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October 24, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
GINOWAN—Parents and guardians of the students of Midorigaoka nursery school is organizing an interactive music and talk event, “Kotori Fest—skies are for little birds” to be held at the Ginowan Central Community Center on November 24 at 2:30 p.m., just short of two years since a U.S. military helicopter part fell and landed on the school.
The organizers are currently crowd funding the event on YUIMA. Admission will be free.
Musician Mugi the Cat, singer Misako Koja, FEC comedian Isao Nago-shibu as “Yagi no Shiru”, and the Tida Baton Team Okinawa will take the stage.
The event will provide a play area for kids and a nursing room. A limited quantity of Japanese curry rice and snacks will be served.
A relay-discussion is planned for the event to reflect on past incidents, including the U.S. helicopter crash at Miyamori Elementary School and Okinawa International University.
Planning Committee Chair Tomoko Miyagi, 50, hopes for a great turn out: “In the past two years, the situation [of U.S. military aircrafts flying over day care facilities] hasn’t improved, it’s getting worse.
I hope the event will serve as an opportunity for people to realize that there’s something wrong with the picture.”
For inquiries, e-mail: midorigaoka1207@gmail.com.
Click on the link below to contribute to their crowd funding efforts at YUIMA:
Creating a safe environment for children to play and learn in
https://yuima-okinawa.jp/project/detail/573
(English translation by T&CT and Monica Shingaki)
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October 24, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo online edition
On October 24, citizens opposing construction of the Futenma replacement facility in Henoko, Nago City gathered at Ryukyu Cement Co. pier in Awa and shouted things like: “Don’t destroy democracy” and “Stop wasting tax money.”
It was the third day of “Stop Henoko – 5 successive days of activism” which started on October 21. According to citizens, until 10:30 a.m. at most 150 people gathered there.
At 7:00 a.m. 8 construction vehicles stood by in front of the pier, citizens blocking their way until 9:00 a.m. when the vehicles retreated.
Yuichi Fukuda (70 years old, from Tokyo), who has been participating in protests for several years, said: “Many peoople are coming from both within and outside of the prefecture to stop construction.
I feel that if we vigilantly continue, we will prevail.”
As of noon that day, operations at the pier had not yet begun. According to citizens, there were also no construction vehicles confirmed entering or leaving Shiokawa at Motobu Port or Camp Schwab.
(English translation by T&CT and Erin Jones)
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October 19, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
On October 17, it was confirmed that the sea surface around Oura Bay, where construction work for the new military base in Henoko, Nago, Okinawa in conjunction with the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma is underway, was muddied by red clay soil.
This appears to be the result of heavy rains on that day. The photograph was captured by the civic group Okinawa Drone Project using a small drone.
From the image, it can be seen that the sea in the land reclamation zone is colored brown.
Similarly, around the silt curtain installed to the north of the “K9 seawall” on the Oura Bay side, outflow of muddied water from the edge of the silt curtain, which extends in a straight line, was also confirmed.
“A silt curtain is installed for protection against muddied water arising at the site.
It has no effect if it doesn’t surround the periphery of the contamination source,” pointed out civil engineer Tsuyoshi Kitaueda.
The Ryukyu Shimpo made an inquiry to the Okinawa Defense Bureau as to why a silt curtain was installed that doesn’t surround the contamination source, but as of October 18 it has received no reply.
(English translation by T&CT and Sandi Aritza)
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October 19, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
OKINAWA ISLAND—Is the coconut crab chatty?
On October 18, researchers of the Okinawa Churashima Foundation (Motobu); the National Research and Development Agency, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency (Kanagawa prefecture); and the Conservation & Animal Welfare Trust Okinawa (Uruma) presented their findings on the sound production mechanisms of the coconut crab (Birgus latro), the largest terrestrial crustacean.
The study indicates a strong possibility that coconut crabs “converse” with each other, by actively producing sounds varying in intensity and rhythm.
