Top News
May 16, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
Kunigami – A Noguchigera (Okinawa woodpecker) bird, which is both an endangered species and designated as a national special natural treasure, was photographed drinking from a deigo flower in Kunigami by photographer Hiroaki Yamashiro of Haebaru on May 15. The Noguchigera is Okinawa’s official bird, and the deigo is the official flower. The Noguchigera is an endemic species that only inhabits Yanbaru in northern Honshima.
The Kunigami forest is approaching...
May 12, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
From 6 p.m. on May 11, a protest titled “5.11 Village Convention Opposed to Repeated Hanging Training by the U.S. Helicopter” was held at the Toguchi Gate of U.S. Army Torii Station. The convention called for discontinuation of training involving vehicles being...
May 10, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
The U.S. military conducted drop training using parachutes around 7:30 p.m. on May 10 at Kadena Air Base. According to town officials, this is the first parachute drop training to be conducted at night since the Japan-US Special Action Committee on Okinawa was announced....
May 15, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
On May 15, Okinawa reached the milestone of 45 years of reversion to Japan from U.S. occupation.
Okinawans have aspired to make their islands free of military bases, but have still not realized their dream.
The Japanese government is forcibly...
April 29, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
At the 16th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) being held at the United Nations headquarters, a representative for the Asia region prepared a statement indicating that the construction of a new base in Okinawa is being pushed...
April 27, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
Washington Special Correspondent Yukiyo Zaha reporting
On the morning on April 25 (local time), the 16th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues that convened at the United Nations Headquarters in New York held a meeting between the UN General...
May 10, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
By Hiroko Sato
“’We want to send a message to the world from Okinawa.’ The movie was created by a group with this mindset.”
Okinawan-born actor Shogen’s face may have imposing, lofty features, but in an instant it can change into a warm smile....
May 10, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
Bird Week began on May 10. Many wild birds can be seen resting by the “Triangle Pond” in Yone, Tomigusuku City. On May 8, bystanders witnessed a pair of waterhens drive back a grey heron for approaching their nest. Also on May 8 at Ryutan located in Shurimawashi...
May 4, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
On May 4, at the Nakata Shokai in Sesoko, Motobu, goat fighting, or pijaorasai was held. Approximately 500 people from the town and visitors gathered and watched goat-fighting as they enjoyed goat sashimi and goat soup.
Twenty goats from Motobu Town and Nago...
May 6, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
Tarama Island’s traditional event “Stuupunaka festival” was held on May 5 and 6, with locals gathering to give thanks for the year of good harvest and pray for community prosperity.
The dawn prayer began from the night of May 5, when elders sang...
May 3, 2017 Ryukyu Shimpo
The Okinawa Prefectural Assembly held an extraordinary plenary session on May 2, and unanimously passed a protest resolution and an opinion letter asking for an investigation into the cause of the alleged stray bullet incident and prevention of a recurrence. At the...