroshima Island

Cattle Festival on Kuroshima Island

March 2, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 24, the 21st cattle festival was held at the multipurpose plaza on Kuroshima Island, Taketomi-cho, in Yaeyama. As many as 3000 people took part in the festival, enjoying events such as a lottery in which people win pregnant cows. At the stalls, they tasted...

Okinawa booth at Berlin International Film Festival

Okinawa booth at Berlin International Film Festival

March 4, 2012 Kumiko Hokama, Correspondent of Ryukyu Shimpo

From February 7 to 17, one of the world’s leading festivals of its kind, the Berlin International Film Festival, was held. For the first time, this year the Okinawa Prefectural Government and the Okinawa Film Office of the Okinawa...

Uma-harase horse racing revived after 70 years

<em>Uma-harase</em> horse racing revived after 70 years

March 3, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

On March 2, at the Water and Green Square in the Okinawa Kodomo no Kuni, Zoo & Museum in Okinawa City, the zoo and the Ryukyu Shimpo held an event for Okinawan traditional horse racing known as uma-harase.

Many spectators cheered when the cute...

Schools to teach history of the Ryukyu Islands

Schools to teach history of the Ryukyu Islands

March 4, 2013 Kenta Masuda of Ryukyu Shimpo

The Nakagusuku Education Board will permit elementary schools teach the history of the Ryukyu Islands from the 2014 academic year by taking advantage of a system that allows designated schools to create their own programs without strictly adhering...

New Ishigaki Airport holds opening ceremony

New Ishigaki Airport holds opening ceremony

March 2, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo

On March 2, an opening ceremony was held in the domestic terminal building of the New Ishigaki Airport,...