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Okinawa governor gives "kariyushi" shirt to Japan PM Ishiba

Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki meets the press after giving Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba a formal "kariyushi" Okinawan shirt at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 20, 2025. During the meeting, Ishiba apologized for controversial remarks made by Shoji Nishida, a hawkish lawmaker from Ishiba's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, in which he claimed that exhibits at a war memorial in Okinawa distorted the history of one of the fiercest World War II battles.

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Okinawa governor gives "kariyushi" shirt to Japan PM Ishiba

Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki meets the press after giving Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba a formal "kariyushi" Okinawan shirt at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 20, 2025. During the meeting, Ishiba apologized for controversial remarks made by Shoji Nishida, a hawkish lawmaker from Ishiba's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, in which he claimed that exhibits at a war memorial in Okinawa distorted the history of one of the fiercest World War II battles.

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Japan PM Ishiba meets Okinawa governor

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (R) speaks with Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 20, 2025, after the governor presented a formal "kariyushi" Okinawan shirt to the premier. During the meeting, Ishiba apologized for controversial remarks made by Shoji Nishida, a hawkish lawmaker from Ishiba's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, in which he claimed that exhibits at a war memorial in Okinawa distorted the history of one of the fiercest World War II battles.

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80th anniv. of U.S. forces landing on Okinawan island

A photo exhibition is held on Zamami Island in the southern Japan prefecture of Okinawa on March 26, 2025, the 80th anniversary of the landing of the U.S. forces on the Kerama Islands during the closing days of World War II.

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80th anniv. of U.S. forces landing on Okinawan island

A photo exhibition is held on Zamami Island in the southern Japan prefecture of Okinawa on March 26, 2025, the 80th anniversary of the landing of the U.S. forces on the Kerama Islands during the closing days of World War II.

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Japanese People Protest Govt Silence On US Base Sexual Assaults - Tokyo

People gather in front of the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest against the Japanese government for concealing the alleged sexual assault cases involving U.S. military personnel in Japan from the public in Tokyo, Japan, July 2, 2024. Over 350 protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the heart of Tokyo to express their outrage over the silence of the government on Tuesday evening, wielding placards and banners that read "Silenced Cries of Okinawan Girls," "Restore Dignity to Okinawan Women," and "No More Gov't Cover-Ups of U.S. Troop Crimes." According to local media reports, a 21-year-old U.S. Marine in the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa has been indicted on charges of nonconsensual sexual intercourse resulting in injury in May, following the indictment of a U.S. Air Force member for the alleged kidnap and sexual assault of a girl under 16 in December. The Japanese government, however, did not disclose the cases until local media exposed them at the end of Ju

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Japanese People Protest Govt Silence On US Base Sexual Assaults - Tokyo

People gather in front of the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest against the Japanese government for concealing the alleged sexual assault cases involving U.S. military personnel in Japan from the public in Tokyo, Japan, July 2, 2024. Over 350 protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the heart of Tokyo to express their outrage over the silence of the government on Tuesday evening, wielding placards and banners that read "Silenced Cries of Okinawan Girls," "Restore Dignity to Okinawan Women," and "No More Gov't Cover-Ups of U.S. Troop Crimes." According to local media reports, a 21-year-old U.S. Marine in the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa has been indicted on charges of nonconsensual sexual intercourse resulting in injury in May, following the indictment of a U.S. Air Force member for the alleged kidnap and sexual assault of a girl under 16 in December. The Japanese government, however, did not disclose the cases until local media exposed them at the end of Ju

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Japanese People Protest Govt Silence On US Base Sexual Assaults - Tokyo

People gather in front of the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest against the Japanese government for concealing the alleged sexual assault cases involving U.S. military personnel in Japan from the public in Tokyo, Japan, July 2, 2024. Over 350 protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the heart of Tokyo to express their outrage over the silence of the government on Tuesday evening, wielding placards and banners that read "Silenced Cries of Okinawan Girls," "Restore Dignity to Okinawan Women," and "No More Gov't Cover-Ups of U.S. Troop Crimes." According to local media reports, a 21-year-old U.S. Marine in the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa has been indicted on charges of nonconsensual sexual intercourse resulting in injury in May, following the indictment of a U.S. Air Force member for the alleged kidnap and sexual assault of a girl under 16 in December. The Japanese government, however, did not disclose the cases until local media exposed them at the end of Ju

