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Rope breaks for the first time at annual Great Tug-of-War

Rope breaks for the first time at annual Great Tug-of-War

October 13, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

The 49th annual Naha Giant Tug-of-War took place on October 13, at the Kumoji intersection on Route 58. The event, organized by the Office of the Conservation Society of the Naha Giant Tug-of-War, attracted about 270,000 locals, Japanese tourists, and visitors from abroad. The 15,000 contest participants split in two teams—East and West, and the “pull” commenced at 4:35 p.m. Both teams shouted “hah-iyah!” as they tugged at the rope in a back-and-forth...

 

Web Exclusive: Looking back on the distressful 12 years in Takae through photos

Web Exclusive: Looking back on the distressful 12 years in Takae through photos

October 11, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Yoko Tabuki

Imagine a highland with spectacular views of lush green forests and the great Pacific Ocean, where during the day, the Okinawa rail and the Okinawa woodpecker can be heard, while at night, stars fill the sky. That’s Takae in a nutshell....

Miyakojima residents protest construction of GDSF ammunition depot

Miyakojima residents protest construction of GDSF ammunition depot

October 8, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

On the morning of October 7 the Ministry of Defense started construction on a Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) ammunition depot at Bora mine in Gusukube, Miyakojima City, Okinawa.

There was no time between the explanatory meeting and the construction starting....

Effort to add Ryukyu cuisine and Awamori to UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list picks up steam as official statement is adopted at rally in Naha

Effort to add Ryukyu cuisine and Awamori to UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list picks up steam as official statement is adopted at rally in Naha

October 6, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

The committee to promote the adding of Ryukyu cuisine and Awamori to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list (chaired by Masaaki Yasuda) held a rally for Okinawans at Tenbusu Naha on October 5.

The vice-chair of the committee, Tokyo University of Agriculture...

Violinist from Okinawa returns to her hometown to perform

Violinist from Okinawa returns to her hometown to perform

October 8, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
Yoko Takaesu

Ryoko Berkes (maiden name Sunagawa), 47, originally from Naha is a violinist who is a part of a Hungarian orchestra.

Classical music is popular in Hungary, which is located in Eastern Europe. According to a representative of the Friends...

In exclusive interview, Putin advisor Sergei Glazyev indicates Okinawan Bases, “Impediment for Russo-Japanese relations,” indicates a harmful subordination to the U.S.

In exclusive interview, Putin advisor Sergei Glazyev indicates Okinawan Bases, “Impediment for Russo-Japanese relations,” indicates a harmful subordination to the U.S.

October 7, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
Tsuyoshi Arakaki

Sergei Glazyev, a top economic advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, gave an exclusive interview to the Ryukyu Shimpo October 6, in which he commented on issues and hopes for Russo-Japanese relations, as well as other topics such as...

World Natural Heritage Site evaluations in Okinawa

World Natural Heritage Site evaluations in Okinawa

October 7, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, the “northern part of Okinawa island” and Iriomote Island was nominated by the Japanese government for the UNESCO World Natural Heritage status.

Experts from UNESCO’s advisory body, the International Union...

Russian government officials and mayors making advances toward Okinawa

Russian government officials and mayors making advances toward Okinawa

October 7, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Russian government officials and regional mayors are making advances toward Okinawa in the hope of increasing economic exchange with Okinawa.

In regards to his meeting with Governor Denny Tamaki in Saint Petersburg in June, Sergey Glazyev, who was appointed...

U.S. informs Russia of plans to deploy intermediate-range missiles to Okinawa in the next two years, worrying some that the base burden will increase significantly

U.S. informs Russia of plans to deploy intermediate-range missiles to Okinawa in the next two years, worrying some that the base burden will increase significantly

October 3, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
Tsuyoshi Arakakai

After withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty) on August 2, the U.S. announced that it would be deploying a large quantity of intermediate-range ballistic missiles, which were banned under the treaty, to...

Korean exchange students tour Okinawa to improve Japan-Korea relationships

Korean exchange students tour Okinawa to improve Japan-Korea relationships

October 3, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

“We can become good friends.” A group of 10 Korean college students toured in and outside of Okinawa during their visit to Japan.

The group arrived in Okinawa on September 30 and returned home on October 2.

They visited the Himeyuri Peace Museum...

Community roundtable for island-wide debate on SDGs and inclusivity

Community roundtable for island-wide debate on SDGs and inclusivity

September 29, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

“Community Roundtable to Promote SDGs”, a platform to allow island-wide discussions on advancing SDGs (United Nations sustainable development goals), was held on September 28 at the Okinawa Prefectural Library in Naha City.
A group of 80 residents...