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Seven names added to Tsushima-maru victims list after 68 years

Seven names added to Tsushima-maru victims list after 68 years

August 22, 2012 Eriko Tamaki, Ryukyu Shimpo

August 22 marked the 68th anniversary of the tragedy of the unmarked passenger-cargo ship Tsushima-maru being sunk by the submarine USS Bowfin on its way to Kyushu carrying hundreds of school children. The Tsushima-maru Memorial Museum engraves newly identified victims’ names every year, and this year has added seven names to the victim’s name panel. Among them, Kiyoko Omine’s name was included. This came about because her classmates...

 

Calbee opens shop in Naha

Calbee opens shop in Naha

August 24, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

On August 28, major Japanese snack food maker Calbee opened its first shop, called the Okinawa Kokusai-Dori Calbee Plus, in the busiest street of Naha. Unlike other retail stores, the shop is popular because items are cooked then and there, in front of the customers....

Okinawa Governor has difficulty accepting the Osprey to Futenma Air Station

Okinawa Governor has difficulty accepting the Osprey to Futenma Air Station

August 30, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

On August 29, Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto visited Okinawa to report on the results of the investigation into the crash of an MV-22 Osprey that occurred in Morocco this April. During his stay he met with Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima, Ginowan Mayor Atsushi...

Miruku Unke parade held to pray for good health

<em>Miruku Unke</em> parade held to pray for good health

August 21, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

On August 19, a traditional ceremony called miruku unke was held at Shuri Akata-cho, Naha. A smiling maitreya and his followers walked around the community and prayed for residents’ good health.

The miruku unke ceremony was revived...

Young kick boxer captures third title

Young kick boxer captures third title

August 22, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

Fourteen year-old kick boxer, Kaito Gibu, a second grade pupil of Nago Municipal Omiya Junior High School, secured his third title in a competition held in Tokyo.
Gibu intends to fight in various competitions in future, saying, “I am determined to win...

Jetstar plans Naha-Hong Kong flights

August 18, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

Jetstar Hong Kong, an affiliated airline of the low-cost carrier Jetstar, is planning to launch a Naha-Hong Kong service. On August 17, Tsuyoshi Ichino, head of the public relations department for Jetstar Japan, said that the company plans to operate flights between...

Okinawan sea grapes become a brand product

Okinawan sea grapes become a brand product

August 22, 2012 Ryo Akamine of Ryukyu Shimpo

Seeking to establish a stable production and sales structure for sea grapes produced in Okinawa, in mid-September the Sea Grapes Producers Council, which is made up of 140 individuals and organizations involved in the production of sea grapes, will...

U.S. soldiers point guns outside military facilities

U.S. soldiers point guns outside military facilities

August 15, 2012 Naoki Isa of Ryukyu Shimpo

On August 11 at Katabaru, Matsuda Ward, Ginoza, four U.S. soldiers were seen lying in the grass on the roadside pointed their weapons toward the road. They were likely taking aim at amphibious vehicles crossing Route 329 from the shore and moving towards...

Getting a pilot license in Okinawa

Getting a pilot license in Okinawa

August 18, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

This month Flight Simulation Okinawa (FSO), which is based in Chatan, has started a new pilot training program using an aircraft simulator. The company said that the machine was the only simulator in Japan designated by the governments of Japan and the United...

Okinawan Filipina seek information about Uechi family

Okinawan Filipina seek information about Uechi family

August 24, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Philippine Nikkei-jin Legal Support Center is seeking information about Minoru Uechi and his son Mitsunari who may know Hiroshi, the father of Yoneko Arakaki, whose Filipino name is Inocencia. Yoneko visited Okinawa last summer.

Minoru was born in...

Disabled people protest MV-22 deployment

Disabled people protest MV-22 deployment

August 22, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

Disabled people have placed a red handkerchief banner on the roof of the Aitopia at Yonashiro, Uruma. U.S. aircraft fly over the welfare service facility in which they work, during routine operations between the air base and training areas such as Ukibaru and Tsuken....