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Japanese People Protest Govt Silence On US Base Sexual Assaults - Tokyo

People gather in front of the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest against the Japanese government for concealing the alleged sexual assault cases involving U.S. military personnel in Japan from the public in Tokyo, Japan, July 2, 2024. Over 350 protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the heart of Tokyo to express their outrage over the silence of the government on Tuesday evening, wielding placards and banners that read "Silenced Cries of Okinawan Girls," "Restore Dignity to Okinawan Women," and "No More Gov't Cover-Ups of U.S. Troop Crimes." According to local media reports, a 21-year-old U.S. Marine in the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa has been indicted on charges of nonconsensual sexual intercourse resulting in injury in May, following the indictment of a U.S. Air Force member for the alleged kidnap and sexual assault of a girl under 16 in December. The Japanese government, however, did not disclose the cases until local media exposed them at the end of Ju

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Japanese People Protest Govt Silence On US Base Sexual Assaults - Tokyo

People gather in front of the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest against the Japanese government for concealing the alleged sexual assault cases involving U.S. military personnel in Japan from the public in Tokyo, Japan, July 2, 2024. Over 350 protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the heart of Tokyo to express their outrage over the silence of the government on Tuesday evening, wielding placards and banners that read "Silenced Cries of Okinawan Girls," "Restore Dignity to Okinawan Women," and "No More Gov't Cover-Ups of U.S. Troop Crimes." According to local media reports, a 21-year-old U.S. Marine in the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa has been indicted on charges of nonconsensual sexual intercourse resulting in injury in May, following the indictment of a U.S. Air Force member for the alleged kidnap and sexual assault of a girl under 16 in December. The Japanese government, however, did not disclose the cases until local media exposed them at the end of Ju

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Japanese People Protest Govt Silence On US Base Sexual Assaults - Tokyo

People gather in front of the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest against the Japanese government for concealing the alleged sexual assault cases involving U.S. military personnel in Japan from the public in Tokyo, Japan, July 2, 2024. Over 350 protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the heart of Tokyo to express their outrage over the silence of the government on Tuesday evening, wielding placards and banners that read "Silenced Cries of Okinawan Girls," "Restore Dignity to Okinawan Women," and "No More Gov't Cover-Ups of U.S. Troop Crimes." According to local media reports, a 21-year-old U.S. Marine in the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa has been indicted on charges of nonconsensual sexual intercourse resulting in injury in May, following the indictment of a U.S. Air Force member for the alleged kidnap and sexual assault of a girl under 16 in December. The Japanese government, however, did not disclose the cases until local media exposed them at the end of Ju

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Japanese People Protest Govt Silence On US Base Sexual Assaults - Tokyo

People gather in front of the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest against the Japanese government for concealing the alleged sexual assault cases involving U.S. military personnel in Japan from the public in Tokyo, Japan, July 2, 2024. Over 350 protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the heart of Tokyo to express their outrage over the silence of the government on Tuesday evening, wielding placards and banners that read "Silenced Cries of Okinawan Girls," "Restore Dignity to Okinawan Women," and "No More Gov't Cover-Ups of U.S. Troop Crimes." According to local media reports, a 21-year-old U.S. Marine in the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa has been indicted on charges of nonconsensual sexual intercourse resulting in injury in May, following the indictment of a U.S. Air Force member for the alleged kidnap and sexual assault of a girl under 16 in December. The Japanese government, however, did not disclose the cases until local media exposed them at the end of Ju

