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“I understood how both the Uchinanchu and U.S. military felt.” Okinawan musician who grew up down the street from military base shares his story on the 49th anniversary of the Koza Riot

“I understood how both the Uchinanchu and U.S. military felt.” Okinawan musician who grew up down the street from military base shares his story on the 49th anniversary of the Koza Riot

December 20, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Mikako Shimoji

Okinawa – The air was thick with the smell of smoke, and the people were filled with anger.

On December 20, 1970, 49 years ago, in an angry response to a U.S. military member causing a traffic accident as well as the response to the military police’s handling of the accident, Okinawans in Koza (modern day Okinawa City) set fire to cars in what is known as the “Koza Riot.”

Eiichi Miyanaga, 68, the drummer for...

 

Editorial: It has been one year since the start of land reclamation in Henoko. Japan should end construction Henoko and close MCAS Futenma

December 14, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Does the Japanese government consider Okinawans as Japanese? Their extreme arrogance fill us with these doubts.

December 14 marks one year since the government started reclaiming land along the coast of Henoko, with the goal of building new base facilities...

How far will costs rise? 147.1 billion yen already spent on mere 1% of Henoko land reclamation, prefectural government estimates total of 2.55 trillion

How far will costs rise? 147.1 billion yen already spent on mere 1% of Henoko land reclamation, prefectural government estimates total of 2.55 trillion

December 14, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

December 14 marks one year from the day that the government started dumping soil into the bay for the new base construction in Henoko, Nago.

In the past year, roughly 1% of the total soil required for the land reclamation project has been filled in. Going...

Here’s what to know about the new food hall on Kokusai Street

Here’s what to know about the new food hall on Kokusai Street

December 17, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

On December 16, South Island Spice Co., Ltd. (Naha City,) owned by Spice Works Inc. (Tokyo, CEO: Wataru Shimotono) launched the “Okinawa Kokusai Noren-gai” food hall complex inside the former Okinawa Mitsukoshi building in Makishi, Naha City.

The...

Shurijo Castle Park reopens majority of restricted area after fire

Shurijo Castle Park reopens majority of restricted area after fire

December 12, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

Shurijo Castle Park Management Center announced on December 11 that areas of the park affected by the fire will partially reopen to the public on December 12; namely the Kankaimon, Kyukeimon and Kofukumon gates, the Iri-no Azana (west azana watchtower) and the...

Nansei Islands Dugong Declared Critically Endangered The World’s Largest Nature Conservation Network Worries about the Impact of New Base Construction

Nansei Islands Dugong Declared Critically Endangered The World’s Largest Nature Conservation Network Worries about the Impact of New Base Construction

December 12, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

On December 10, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced that the dugong that inhabit the waters around the Nansei Islands are critically endangered.

The IUCN is the world’s largest nature conservation organization with more...

New species of squid discovered in Okinawa named after Nobel Laureate and OIST founder Sydney Brenner

New species of squid discovered in Okinawa named after Nobel Laureate and OIST founder Sydney Brenner

December 12, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

New species continue to be discovered in the ocean around Okinawa.

The sea anemone that has been raised for many years at Churaumi Aquarium was confirmed to be a new species.

A research team that includes members from the Okinawa Institute of Science...

“This is an outrageous situation. We cannot allow it.” Mayor of Kin and Igei Ward head protest the dropping of flares in rice fields

“This is an outrageous situation. We cannot allow it.” Mayor of Kin and Igei Ward head protest the dropping of flares in rice fields

December 10, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Kin – After an incident where three mortar flares were dropped on private property such as rice paddies in the Igei ward of Kin, Kin mayor Hajime Nakama and Igei Ward chief Hitoshi Yamazato visited Kazunori Tanaka, head of the Okinawa Defense Bureau (ODB),...

“Mainland” intellectuals to issue statement opposing “militarization” of Miyako and Ishigaki

“Mainland” intellectuals to issue statement opposing “militarization” of Miyako and Ishigaki

December 4, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Thirty-two intellectuals, journalists and the like from outside Okinawa have decided to issue a collective statement in opposition to the deployment of Ground Self-Defense Forces in Miyako Island, Ishigaki Island and other outlying islands, and are currently gathering...

Editorial:Testu Nakamura Killed – Wishing to Carry on His Legacy of Nonviolence

December 6, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Tetsu Nakamura, a physician and representative of Peshawar-kai in Afghanistan, was shot by an armed group and died. Peshawar-kai is a non-governmental organization working to aid Afghanistan’s recovery. Nakamura was a champion of nonviolence and worked endlessly...

Okinawa and Tetsu Nakamura, doctor slain in Afghanistan

Okinawa and Tetsu Nakamura, doctor slain in Afghanistan

December 4, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Haruko Tabuki

Japanese physician Tetsu Nakamura was recently shot and killed in Afghanistan.

The recipient of the inaugural Okinawa Peace Prize as the Peshawar-kai representative for Afghanistan, Nakamura had deep ties with Okinawa.

He...