NEWSWORTHY
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 ...
Okinawa's Orion Breweries debuts first chūhai lineup with regional fruit twist
Orion Breweries Ltd. launched its first lineup of canned chūhai — a drink typically made of shōchū or vodka mixed with a nonalcholic beverage — on Tuesday, seeking to win over young drinkers who are increasingly drawn to the beverages and away from beer. Three ...
'Nothing has changed': Ex-Ryukyu official reflects on effort to reduce Okinawa's U.S. base burden
A former official of the now-defunct Ryukyu government is disappointed that U.S. bases remain concentrated in Okinawa Prefecture despite a proposal made before its 1972 reversion to Japanese control. The prefecture on Wednesday marked the 47th anniversary of its return to Japanese administration from U.S. ...
Okinawa-based U.S. Marines may start moving to Guam in October 2024
The current plan will relocate approximately 5,000 Marines, of whom about 1,700 will be permanently based on Guam and the remainder rotated every half year.
In rare overseas trip, Suga agrees Japan will work closely with U.S. over North Korean missiles
The pair discussed how to coordinate on North Korea’s “projectile” launches, U.N. sanctions and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s plan to engage leader Kim Jong Un on the abduction issue.
Younger Okinawans' view of U.S. bases isn't black and white
Widespread opposition to the base-relocation project off on the Henoko coast doesn't translate into a desire to eject the U.S. military presence in Okinawa as a whole.
Okinawa rolls out the red carpet for its annual film festival
The Okinawa International Movie Festival has never been just about movies — or even Okinawa. Held from April 18 to 22, the 11th edition was a showcase for the talents of sponsor Yoshimoto Kogyo — an Osaka-based agency that supplies Japanese TV with many ...
Understanding Japan's southwest islands buildup
Japan is upgrading its military presence in the East China Sea in response to China's active challenging of Japanese sovereignty.
Worker influx ignites resort island rent bubble on Miyakojima
An influx of construction workers to meet the demands of the tourism boom on the Okinawan resort island of Miyakojima is creating severe apartment shortages, sending rents higher. Take the rent for studio apartments, which combine the living room, bedroom and kitchen into a single ...
An Okinawa conference, 50 years later
Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki's effort to seize the initiative by calling for a new Okinawa conference should be embraced, or at least tried.
Okinawa police knew of problems between woman and U.S. serviceman before she was murdered
The U.S. military had informed local police in Okinawa in January of concerns about the relationship between a U.S. serviceman and a Japanese woman, and police had apparently been trying to confirm her safety, before both of them were found dead at the weekend. The ...