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JAPAN-TOKYO-PROTEST-U.S. BASE SEXUAL ASSAULTS

(240703) -- TOKYO, July 3, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- People gather in front of the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest against the Japanese government for concealing the alleged sexual assault cases involving U.S. military personnel in Japan from the public in Tokyo, Japan, July 2, 2024. Over 350 protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the heart of Tokyo to express their outrage over the silence of the government on Tuesday evening, wielding placards and banners that read "Silenced Cries of Okinawan Girls," "Restore Dignity to Okinawan Women," and "No More Gov't Cover-Ups of U.S. Troop Crimes." According to local media reports, a 21-year-old U.S. Marine in the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa has been indicted on charges of nonconsensual sexual intercourse resulting in injury in May, following the indictment of a U.S. Air Force member for the alleged kidnap and sexual assault of a girl under 16 in December. The Japanese government, however, did not

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JAPAN-TOKYO-PROTEST-U.S. BASE SEXUAL ASSAULTS

(240703) -- TOKYO, July 3, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- People gather in front of the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest against the Japanese government for concealing the alleged sexual assault cases involving U.S. military personnel in Japan from the public in Tokyo, Japan, July 2, 2024. Over 350 protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the heart of Tokyo to express their outrage over the silence of the government on Tuesday evening, wielding placards and banners that read "Silenced Cries of Okinawan Girls," "Restore Dignity to Okinawan Women," and "No More Gov't Cover-Ups of U.S. Troop Crimes." According to local media reports, a 21-year-old U.S. Marine in the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa has been indicted on charges of nonconsensual sexual intercourse resulting in injury in May, following the indictment of a U.S. Air Force member for the alleged kidnap and sexual assault of a girl under 16 in December. The Japanese government, however, did not

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JAPAN-TOKYO-PROTEST-U.S. BASE SEXUAL ASSAULTS

(240703) -- TOKYO, July 3, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- People gather in front of the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest against the Japanese government for concealing the alleged sexual assault cases involving U.S. military personnel in Japan from the public in Tokyo, Japan, July 2, 2024. Over 350 protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the heart of Tokyo to express their outrage over the silence of the government on Tuesday evening, wielding placards and banners that read "Silenced Cries of Okinawan Girls," "Restore Dignity to Okinawan Women," and "No More Gov't Cover-Ups of U.S. Troop Crimes." According to local media reports, a 21-year-old U.S. Marine in the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa has been indicted on charges of nonconsensual sexual intercourse resulting in injury in May, following the indictment of a U.S. Air Force member for the alleged kidnap and sexual assault of a girl under 16 in December. The Japanese government, however, did not

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JAPAN-TOKYO-PROTEST-U.S. BASE SEXUAL ASSAULTS

(240703) -- TOKYO, July 3, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- People gather in front of the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest against the Japanese government for concealing the alleged sexual assault cases involving U.S. military personnel in Japan from the public in Tokyo, Japan, July 2, 2024. Over 350 protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the heart of Tokyo to express their outrage over the silence of the government on Tuesday evening, wielding placards and banners that read "Silenced Cries of Okinawan Girls," "Restore Dignity to Okinawan Women," and "No More Gov't Cover-Ups of U.S. Troop Crimes." According to local media reports, a 21-year-old U.S. Marine in the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa has been indicted on charges of nonconsensual sexual intercourse resulting in injury in May, following the indictment of a U.S. Air Force member for the alleged kidnap and sexual assault of a girl under 16 in December. The Japanese government, however, did not

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JAPAN-TOKYO-PROTEST-U.S. BASE SEXUAL ASSAULTS

(240703) -- TOKYO, July 3, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- People gather in front of the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest against the Japanese government for concealing the alleged sexual assault cases involving U.S. military personnel in Japan from the public in Tokyo, Japan, July 2, 2024. Over 350 protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the heart of Tokyo to express their outrage over the silence of the government on Tuesday evening, wielding placards and banners that read "Silenced Cries of Okinawan Girls," "Restore Dignity to Okinawan Women," and "No More Gov't Cover-Ups of U.S. Troop Crimes." According to local media reports, a 21-year-old U.S. Marine in the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa has been indicted on charges of nonconsensual sexual intercourse resulting in injury in May, following the indictment of a U.S. Air Force member for the alleged kidnap and sexual assault of a girl under 16 in December. The Japanese government, however, did not