The researchers are driven to comprehend the crab’s “conversations”, and said they will continue with the research.
The coconut crab is a crustacean found in the tropical and semitropical regions of the Pacific, and are designated an endangered species.
The research group took special notice of the clattering and sputtering sounds made by the coconut crab while conducting research at the Ocean Expo Park and in the Yaeyama Islands.
Based on X-ray videography and anatomical observations, the group found that the crabs produced sounds by vertically vibrating the scaphognathite (located behind its jaw), drumming it against the walls of the chamber containing the scaphognathite.
The crabs were found to produce various levels of sounds at various intervals for different occasions, such as mating and when captured.
Lead researcher Shinichiro Oka (Okinawa Churashima Foundation) said, “The coconut crab has an interesting biology; for example, its claws can pinch with a force 100 times its own weight, and has a life expectancy of nearly 50 years.
Higher public interest helps with conservation, so we will continue to study it.”
(English translation by T&CT and Monica Shingaki)
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October 21, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki returned to Okinawa October 20 from a trip to the United States, where he was requesting a halt to the relocation of MCAS Futenma to Henoko in Nago.
In a statement given on the day of arrival, Tamaki reported that his meetings with U.S. Congress members were “fruitful” and that “Even though there was a very limited amount of time, I was able to directly tell a large number of people about the state of affairs in Okinawa as well as my thoughts.
I want to put this to good use towards future endeavors.”
During this visit to the U.S. the governor met with members of both the Senate and House of Representatives, who are in the middle of working out the defense authorization bill for the 2020 fiscal year (October 2019 – September 2020), which decides the general framework for the U.S. national defense budget.
The governor informed Congress members of problems such as the soft ground and active fault line found at the proposed construction site for the new base, issues with construction technology, and the long delays for completing the base.
Additionally, Tamaki commented, “I told them that an investigation and expense audit was necessary by the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
It was very meaningful to be able to tell them to rethink the return of MCAS Futenma and new base construction at Henoko.”
Tamaki also met with experts in diplomacy, defense, and economics, saying, “There was a very productive exchange of views about the effects the changes in the U.S.-Japan alliance as well as the security environment in the Indo-Pacific region would have on the U.S. military bases in Okinawa.”
Reflecting on the speech he gave at Stanford University, he said, “I told many people about the base problem in Okinawa.
I also told them about thinking what they should be doing as concerned people, and the importance of solving problems by having dialogue to better understand one another.”
However, the speech was attended by less than 100 people, and it could be said that there was still some issues around the hosting of the event.
After delivering his statement at the Naha airport, Governor Tamaki declined to answer questions.
(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)
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October 10, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
Okinawan magician MASA MAGIC took first place in the Strolling Magic Showdown, an event in which magicians from around the globe compete in Los Angeles. This is the second win for MASA MAGIC, who won the competition for the first time in June of last year.
The Strolling Magic Showdown is held three times a year at the Magic Castle, an institution known to many as the “mecca of magic,” which attracts magicians from all corners of the world. Judges designated by the Magic Castle assesses the ten competing magicians from around the world.
MASA MAGIC performed on October 8, showing off his tricks in front of 35 judges before successfully taking first place.
The Okinawan native studied broad in the U.S. after graduating high school. It was during this time that he honed his skills, performing at restaurants and at parties. He became the first Japanese magician to pass the Magic Castle audition in 2016.
(English translation by T&CT and Monica Shingaki)
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October 18, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
On October 17 it came to light through an investigation by Emeritus Professor Hajime Oshiro of the University of the Ryukyus that the regional economic circulation ratio within Okinawa Prefecture is 78.8 percent, which demonstrates that the degree of independence of the local Okinawan economy is the 4th worst ranked within Japan. The “leak rate” of 21.2 percent represents the money that does not remain in the region but outflows from the region, which is calculated to account for 1,010.5 billion yen outflowing from Okinawa.
