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“I Realized Its Importance when It Burned Down” 11-meter Mural Imbued with Wishes for Recovery Graduation Projects by Shuri High School Department of Dyeing and Weaving Design Students

“I Realized Its Importance when It Burned Down”  11-meter Mural Imbued with Wishes for Recovery Graduation Projects by Shuri High School Department of Dyeing and Weaving Design Students

February 7, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

Between January 28 and February 2, graduation projects by the 33 third-year students in the Shuri High School Department of Dyeing and Weaving Design were displayed in the 60th Dyeing and Weaving Exhibition at the Naha Shimin Gallery in Kumoji, Naha.

One hundred and forty-six student works including kijaku (cloth used to make traditional Japanese clothing) and neckties were on display. One work that stood out among these was a mural (2.5 m high and...

 

Okinawa and Japan to coordinate use of Shuri Castle reconstruction donation funds

Okinawa and Japan to coordinate use of Shuri Castle reconstruction donation funds

February 6, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

On February 6, Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki and Naha City Mayor Mikiko Shiroma held an interview at the Prefectural Office and confirmed that the Okinawa prefectural government will coordinate with the central government toward allocating donations for the reconstruction...

Okinawa’s population reaches 1,456,417, an increase of 5,482 over last January

Okinawa’s population reaches 1,456,417, an increase of 5,482 over last January

February 1, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

The estimated prefectural population as of January 1, 2020, announced by the Okinawa Prefecture Statistics Division on January 31, was 1,456,417, an increase of 618 people (0.04%) from the previous month, and an increase of 5,482 people (0.38%) compared to January...

Cruise ship filled with cargo instead of passengers arrives at Naha Port as ship stops taking passengers due to corona virus

Cruise ship filled with cargo instead of passengers arrives at Naha Port as ship stops taking passengers due to corona virus

January 30, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

Amid the spread of the corona virus, China has put in place restrictions such as the banning of group travel, and as a result on two cruise ships containing no passengers arrived at Naha Port January 29.

In addition to the Chinese passengers who had to...

Spreading sanshin and Ryukyu language in the US

Spreading sanshin and Ryukyu language in the US

February 2, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Tamiko Suzuki

Virginia, U.S.A.—Minae Uehara, Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI) coordinator of the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership, is working hard to get students and kids interested in Japan.

Uehara, a native of Oroku, Naha City,...

The campaign to become the best in Japanese pro baseball begins for eight teams in Okinawa

The campaign to become the best in Japanese pro baseball begins for eight teams in Okinawa

February 1, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

Japanese professional baseball kicked off their spring training camp February 1, with eight teams starting their training camps in various locations around Okinawa: the first string players for the Hanshin Tigers (Ginoza), Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters (Nago),...

Shuri Castle fire investigation ‘inconclusive’, Okinawa Police Department says

Shuri Castle fire investigation ‘inconclusive’, Okinawa Police Department says

January 29, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Okinawa Prefectural Police Department’s First Investigations Division ended its investigation of the Shuri Castle fire, in which six buildings including the castle’s seiden main hall was burned to the ground.

The police department previously collected...

Nakijin Castle cherry blossoms create wondrous scene for Nakijin Castle Cherry Blossom Festival

Nakijin Castle cherry blossoms create wondrous scene for Nakijin Castle Cherry Blossom Festival

January 31, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

Prior to the 13th annual Nakijin Castle Cherry Blossom Festival (sponsored by the action committee for the festival), the start of which is February 1, preparations for lighting up the cherry trees and Nakijin Castle were underway.

The cold on the night...

Cold Mornings! Winter Comes to Okinawa 11.3 C in Oku, Kunigami

Cold Mornings! Winter Comes to Okinawa 11.3 C in Oku, Kunigami

January 30, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

On January 30, the coldest temperatures this winter were recorded at 13 Okinawan meteorological observatories.

The cold weather was due to movement of a cold air mass in the upper atmosphere caused by a high-pressure system jutting out from the Asian continent.

At...

Hawaii United Okinawa Association welcomes new president

Hawaii United Okinawa Association welcomes new president

January 26, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Hanae Gushiken Higa

Waipahu, HAWAII—The Hawaii United Okinawa Association (HUOA) held its Uchinanchu of the Year Awards and Officers Installation Celebration on January 18 at the Hawaii Okinawa Center.

HUOA is comprised of 50 member clubs, each...

2019 “Sympathy Budget” is 197.4 billion yen, 7 trillion yen cumulative cost to Japan since 1978

2019 “Sympathy Budget” is 197.4 billion yen, 7 trillion yen cumulative cost to Japan since 1978

January 18, 2020 Ryukyu Shimpo

It has now been 60 years since 1960, when the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty was revised. For 60 years Okinawa has been left to suffer damage from military bases in the name of the security guarantee.

Outside of Okinawa there has been a reduction in U.S. military...