Gov. Ige, Steve Sombrero, and Gov. Onaga
Gov. Daivd Ige, Steve Sombrero, and Gov. Takeshi Onaga
At the 2016 Taikai, WUB Network President Steve Sombrero found himself between Hawaii Governor, David Ige, and Okinawa Governor, Takeshi Onaga. This shows World Uchinanchu Business hard at work building networks around the world.
Advanced tickets can be purchased at $15 by calling EM Hawaii at (808) 548-0396 or EMHawaii (deadline is October 8). Or thru Eventbrite.
Kakeru Miyagi praying for the soul of his former classmate, Rina Shimabukuro Source
We are grieving with Okinawa. Source
The recent brutal murder of Rina Shimabukuro in April 2016 sparked widespread outrage and sadness in Okinawa, Japan, and the US. In memory of Rina Shimabukuro people all over have gathered for prayer and to express solidarity for peace. Americans have been outraged as well by the loss of a beautiful life.
Americans apologize Source
Americans showing solidarity Source
This recent killing seems to be part of a larger pattern stemming from the heavy military presence on Okinawa island. The recent article by UPI noted:
Despite constituting 0.6 percent of Japanese territory, Okinawa has 74 percent of U.S. military facilities in Japan. U.S. forces first occupied the island in 1945 and it remained a U.S. base until 1972 when it was returned to Japan. [Emphases added]
WUB Hawaii together with the East-West Center is planning a symposium (Uchinanchu Talk Story VI) on the US military bases in Okinawa in July 2016. For more details please check the page “UTS VI“ which will post the latest information available.
Prof. Dennis Ogawa wearing the Order of the Rising Sun
Prof. Dennis M. Ogawa, long time WUB Hawaii member, was recently awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Emperor of Japan. The ceremony took place at the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu.
The medal was bestowed on Prof. Ogawa in recognition of his contribution to the development of Japanese studies in the US and his promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and the US.
For a more detailed article, please visit our new WUB website.
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 pm Sunday
Lecture: “Contemporary Life in Okinawa”
By: Dr. Robert Walker
Location: Korean Studies Center – University of Hawaii at Manoa Google Map
LINK — liuchiuan.com
Begin (ビギン) is a popular Japanese three-man pop group from Ishigaki Island (石垣島), Okinawa, Japan. Their sound contains many elements of traditional Okinawan folk music, and prominently features the sanshin, an Okinawan three-stringed banjo. Perhaps their most famous song is Nada Sousou. Begin has had at least one song appear on the NHK program Minna no Uta. Source: Jpopasia.com
Event is free and open to the public
Event: “Islands of Contention: The Struggle for Self-Determination in Okinawa”
Okinawa Toyota Commercial — ‘Gosamaru‘ driving. To view: click here.
The blog “A Man With Tea” recently posted “Okinawa Toyota Ads.” Apparently, Toyota Motor Corporation has come out with four TV commercials featuring Okinawan historical figures like: Shô Hashi, Amawari, Gosamaru, and Momoto Fumiagari.
What this means for Okinawan identity in the twenty first century is not yet clear. Is it empowering for Okinawan identity or is it a distortion? Is it exploitative or is it affirmative? What do you think?