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JAPAN-TOKYO-PROTEST-U.S. BASE SEXUAL ASSAULTS

(240703) -- TOKYO, July 3, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- People gather in front of the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest against the Japanese government for concealing the alleged sexual assault cases involving U.S. military personnel in Japan from the public in Tokyo, Japan, July 2, 2024. Over 350 protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the heart of Tokyo to express their outrage over the silence of the government on Tuesday evening, wielding placards and banners that read "Silenced Cries of Okinawan Girls," "Restore Dignity to Okinawan Women," and "No More Gov't Cover-Ups of U.S. Troop Crimes." According to local media reports, a 21-year-old U.S. Marine in the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa has been indicted on charges of nonconsensual sexual intercourse resulting in injury in May, following the indictment of a U.S. Air Force member for the alleged kidnap and sexual assault of a girl under 16 in December. The Japanese government, however, did not

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JAPAN-TOKYO-PROTEST-U.S. BASE SEXUAL ASSAULTS

(240703) -- TOKYO, July 3, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- People gather in front of the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest against the Japanese government for concealing the alleged sexual assault cases involving U.S. military personnel in Japan from the public in Tokyo, Japan, July 2, 2024. Over 350 protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the heart of Tokyo to express their outrage over the silence of the government on Tuesday evening, wielding placards and banners that read "Silenced Cries of Okinawan Girls," "Restore Dignity to Okinawan Women," and "No More Gov't Cover-Ups of U.S. Troop Crimes." According to local media reports, a 21-year-old U.S. Marine in the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa has been indicted on charges of nonconsensual sexual intercourse resulting in injury in May, following the indictment of a U.S. Air Force member for the alleged kidnap and sexual assault of a girl under 16 in December. The Japanese government, however, did not

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Japan PM Kishida at Okinawa fair

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (C) picks out a "kariyushi" shirt, the equivalent of a Hawaiian aloha shirt in Japan's southern island prefecture of Okinawa, at an Okinawan fair held at the headquarters of his Liberal Democratic Party in Tokyo on May 28, 2024.

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Japan PM Kishida at Okinawa fair

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (C) poses for a photo holding a "kariyushi" shirt, the equivalent of a Hawaiian aloha shirt in Japan's southern island prefecture of Okinawa, at an Okinawan fair held at the headquarters of his Liberal Democratic Party in Tokyo on May 28, 2024.

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Japan PM Kishida given Okinawan shirt

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (R) is presented a traditional Okinawan "kariyushi" short-sleeve shirt by Takekuni Ikeda, vice governor of Okinawa Prefecture, at the premier's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2024.

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Japan PM Kishida given Okinawan shirt

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (2nd from L), Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi (3rd from L) and Hanako Jimi, minister in charge of Okinawa and Northern Territories affairs, show off the traditional Okinawan "kariyushi" short-sleeve shirts that were given to them by Takekuni Ikeda (far L), vice governor of Okinawa Prefecture, at the premier's office in Tokyo on May 21, 2024.

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S. Korean literary award winner Shun Medoruma

Okinawan novelist Shun Medoruma speaks during a press conference in Seoul on Sept. 11, 2023, after receiving the Lee Hochul Literary Prize for Peace, one of South Korea's most notable literary honors.

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Okinawan folk duo performs in New York

NEW YORK, United States - With Yukito Ara (R) on sanshin (Okinawa shamisen) and Isamu Shimoji on guitar, Sakishima Meeting, a folk duo from Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, performs during a concert at the Japan Society in New York on Dec. 12, 2014.

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Okinawan folk duo performs in New York

NEW YORK, United States - Isamu Shimoji and Yukito Ara of Sakishima Meeting, a folk duo from Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, play the guitar and "Sanshin" (Okinawa shamisen) during a concert at the Japan Society in New York on Dec. 12, 2014.

