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Okinawa is first in Japan to see end of rainy season

Okinawa is first in Japan to see end of rainy season

June 12, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

On June 12, the Okinawa Meteorological Observatory announced that the rainy season in Okinawa appears to be over. This is 11 days earlier than the end of rainy season in an average year (June 23) and 28 days earlier compared to last year, which was the latest end (July 10) since these statistics were first recorded in 1951.

Rainy season started around May 11 this year and particularly heavy rain was recorded. Rainfall in May in Okinawa was 193% compared...

 

Henoko construction resumes despite a majority opposition in the newly elected Assembly

Henoko construction resumes despite a majority opposition in the newly elected Assembly

June 12, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo online edition

On June 12 the Okinawa Defense Bureau (ODB) resumed construction work on the Futenma Replacement Facility (FRF) in Henoko, Nago City, which is intended to be the relocation site for Futenma Air Station (Ginowan City). At about 8:20 a.m. that day, two...

Editorial:Governor-supporting parties’ win of majority of seats shows popular will against new base

June 8, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

Following the election for the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly (48 members) at the expiry of assembly members’ terms, members of parties supporting Governor Denny Tamaki hold 25 seats in the assembly. This is two fewer than after the previous election under the Onaga...

Sea turtles return to Onna Village to nest after two years

Sea turtles return to Onna Village to nest after two years

June 6, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Kengo Kyan

Onna Village, Okinawa—On June 3, for the first time in two years, sea turtles were observed nesting at a beach in Nakadomari. Around 124 pink eggs the size of ping-pong balls were found. Terunobu Yamauchi, 82, who has been a conservationist for...

Foreign investors looking to buy up hotels in Okinawa as corona-related losses force many to sell

Foreign investors looking to buy up hotels in Okinawa as corona-related losses force many to sell

June 9, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Yuki Nakamura

The tourism industry took a big hit from the effects of COVID-19, and there are increasing stories of those who are looking to sell their hotels despite the drop in price, as well as foreign firms and investors who are looking to purchase lodging...

“It was so loud that I couldn’t sleep”, Osprey land on MCAS Futenma just before 11:00 p.m.

“It was so loud that I couldn’t sleep”, Osprey land on MCAS Futenma just before 11:00 p.m.

June 4, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

On June 2 several vertical take-off and landing transport MV-22 Osprey landed on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma (MCAS Futenma) in Ginowan City after 10:00 p.m., which falls outside the time period allowed under aircraft noise abatement measures (the noise prevention...

Baby bat found in motorcycle rescued, Naha City

Baby bat found in motorcycle rescued, Naha City

June 4, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Ryota Shimabukuro

A baby Orii’s flying-fox was found stuck inside the front wheel cover of a parked motorcycle in Izumizaki, Naha City, Okinawa, around 10 a.m. on June 3.

The bat pup was heard squeaking for its mother which was perched on a...

Heatstroke risk rises to dangerous level with the summer sun coming out for “Grain in Ear” in Nago, Miyako, and Ishigaki

Heatstroke risk rises to dangerous level with the summer sun coming out for “Grain in Ear” in Nago, Miyako, and Ishigaki

June 5, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

June 5 was boshu (Grain in Ear), one of the 24 points on the traditional East Asian solar calendar. It marks the time of the year to sow grains such as rice and wheat. On June 4, a high-pressure system and sunny weather not often seen in the rainy season came to Okinawa.

Of...

“Very Rare!” Coral Spawning During Neap Tide Night-time Broadcast Spawning in a Tank at Churaumi Aquarium

“Very Rare!” Coral Spawning During Neap Tide  Night-time Broadcast Spawning in a Tank at Churaumi Aquarium

June 4, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

Motobu – On the night of May 31, coral spawning was confirmed at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Motobu. Approximately 70 species of coral are housed in the aquarium’s Coral Sea tank. Corals spawn every year between May and June, right around the time of the...

Thirty new names to be engraved on Cornerstone of Peace, bringing total to 241,593 names

Thirty new names to be engraved on Cornerstone of Peace, bringing total to 241,593 names

June 2, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On June 1, the Okinawa Prefectural Government’s Peace Support and Gender Equality Division announced that in FY 2020, it will engrave an additional 30 names on the Cornerstone of Peace monument in Mabuni, Itoman, on which are engraved the names of...

Chrysanthemum farmer has to dispose of 15% of his stock as coronavirus causes decrease in public funerals, participation in tomb sweeping festival

Chrysanthemum farmer has to dispose of 15% of his stock as coronavirus causes decrease in public funerals, participation in tomb sweeping festival

May 27, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Daitetsu Teruya and Sanenori Kinjo

 

Nanbu – Chrysanthemum farmers, who were already facing a harsh business environment due to low prices in recent years, have taken a major hit due to the effects of the coronavirus. With the declaration of...