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Pink cherry blossoms bloom against blue sky in Nago ahead of Sakura Suubu contest

Pink cherry blossoms bloom against blue sky in Nago ahead of Sakura Suubu contest

January 5, 2022 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Cherry blossoms are blooming at Nago Castle Park, a famous cherry blossom spot, and nearly in full bloom at one home in Agarie, Nago City.

 

The residence has previously won the Sakura Suubu, Agarie’s annual community contest to compare blooming cherry blossom flowers planted along the streets and at residential homes within the district.

 

The resident of the same home, a woman in her 50s, smiled and...

　

Eighty students of all ages join year’s first karate practice on beach

Eighty students of all ages join year’s first karate practice on beach

January 4, 2022 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Erina Ishii

 

On January 3, the Shorin Ryu Kyudokan Meihokai Kids Karate School located in Nagata in Ginowan, Okinawa, held their first practice of the new year at Tropical Beach. Approximately 80 students, from four-year-old children to adults,...

In year-opening statement, Governor Tamaki plans to release a proposal for the 50th anniversary of the reversion “taking into account the opinions of Okinawan residents,” resolves to reduce the burden of U.S. military bases

In year-opening statement, Governor Tamaki plans to release a proposal for the 50th anniversary of the reversion “taking into account the opinions of Okinawan residents,” resolves to reduce the burden of U.S. military bases

January 4, 2022 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki delivered year-opening remarks to employees at the Okinawa Prefectural Office on January 4, and said regarding the 50th anniversary of Okinawa being reverted to Japanese control, “We will take into consideration the...

Gov. Tamaki determined to “expand circle of trust” in the new year, Kudakajima Yuimaru-no-kai gifts ganshina

Gov. Tamaki determined to “expand circle of trust” in the new year, Kudakajima Yuimaru-no-kai gifts ganshina

December 30, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Masaaki Umeda

 

The Kudakajima Yuimaru-no-kai (chaired by Yoshihisa Nishime), which aims to conserve Kudaka Island’s tradition, met with Governor Denny Tamaki at the Okinawa Prefectural Government Office on December 28 and gifted a...

As it enters its 50th year since the reversion, the monument built to commemorate it stands over an island closing a tumultuous 2021

As it enters its 50th year since the reversion, the monument built to commemorate it stands over an island closing a tumultuous 2021

December 31, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By John Matsumoto

 

Disrupted by the coronavirus and damaged by pumice created by an undersea volcanic explosion, Okinawa finally looks to end a tumultuous 2021.

2022 will mark the 50th anniversary of Okinawa being reverted...

Okinawa City resident donates street piano to Plaza House Shopping Center

Okinawa City resident donates street piano to Plaza House Shopping Center

December 29, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Takeshi Kishimoto

 

Okinawa – On December 10, a street piano was installed in the Plaza House Shopping Center in Okinawa City. This is the first street piano in the central part of Okinawa Island.

 

The piano was donated...

One in two Kadena residents are plaintiffs in the fourth Kadena noise lawsuit

One in two Kadena residents are plaintiffs in the fourth Kadena noise lawsuit

December 29, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Erina Ishii

The fourth Kadena noise lawsuit has now become the largest-scale domestic class-action lawsuit with over 35,000 plaintiffs involved. One in two of the 7,752 Kadena Town residents have become plaintiffs in this lawsuit. This is an increase...

Okinawa eyes partial shutdown, governor Tamaki calls for prevention measures over New Year’s as Okinawa confirms more coronavirus cases

Okinawa eyes partial shutdown, governor Tamaki calls for prevention measures over New Year’s as Okinawa confirms more coronavirus cases

December 28, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Teppei Ikeda and Yukito Toyama

 

Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki gave a press conference on December 27, where he spoke on increased cases of COVID-19 in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island, as well as the spread of the omicron variant...

Okinawa’s development budget for 2022 falls below 300-billion-yen, Governor Tamaki decries “a very regrettable way to start Okinawa’s 50th year since the reversion”

Okinawa’s development budget for 2022 falls below 300-billion-yen, Governor Tamaki decries “a very regrettable way to start Okinawa’s 50th year since the reversion”

December 23 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Masaaki Umeda

 

Upon hearing the news on December 22 that the 2022 Okinawa Development Budget would fall below 300 billion yen for the first time in 10 years, dropping 33 billion yen to 268 billion, Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki made a statement,...

Mizuho distillery debuts Yonaguni Rum, second of eight islands series

Mizuho distillery debuts Yonaguni Rum, second of eight islands series

December 21, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Wu Li Jun

 

The Naha City-based distillery Mizuho Shuzo announced its newest creation, the Yonaguni Rum, which is made using brown sugar from Yonaguni Island. A limited quantity of 800 bottles will be marketed between December 22 and January...

U.S. military has not required pre-departure PCR testing for servicemembers coming to bases in Japan since September, has permitted movement between Bases During Periods of Activity Restrictions

U.S. military has not required pre-departure PCR testing for servicemembers coming to bases in Japan since September, has permitted movement between Bases During Periods of Activity Restrictions

December 24, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

By Manato Akira and Yosuke Anri

 

On December 23, a representative of the United States Forces Japan (USFJ) revealed to the Ryukyu Shimpo that PCR testing requirements when leaving the United States were lifted in September of this year for...