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Imperial family members watch Okinawan song performance

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko and other imperial family members watch the "Asatoya Yunta" song of Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa performed at a music hall in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on July 13, 2014. (Pool Photo)

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Okinawa musicians perform at New York concert

NEW YORK, United States - Japanese musicians (front row from L to R) Isamu Shimoji, Yukito Ara and Shinobu Matsuda from Okinawa, southern Japan, perform an Okinawan folk song during a concert in New York on Feb. 22, 2014.

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Okinawa musicians perform at New York concert

NEW YORK, United States - Shinobu Matsuda (front) from Okinawa, southern Japan, performs an Okinawan folk song on a "sanshin" local guitar during a concert in New York on Feb. 22, 2014.

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Nago mayoral election

NAGO, Japan - Susumu Inamine (front, 2nd from R), the mayor of Nago in Okinawa Prefecture, celebrates with supporters performing a traditional Okinawan dance at his campaign office in Nago after securing a second term in the mayoral election on Jan. 19, 2014. In the election, in which the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station to Nago from Ginowan, also in Okinawa, was the main issue, Inamine opposed the relocation while his challenger, Bunshin Suematsu, backed the plan.

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Nago mayoral election

NAGO, Japan - Susumu Inamine (front, R), the mayor of Nago in Okinawa Prefecture, celebrates with his wife (next to Inamine) and supporters performing a traditional Okinawan dance at his campaign office in Nago after securing a second term in the mayoral election on Jan. 19, 2014. In the election, in which the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station to Nago from Ginowan, also in Okinawa, was the main issue, Inamine opposed the relocation while his challenger, Bunshin Suematsu, backed the plan.

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Okinawa restaurant in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, China - The Okinawa prefectural government opens a restaurant serving Okinawan cuisine in Shanghai on March 25, 2011.

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U.S. naval ship visits Okinawan civilian port

MIYAKOJIMA, Japan - Lt. Cmdr. Andria Slough, captain of the minesweeper Defender of the U.S. Navy, speaks at Hirara port on Miyako Island, Okinawa Prefecture, on Sept. 21, 2010, after arriving in the southern Japan region. Slough said the visit, made despite local opposition to the use of a civilian harbor by a U.S. warship, was aimed at deepening the two countries' friendship.

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Hatoyama dons Okinawa shirt for eco-campaign

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (C) and key Cabinet members wear ''kariyushi'' formal Okinawan shirts during a photo opportunity at the premier's office on June 1, 2010. Hatoyama and most members of his Cabinet wore the shirts to mark the start of the annual ''Cool Biz'' energy-saving campaign. The choice of attire stirred controversy as his policy on hosting U.S. military bases on the southern island has angered local communities.

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Hatoyama dons Okinawa shirt for eco-campaign

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama arrives at his office in Tokyo wearing a ''kariyushi'' formal Okinawan shirt on June 1, 2010. Hatoyama wore the shirt to mark the start of the annual ''Cool Biz'' energy-saving campaign. The choice of attire stirred controversy as his policy on hosting U.S. military bases on the southern island has angered local communities.

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Hatoyama dons Okinawa shirt for eco-campaign

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (C), wearing a ''kariyushi'' formal Okinawan shirt, arrives at a photo opportunity at his office June 1, 2010. Hatoyama and most members of his Cabinet wore the shirts to mark the start of the annual ''Cool Biz'' energy-saving campaign. The choice of attire stirred controversy as his policy on hosting U.S. military bases on the southern island has angered local communities.

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Japan appoints Tarui to ambassador in charge of Okinawa

TOKYO, Japan - The government appoints Sumio Tarui (file photo), 61, who served as ambassador to the Geneva-based U.N. Conference on Disarmament, as ambassador in charge of Okinawan affairs on June 9. Tarui served as ambassador at Japan's delegation to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva but was released from the post the same day.

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Aso promotes 'Cool Biz' energy-saving campaign with Kariyushi wear

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso (R), wearing Okinawan Kariyushi light wear, and other ministers in summer styles gather for a Cabinet meeting at the Diet building June 2 to promote the annual ''Cool Biz'' energy-saving campaign.