Professor Oshiro’s calculations are based on the FY2013 numbers from the Regional Economy and Society Analyzing System (RESAS). According to Professor Oshiro, Okinawa produced 4,761.5 billion yen in FY2013, but the final demand only amounted to 3,751.0 billion yen.
In order of degree of independence, the national worst ranked prefecture was Iwate Prefecture with a regional economic circulation ratio of 75.5 percent and a leak rate of 24.5 percent, the second-worst ranked was Nara Prefecture with a circulation ratio of 76.2 percent and a leak rate of 23.8 percent, and the third-worst ranked was Saitama Prefecture with a circulation ratio of 77.7 percent and a leak rate of 22.3 percent.
Okinawa’s business district
Those prefectures with the highest circulation rates were greater metropolitan areas. The prefecture with the highest circulation rate was Tokyo Prefecture at 154.2 percent, followed by Osaka Prefecture at 108.0 percent and Aichi Prefecture at 106.8 percent. The results show that regional economic activity tends to flow into metropolitan areas.
Professor Oshiro pointed out that: “21.2 percent of Okinawa’s finance leaks out of the prefecture. Its condition as a ‘zaru economy’ has not improved, and it is still mid-way to being a self-sustaining economy.”He also emphasized: “Money comes into Okinawa Prefecture, centered in industries related to tourism, but Okinawa cannot retain it. There are requests for efforts toward local consumption of local product, in other words toward products used locally being locally produced.”
Data such as the populations of various regions on the map, regional economic circulation maps, and industrial structures are available through the RESAS, which was created by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Cabinet Office.
Translator’s note: A “zaru economy” might be loosely translated as a “sieve economy,” meaning money earned in the region does not penetrate into the region’s economy, but flows out of the region.
(English translation by T&CT and Erin Jones)
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![Orix Buffaloes select Konan High School’s Hiroya Miyagi with their first pick in the draft; “I want to return the favor [of support] to my hometown.”](http://english.ryukyushimpo.jp/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/59adfef993dc098a0f00a0a0e0c9ecfb-175x175.jpg)
October 17, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo Digital Edition
The Nippon Professional Baseball New Player Selection Conference (the draft) was held in Tokyo on October 17, and the Orix Buffaloes selected Konan High School pitcher Hiroya Miyagi with their first pick.
Miyagi was selected to represent Japan in the Baseball World Cup on both the U-15 and U-18 teams in his third year of junior high school and high school respectively. He has been a member of the Konan high school team since his first year at the school, and appeared in the National Baseball High School Championship in his first and second year of high school. Miyagi is a left-handed pitcher with a 149 km. fastball.
Statement from Miyagi
“I am absolutely happy. I waited normally without any nervousness. Since I have been supported by my team I want to do my best so that I can return the favor to my hometown. Orix has a lot of young players, and I do not want to lose out to the. Another Konan alum, Koji Oshiro, is on the team, and I want to join him as one of the regulars.”
Hiroya Miyagi – Born: August 25, 2001; Throws: Left; Bats: Left.
(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)
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October 16, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
On October 15, the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly held September’s final session. The assembly unanimously agreed on a memorandum requesting drastic revisions to the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement. This was in response to a U.S. Marine Corps vertical take-off and landing transport aircraft MV-22 Osprey crashing into Abu, Nago. The Nakagusuku Coast Guard’s Office sent the papers to the public prosecutor’s office and left the names of the suspects unknown. It also requests for domestic laws, such as aviation laws and environmental laws, to apply to actions by the U.S. military as well. A memorandum requesting measures to promote independence of underpopulated areas was also unanimously agreed upon.
The memorandum requesting the revision to the Status of Forces Agreement pointed out that the reason why Japan was unable to sufficiently investigate past U.S. military aircraft accidents is “due to an unfair Status of Forces Agreement that gives primary jurisdiction to the U.S military for accidents while on duty and does not obligate the U.S. to cooperate with the investigation.” The memorandum thereby explains the need for revision.
