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Possibility of holding an international tournament in Okinawa discussed at the East Asia Basketball Executive Meeting

Possibility of holding an international tournament in Okinawa discussed at the East Asia Basketball Executive Meeting

February 18, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 17 at Laguna Garden Hotel in Ginowan, officials of professional basketball leagues from Japan (bj), Korea (KBL) and Taiwan (SBL), were invited to attend the East Asia Basketball Executive Meeting held to discuss international exchange among professional basketball teams.

This is a part of a sports and tourism promotion project run by the prefectural government. Professional basketball affiliates from each country exchanged information...

 

Japanese International School teacher Tobaru creates eisa sensation in Berlin

Japanese International School teacher Tobaru creates <em>eisa</em> sensation in Berlin

February 20, 2012 Kumiko Hokama, Ryukyu Shimpo

Kiyofumi Tobaru, a teacher dispatched from Okinawa to the Japanese International School in Berlin, will finish his three-year tenure this March but may leave behind the eisa dance sensation in Berlin. The eisa dance performed...

First passengers of an around-the-islands-cruise depart from Naha Port

First passengers of an around-the-islands-cruise depart from Naha Port

February 17, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 16, the first group on the Fly-Cruise Okinawa, a Naha-based cruise tour around the islands off Okinawa, departed from the Wakasa Berth in Naha. At the departure ceremony, the passengers were given a warm send-off with an eisa dance. About...

Thirty junior golfers come to Okinawa from Korea

Thirty junior golfers come to Okinawa from Korea

February 16, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Korea-Okinawa Friendship Junior Golf Camp in Okinawa, in which junior golfers from Okinawa and Korea practice and play together, started at 6:30am on February 16 at the Kanucha Golf Course. By February 15, 30 Korean junior players from the first grade of...

Barrier-free wedding plan proposed by hotel in Ginoza

Barrier-free wedding plan proposed by hotel in Ginoza

February 16, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

On January 5, a wedding show entitled “Bride in a Wheelchair” was held at the CanNa Resort Villa in Ginoza. About 150 guests enjoyed a simulated wedding ceremony and a fashion show in which dresses specifically designed for wheelchair users were introduced.

The...

Black-faced Spoonbills enjoy sunbathing at Tomigusuku.

Black-faced Spoonbills enjoy sunbathing at Tomigusuku.

February 15, 2012 Photograph by Hiroaki Yamashiro

A high-pressure zone over the Okinawa region on February 14 brought blue skies and a summer-like day. A temperature of 26.5 degrees was recorded at Hateruma and on the Iriomote Islands, and in Naha it was 25 degrees, the sort of temperatures...

Defense Minister denies that Futenma Air Station will become a permanent fixture

Defense Minister denies that Futenma Air Station will become a permanent fixture

February 19, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

In the afternoon of February 18, Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka visited the Second Futenma Elementary School, which is located adjacent to U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. In response to principal Harumi Chinen’s request that something be done to remove...

Commander of Camp Kinser apologizes to Urasoe Mayor for soldiers training with firearms in a prohibited area

February 15, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

With regard to U.S. military personnel training with firearms near the Camp Kinser perimeter fence beside Route 58 in Urasoe, Camp Kinser commander, Colonel John E. Kasperski, visited Urasoe Mayor Mitsuo Gima at the Urasoe Municipal Office on February 15. Colonel...

Nine Chinese couples have weddings in Okinawa ― Internet-based advertising of resort weddings

Nine Chinese couples have weddings in Okinawa ― Internet-based advertising of resort weddings

February 14, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 13, at the ANA Intercontinental Manza Beach Resort in Onna, a wedding ceremony was held for nine Chinese couples invited to take part in a tour planned by the Okinawa Prefectural Government (OPG). The ceremony will be broadcast by the Chinese media,...

Okinawan governor submits opinion on the Futenma relocation plan, calling it “impossible”

Okinawan governor submits opinion on the Futenma relocation plan, calling it “impossible”

February 21, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

In the afternoon of February 20, in keeping with the regulations governing the environmental impact assessment report (EIA) submitted by the Okinawa Defense Bureau to the Okinawa Prefectural Government (OPG) last December on the plan to construct an alternative...

Students from Dalian on Okinawan culture experience tour

Students from Dalian on Okinawan culture experience tour

February 12, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 11, at the Naha City Traditional Arts and Crafts Center in Tenbusu, Naha, a total of 16 university students and members of a TV crew from Dalian in Liaoning Province who are visiting Okinawa from February 7 on the Okinawa Culture Experience Ryugaku...