Editorials Dec 29, 2019
The government needs to assess whether the Futenma replacement project — with the substantial delays, cost overruns and local opposition — is still a viable project.
National Dec 26, 2019
Work on U.S. base at Henoko in Okinawa to cost nearly triple initial estimate
Building the replacement facility is now expected to cost ¥930 billion, far exceeding its initial ¥350 billion estimate, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday.
National Aug 30, 2019
Another window from U.S. military helicopter falls off, this time into sea off Okinawa
A local bureau of the Defense Ministry reported to the Okinawa Prefectural Government on Thursday that a window of a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter detached from the aircraft and fell into the sea. The part from the CH-53E large transport helicopter stationed at the U.S. ...
National Aug 14, 2019
University president seeks closure of U.S. base 15 years after helicopter crash on campus
Staff and students called for the closure of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma on Tuesday, as they gathered to mark 15 years since a military helicopter from the base crashed on the campus at Okinawa International University. Both the Futenma base and the university ...
National Jun 5, 2019
Rubber protective tape falls from helicopter onto school grounds in Okinawa, say U.S. Marines
The U.S. Marines in Okinawa said Wednesday that a piece of rubber protective tape attached to a wing blade of a U.S. military helicopter fell onto the grounds of a junior high school in Okinawa the previous day. It was the latest incident involving a ...
National May 17, 2019
As Okinawa marks 47 years since reversion to Japan, protesters call for reduced U.S. base burden
Protesters marched in Okinawa on Friday calling for a reduction in the burden faced by the prefecture that hosts the bulk of U.S. military facilities in Japan. Okinawa this week marked the 47th anniversary of its reversion to Japan from U.S. control amid ongoing controversy ...
National / Politics | Regional Voices: Okinawa Jan 10, 2019
Mayor blasts Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki as Ginowan city abstains from vote on Henoko land reclamation
Amid long-standing political wrangling over construction of a new U.S. base in Okinawa, the mayor of the city of Ginowan in the prefecture has said the municipality will not participate in a prefectural referendum set to be held over reclamation of land in order ...
National / Politics Dec 14, 2018
Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya indicated Friday that the return of land occupied by a key U.S. military base in Okinawa will likely not be realized by fiscal 2022, despite the start the same day of full-fledged land reclamation work to build its replacement facility. "It ...
Music Sep 16, 2018
Namie Amuro fans flock to tribute events as Japanese diva says farewell to show business
On Sunday fans across the country flocked to events paying tribute to pop diva Namie Amuro, marking the day she will step out of the spotlight. In her home prefecture of Okinawa, thousands of fans gathered in Ginowan to attend events commemorating the end of ...
Entertainment News Sep 15, 2018
Pop star Namie Amuro bows out with final performance in Okinawa
Pop star Namie Amuro delivered her final stage performance Sunday as fans from Japan and elsewhere in Asia flocked to Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, to bid her farewell. Amuro — who has achieved milestones in Japan's pop music scene since the 1990s as a singer, dancer ...
National / Politics Sep 9, 2018
by Eric Johnston
Voters in 25 Okinawan cities, towns and villages went to the polls Sunday in key local municipal assembly elections ahead of the Sept. 30 gubernatorial election. In Nago, whether to oppose or agree to the construction of a replacement facility for the U.S. Marine Corps ...
National Dec 13, 2017
Metal window frame from U.S. military helicopter falls on elementary school grounds in Okinawa
A metal window frame fell off a U.S. military transport helicopter and onto the grounds of an elementary school in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, on Wednesday, triggering renewed anger and concerns in the municipality where a key U.S. air base is located. A student was slightly ...