Top News

Okinawa Prefectural Board rejects Futenma relocation plan after reviewing Henoko environmental impact report

Okinawa Prefectural Board rejects Futenma relocation plan after reviewing Henoko environmental impact report

February 8, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Okinawa Prefectural Board of Review has completed its review of the environmental impact assessment report (EIA) on the alternative facility construction plan for the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to Henoko, Nago. On February 8, Kuniharu Miyagi, professor at Okinawa International University and chairman of the Board, reported to Hiroshi Shimoji, head of the Okinawa Prefectural Government Department of Environmental and Community Affairs...

 

Booklet about Okinawan immigrants published

Booklet about Okinawan immigrants published

February 5, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Okinawa NGO Center, which conducted the “Let’s Study! The Worldwide Uchinanchu Project,” in which during the 5th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival students in Okinawa learned about the history of Okinawan migrants, published CHAMPURREADO,...

Nine baseball teams start spring training camps in Okinawa

February 2, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 1, professional baseball spring training camps started in Okinawa and Miyazaki prefectures. Twelve baseball teams train throughout the month, aiming to improve prepare for games on March 30, the day that both the Central League and the Pacific League...

Marine Corps plans to deploy Osprey aircraft to several U.S. military facilities in Okinawa

February 1, 2012, Ryukyu Shimpo

On January 31 the Marines Corps revealed that in addition to Futenma Air Station, they plan to operate MV-22 Osprey vertical takeoff and landing transport aircraft in the U.S. Central Training Area, which includes Camp Hansen and Camp Schwab, the Northern Training...

Naha Port Authority will start pilot program of exports to Taiwan

January 31, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

Continuing on from the pilot program shipping less-than-container load cargos to Hong Kong that has been running since November, the Naha Port Authority will start such exports to Taiwan from February. There is no direct route from Naha to Taiwan, but some local...

[Editorial]
New realignment plan for moving U.S. Marine to Guam will not be tolerated – the situation must not go from bad to worse

February 5, 2012

The governments of Japan and the United States have commenced consultation on the proposed revised plan in which the U.S. Department of Defense has suggested distributing some of the approximately 8000 U.S. Marines who were originally down to move from Okinawa to Guam to locations...

Prefectural government establishes a new division to conduct independent research on the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty and to build a Japan – U.S. professional network

January 31, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

On January 30, the Okinawa Prefectural Government (OPG) revealed an outline of a new division designed to gather information and carry out research on security issues from April. The OPG is planning to commission specialists in Japan and the United States to...

Piano’s peaceful melodies heard in the former battlefield

Piano’s peaceful melodies heard in the former battlefield

January 30, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

On January 29, a concert using a piano that was damaged by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima was held at the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum in Itoman. Michihiko Ota, who lives mainly in Okinawa and the Kanto region, and several other musicians performed....

Renewed attention to traffic safety ― Mamoru-kun and Maruko-chan are registered as special residents

Renewed attention to traffic safety ― Mamoru-kun and Maruko-chan are registered as special residents

January 29, 2012

On January 27, at Miyakojima and Tarama, the policeman-style figurine Miyakojima Mamoru-kun who always bears up well in all weather conditions and acts as a lookout for society, and his sister Maruko-chan were registered as special residents of Miyakojima.

A ceremony...

At Kitanakagusuku a green carpet of arsa seaweed expands ahead of the upcoming harvest season

At Kitanakagusuku a green carpet of <em>arsa</em> seaweed expands ahead of the upcoming harvest season

January 29, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

At Misaki in Kitanakagusuku, arsa or hitoegusa (Monostroma nitidum Wittrock) seaweed is extending its beautiful green carpet to the beach where seaweed farms are located. In February, it will be the full harvest season for the seaweed, now not...

Practical research group to establish Shimakutouba immersion school

Practical research group to establish <em>Shimakutouba</em> immersion school

January 29, 2012 Yuki Nakasone of the Ryukyu Shimpo 

A practical research group plans to establish a Shimakutouba or Uchinaguchi immersion school at which children learn Okinawan culture and history through Shimakutouba. The members of the group aim to open the...