Tag - okinawa

 
 

OKINAWA

JAPAN / Politics
Jan 20, 2017
Abe kicks off Diet session with vow to strengthen U.S. military alliance
Abe pledges to “further strengthen” the alliance with the U.S. in a speech at the outset of a six-month ordinary Diet session.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 16, 2017
Japan and U.S. sign deal clarifying civilian protection under SOFA
In a bid to reduce crimes committed by U.S. military base workers, Tokyo and Washington sign a supplementary agreement to limit and clarify the definition of the civilian component protected under the Status of Forces Agreement.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / OKINAWA BEAT
Jan 13, 2017
Okinawa prepares for new effort to block Henoko base by rallying local opposition
Okinawa Prefecture is scrambling to plot its next move in the wake of a recent Supreme Court ruling siding with the central government’s effort to relocate the operations of a U.S. military base within the prefecture despite fierce local opposition.
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Jan 9, 2017
Nonfatal Osprey crash in Okinawa brings safety fears to fore
The MV-22 Osprey accident last month in Okinawa rekindled concerns about the tilt-rotor aircraft, which was once known as the “widow maker” for those killed during its development.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media
Jan 6, 2017
Film director on a mission to convey Okinawa protests over U.S. forces
In late December, work to relocate U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma was resumed at its Okinawa replacement site in Nago to the fury of locals who fear the project will destroy their lives and the environment.
JAPAN
Jan 5, 2017
U.S. to resume Osprey in-flight refueling drills Friday despite Okinawa concerns
Less than a month after the crash of an MV-22 Osprey, the Defense Ministry on Thursday gave a tacit nod to the planned resumption.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jan 3, 2017
China confirms sole carrier conducted drills in ‘complex conditions’ in South China Sea
China’s sole aircraft carrier conducted drills in the South China Sea, the navy said, days after neighboring Taiwan said the carrier and accompanying ships had passed 90 nautical miles south of the island amid renewed tension between the two sides.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 27, 2016
Chinese groups seen forging ties with Okinawa independence activists
Chinese universities and think tanks are forming ties with Okinawa independence groups in a bid to divide public opinion in Japan, a Japanese government agency said in an annual report.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 26, 2016
Japan, U.S. agree to narrow scope of base workers protected by SOFA
Tokyo and Washington have effectively agreed to sign a supplementary treaty narrowing the scope of protection afforded to such workers by the Status of Forces Agreement.
EDITORIALS
Dec 21, 2016
Henoko dispute simmers on
The Supreme Court ruling in favor of the national government over construction of a new facility for the U.S. military in Okinawa Prefecture to replace the U.S. Marine’s Air Station Futenma will not end its bitter confrontation with the prefecture.
JAPAN
Dec 21, 2016
U.S. return of Okinawa training area faces harsh criticism from local residents
U.S. Forces Japan announces the return of more than half the Northern Training Area amid the growing anger of local residents.
JAPAN
Dec 14, 2016
Okinawa Osprey crash not due to mechanical error: top U.S. officials
Tuesday’s crash involving a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft off Okinawa was most likely not the result of mechanical error, the top commander of the U.S. military in Japan told Defense Minister Tomomi Inada in a phone call on Wednesday, according to government officials.
Japan Times
JAPAN / OKINAWA BEAT
Dec 9, 2016
Cruise liner influx overwhelming Miyakojima’s economy
Amid rising hopes for economic growth, Japan’s tourism boom has exposed the need for regional authorities to develop infrastructure and help secure the manpower needed to deal with the influx of foreign tourists.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 7, 2016
On Japan stop of Asia tour, Carter reassures Inada over Trump fears
The defense secretary says the United States remains committed to the alliance and the broader Asia-Pacific region.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 5, 2016
Japan’s first lady offers critics a household hotline to Abe
With high approval ratings stoking speculation that Shinzo Abe could become Japan’s longest-serving prime minister in recent history, he faces the risk of becoming complacent. Enter Akie Abe, his wife of 29 years.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Nov 24, 2016
Crustacean crunch: Coconut crab’s claw strength equals lion’s bite
It may not be wise to get into a scrap with a coconut crab. Its claw is a mighty weapon.
JAPAN
Nov 19, 2016
Contamination: Documents reveal hundreds of unreported environmental accidents at three U.S. Marine Corps bases on Okinawa
Since 2002, at least 270 environmental accidents on U.S. Marine Corps bases on Okinawa have contaminated land and local waterways but, until now, few of these incidents have been made public. Internal reports highlight serious flaws in training and suggest the lessons of past accidents have not been...
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 19, 2016
Informed-Public Project seeks environmental justice on Okinawa
A recently founded organization on Okinawa is attempting to hold to account the powers-that-be for the damage that military contamination is causing the island’s environment.
JAPAN / Politics
Nov 17, 2016
Okinawa base relocation opponents see hope in business-minded Trump
Some hope Trump’s business experience means he will decide that relocating a U.S. base on the island is economically unfeasible and should be scrapped.
JAPAN
Oct 24, 2016
Media watchdog slams Tokyo after journalist alleges U.S. military spying
The government is under fire for failing to protect press freedom following a Japan Times report by a British journalist revealing that the U.S. military has spied on him over his activities in Okinawa.

Longform

The Terasaka Rice Terraces are seen with Mount Buko in the background.
What Yokoze can teach Japan about rural revival