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Aso promotes 'Cool Biz' energy-saving campaign with Kariyushi wear

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso (C), wearing Okinawan Kariyushi wear, arrives at the Diet building June 2. He was wearing the light clothing to promote the annual ''Cool Biz'' energy-saving campaign.

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Aso promotes 'Cool Biz' energy-saving campaign with Kariyushi wear

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso (C) wears Okinawan Kariyushi light wear at a Cabinet meeting at the Diet building June 2. Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kunio Hatoyama (L) and Finance Minister Kaoru Yosano (R) also wear light clothing to promote the annual ''Cool Biz'' energy-saving campaign.

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Japan picks Okinawa envoy to be new ambassador to S. Korea

TOKYO, Japan - Japan has decided to appoint Toshinori Shigeie (file photo), ambassador in charge of Okinawan affairs, as the country's top envoy to South Korea, government sources said June 20. His appointment will be formally decided on by the Cabinet soon. He is expected to assume his post sometime in August, the sources said.

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Okinawa city uses bumper stickers to protest U.S. military base

GINOWAN, Japan - Ginowan Mayor Yoichi Iha pastes a sticker on his official car in a bumper sticker campaign he began on Sept. 7 to urge a resolution to the problems associated with having a U.S. military base in the Okinawan city. In August 2004, a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter from Futemma Air Station crashed into a university campus adjacent to the base in Ginowan.

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Okinawan island testing bio-ethanol for greener future

TOKYO, Japan - Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshiro Nikai supplies ethanol-mixed gasoline at a gas station on Miyako Island, Okinawa Prefecture, on June 2.

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Typhoon approaching Okinawa

GUSHIKAWA, Japan - Rough waves hit the coast in Gushikawa, Okinawa Prefecture, on June 19 as the powerful typhoon Dianmu, the season's sixth, approaching the Okinawan islands from the south.

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(2) Japan, Pacific leaders vow SARS vigil

NAGO, Japan - Fijian Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase (L) and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in Okinawan casual wear chat with each other during the final session of a two-day summit of Japanese and South Pacific leaders held in Nago, Okinawa Prefecture on May 17. The two prime minister co-chaired the meeting.

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Voting held for Nago mayoral election in Okinawa

NAGO, Japan - Voters take to the polls Feb. 3 to elect the mayor of the city of Nago in Okinawa Prefecture. The two main candidates are sharply divided over whether U.S. military heliport functions should be relocated to the northern Okinawan city.

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Pop group SPEED reunited for charity concert

AWAJI, Japan - The teenage Okinawan pop group SPEED, which had dissolved last March, was reunited for a day on Awaji Island on Oct. 6 to stage a charity concert for victims of the Sept. 11 terror attacks in the United States and the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake that devastated the western Japan city of Kobe and its vicinities. The members are Eriko Imai, 18, Takako Uehara, 18, Hitoe Arakaki, 20, and Hiroko Shimabukuro, 17.

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Diet panel chief wants Status of Forces pact to be revised

NAHA, Japan - Muneo Suzuki, acting chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, speaks at a news conference at the end of a visit to Okinawa on July 5. Suzuki said a Japan-U.S. pact on U.S. forces in Japan must be revised after a U.S. airman allegedly raped an Okinawan woman June 29.

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Okinawan gov'ts call for curfew on U.S. Marines

NAHA, Japan - Members of the U.S. Marine Corps attend a joint meeting with the Japanese central government and Okinawan municipalities in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, on Feb. 20 to discuss ways to prevent further crimes by U.S. servicemen. The Okinawa prefectural government and the town of Chatan called for a curfew on U.S. Marines in the wake of a series of arsons in Chatan allegedly committed by Marine Lance Cpl. Kurt Billie.

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Mori performs traditional Okinawan dance in Nago

NAGO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori (C) performs Okinawa's traditional ''Kachaashii'' dance July 23 with Nago Mayor Tateo Kishimoto (far L) and school pupils at a welcoming event hosted by the city of Nago in a park just after the Group of Eight summit ended around noon the same day.