Ryukyu Shimpo Company History

1893 Sep.15 The first newspaper in Okinawa, the Ryukyu Shimpo, is published for the first time, the president being Jun Sho, and Chofu Ota the editor-in-chief. The Paper had a four-page format, 35.6×28.5cms, and was issued on alternative days. The address was 123 Nishi-village, Naha.
1903 Dec.20 Celebration for the 10th anniversary of the Ryukyu Shimpo and the completion of a new office building, the Nayo-kan
1906 Apr.1 Daily publication starts.
1914 Apr.25 5000th edition issued.
1940 Dec.20 Adviced by the Japanese government, the Ryukyu Shimpo becomes the Okinawa Shimpo, and combines with Okinawa Asahi newspaper and Okinawa Nippo. It continues during the war.
1945 May 25 With the fall of Suri Castle, the Okinawa Shimpo stops publication.
1945 Jul.26 The Uruma Shimpo (later in katakana) starts, the president being Kiyoshi Shima.
1951 Sep.10 Change of name to the Ryukyu Shimpo upon the San Francisco Peace Treaty.
1951 Oct.21 The two-page morning edition becomes a 4-page edition twice weekly.
1953 Jan.1 Contracts with United Press for the exchange of news.
1955 Mar.1 The evening edition takes a 2-page format.
1961 Feb.16 A link-up with the Japan Newspaper Publishers and Editors Association.
1978 Oct.15 The award of the Japan Newspaper Publishers and Editors Association for the news photos of Chinese fishing boats breaking the territorial limits off the Senkaku islands.
1983 Mar.1 The Shimpo Culture Center is established with nine courses and 45 classes.
1983 Sep.15 The 90th anniversary of the company’s establishment.
1985 Apr.1 The “Lequios” weekly feature starts.
1987 Aug.15 Award from the Japan Congress of Jornalist(JCJ).
1990 Jul.1 The Shimpo sports edition starts.
1990 Aug.24 Sponsorship of the Karatedo and kobudo World Festival as part of the World Uchinanchu Festival.
1992 Sep.23 The 30,000th edition.
1993 Sep.15 The 100th anniversary of the company’s establishment.
1995 Nov.15 Undertaking event-planning for the Uchinanchu Festival at the request of the prefectural government.
1996 May 24 The Ryukyu Shimpo homepage is set up.
1997 Feb.19 Contract agreement with China Times, the biggest news agency in Taiwan.
1998 Oct.15 The award of the Japan Newspaper Publishers and Editors Association for the special features on Day Car Services for Senior Citizens.
1999 Sep.30 Japan ABC confirms circulation at 200,1878 in April) at its 20th public audit.
1999 Nov.5 Construction of the new production center is completed in Ameku, Naha.
2002 May 1 Contracted reporter stationed in Washington, DC.
2002 Sep.15 110th anniversary of the company’s establishment.
2005 Mar.15 New headquarters building completed in Ameku, Naha.
2005 Sep.7 Received the Japan Newspaper Publishers and Editors Association Award for the “The Battle of Okinawa Newspaper”.
2013 Sep.15 120th anniversary of the company’s establishment.