The memorandum for promoting independence of underpopulated areas reads, “The application of laws for depopulation countermeasures is 10 years behind compared to other prefectures, and it is difficult to provide broader-based local governmental services due to being a prefecture that is comprised of islands. The financial footing of Okinawa prefecture’s underpopulated municipalities is weak, and the government’s strong support is needed to eliminate disparities.”
Okinawa Prefecture Ordinance for the Protection of Rare Endangered Species was also unanimously agreed upon. The ordinance identifies species that are in grave danger of extinction, and prohibits capturing, harvesting, killing, and wounding such species. A violation will lead to imprisonment and/or fines. This ordinance has also now made it possible for the prefecture to restrict entry and/or development of select areas by designating sanctuaries for habitats of rare endangered species.
As a supplementary budget, the general account budget was increased by 11,165,000-yen making the total 1,235,636,000-yen. This additional budget was added to support the efforts to secure drivers for route bus companies and was also unanimously agreed upon.
(English translation by T&CT and Chelsea Ashimine)
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October 13, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
The Asian Women Social Entrepreneur Network (AWSEN) Summit kicked off at the Okinawa Prefectural Library in Naha October 12. The theme of the summit was, “Things we can do to leave no one behind – the first step towards realizing SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) created in Okinawa, the bridge between Japan and Asia,” and through speeches by female entrepreneurs from Japan and other regions of Asia, further the discussion about sustainable business and economic activity.
The summit was co-hosted by Okinawa Prefecture, the Okinawa Industry Promotion Corporation, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Okinawa International Center, and the Ryukyu Shimpo supported the summit as media partner. Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki said at the opening ceremony, “This is a good chance to transmit from Okinawa the existence of businesses that can achieve SDGs. AWSEN chair Sayaka Watanabe commented, “I want to spend the next two days thinking about what we can do looking towards the future.”
Speakers at the summit included female entrepreneurs from Vietnam, Indonesia, and Myanmar, and topics ranged from the business climate in Asia to outlooks on the future. The final day of the summit will take place at the Okinawa Prefectural Library October 13 starting at 10:00 a.m. Information about the summit can be found on the Ryukyu Shimpo homepage.
(English translated by T&CT and Sam Grieb)
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October 13, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
The Ryukyu Shimpo learned that at a meeting of the Environmental Oversight Committee held by the Okinawa Defense Bureau in September regarding the construction of a new military base in Henoko, Nago, one of the committee members stated that the dugongs that have been sighted in the waters around Okinawa Island, including around the base construction site, are “highly likely extinct.” Meanwhile, experts concerned about the impact that the new base construction will have on the dugong’s habitat say that a large-scale survey must be conducted before determining that the dugong is extinct, and offer the critique that the new base construction work should be suspended in order to verify a causal relationship with the construction.
The comment in question was made at the 21st meeting of the Environmental Oversight Committee held on September 9. According to minutes of the meeting disclosed by the Defense Bureau, a member stated, with regard to the fact that the two dugongs called “Specimen A” and “Specimen C” have been unaccounted for since the new base construction started, “I believe it is highly likely that they are extinct, but I think a large-scale survey could be performed to verify whether that is the case.”
Another committee member mentioned the possibility that Specimen A and Specimen C had moved to a different area of the ocean, and said that a large-scale survey would be necessary for identification. The Defense Bureau expressed opposition to the idea of a large-scale survey.
“It’s certainly true that the dugongs around Okinawa face the threat of extinction” said Hideki Yoshikawa of the Save the Dugong Campaign Center. “That’s precisely why the government should suspend the construction for two or three years to see if the dugongs come back.”
“Japan’s environmental administration should do their utmost to verify whether Specimen A and Specimen C are still alive,” said Mariko Abe of the Nature Conservation Society of Japan, calling on the Ministry of the Environment to perform a large-scale survey.
(English translation by T&CT and Sandi Aritza)
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