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National Governors’ Association reaffirms intention to pursue revision of U.S.-Japan SOFA

National Governors’ Association reaffirms intention to pursue revision of U.S.-Japan SOFA

July 25, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Last year, the Japan National Governors’ Association (chaired by Kiyoshi Ueda, governor of Saitama Prefecture) adopted a proposal requesting that the State drastically revise the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). This year the conference was held in Toyama Prefecture and on July 24, the final day of the conference, Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki said, “I hope governors from all over the country cooperate [to make good on the proposal].”...

 

Japan’s 100-yen coin gets a special Karate design commemorating the upcoming Tokyo Olympics

Japan’s 100-yen coin gets a special Karate design commemorating the upcoming Tokyo Olympics

July 24, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) began putting 100-yen coins with a Karate design into circulation July 24.

The new coin was minted to commemorate the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, and is joined by six other commemorative designs featuring events such...

Fourth-generation Okinawan descendant from New Caledonia meets her Okinawan relatives

Fourth-generation Okinawan descendant from New Caledonia meets her Okinawan relatives

July 26, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

On July 25, fourth-generation Okinawan descendant Emilie Thosei Miyasato, 17, met with her relatives Miyoko Uema, 78, and Sadako Majikina, 72, who live in Futenma, Ginowan. Emilie is visiting from New Caledonia to trace her roots.

Tears welled up in her eyes...

In ten years, seven former defense ministry personnel re-hired at companies contracted for Henoko-related work

In ten years, seven former defense ministry personnel re-hired at companies contracted for Henoko-related work

July 17, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

(Tokyo) It recently came to light that during the ten years leading up to the end of fiscal 2018, seven Ministry of Defense (MOD) personnel, upon retiring from the MOD, landed high-ranking jobs at three construction consulting firms that were involved in putting...

Shimojishima welcomes first international flight operated by HK Express

Shimojishima welcomes first international flight operated by HK Express

July 20, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

HK Express, a Hong Kong-based low-cost carrier (LCC) launched nonstop service between Hong Kong and Shimojishima on July 19. The route is the first to offer international access to Irabu, Miyako island. Shimojishima Airport held a ceremony to commemorate the inaugural...

Base-Opposing Takara wins House of Councillors Election, bolstering the momentum of Okinawa’s anti-base contingent

Base-Opposing Takara wins House of Councillors Election, bolstering the momentum of Okinawa’s anti-base contingent

January 22, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo Digital Edition

Voting for the 25th House of Councillors election, which coincides with a term limit in Okinawa, concluded voting at 8:00 p.m. on July 21.

The election in Okinawa saw four candidates competing for a single seat, and taking into account early...

Ryukyu Blue Oceans: Okinawa’s first-ever pro baseball team

Ryukyu Blue Oceans: Okinawa’s first-ever pro baseball team

July 19, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

BASE Okinawa Baseball Club is forming Okinawa’s first professional baseball team, and intends to join the NPB, Nippon Professional Baseball Organization.

The club’s president, Taishi Kobayashi and Executive Advisor Yasushi Tao, held a press conference...

Governor Tamaki holds a press conference discussing new Henoko lawsuit, hoping for “A ruling that will shine a light on the concept of regional autonomy”

Governor Tamaki holds a press conference discussing new Henoko lawsuit, hoping for “A ruling that will shine a light on the concept of regional autonomy”

July 17, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki held a press conference July 17 at the Okinawa Prefectural Office, where he discussed a lawsuit filed against the Japanese government in an attempt to overturn a decision made by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation...

Japanese government abandons plan to survey PFOS contamination on Kadena Air Base after being denied entrance over two consecutive years

Japanese government abandons plan to survey PFOS contamination on Kadena Air Base after being denied entrance over two consecutive years

July 11, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Manato Akira

The Okinawa Defense Bureau (ODB) made requests to enter Kadena Air Base to conduct surveys in 2017 and 2018 after high concentrations of contaminants such as the organic fluorine compound PFOS were detected in rivers and springs around U.S....

Okinawa’s tourism revenue for 2018 at record high of 733.4-billion yen

Okinawa’s tourism revenue for 2018 at record high of 733.4-billion yen

July 19, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

During the regular press conference on the morning of July 19, Okinawa Prefecture Governor Denny Tamaki announced the tourism revenue, including both domestic and foreign tourists (by air) for 2018.

Compared to the previous year, it was 733.4-billion yen,...

Vietnamese refugee and Okinawan rescuer reunited after 36 years

Vietnamese refugee and Okinawan rescuer reunited after 36 years

July 14, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Hiroe Nakagawa

After fleeing his native Vietnam, Masakazu Minami 50, (Vietnamese name: John Tai Tuan Vin), was rescued off the coast of Ho Chi Minh City by Okinawa Suisan (fishery) High School’s training vessel, the Shonan-maru. It was August 8, 1983....