Okinawa governor race begins

Okinawa governor race begins

NANJO, Japan - Former upper house lawmaker Shokichi Kina, 66, who is running for governor of Okinawa, makes a speech in Nanjo, a city in Japan's southernmost prefecture on Oct. 30, 2014, the first day of official campaigning for a closely watched election on Nov. 16, in which the controversial transfer of a key U.S. military base will take center stage.

Candidates for Okinawa gubernatorial race hold debate

Candidates for Okinawa gubernatorial race hold debate

NAHA, Japan - Candidates for the Okinawa gubernatorial election pose after an open debate in Naha, Japan, on Oct. 17, 2014. From L: Former Naha Mayor Takeshi Onaga, Mikio Shimoji, former minister in charge of privatization of postal services, Shokichi Kina, a former House of Councillors member, and incumbent Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima.

DPJ going all-out to strengthen its presence

DPJ going all-out to strengthen its presence

TOKYO, Japan - Leaders of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan -- (from L to R) Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama, Shokichi Kina, a member of the House of Councillors, President Ichiro Ozawa, and Acting President Naoto Kan -- attend a meeting of secretaries general of the party's local chapters in the city of Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, on July 15.

(1)Diet begins extra session

(1)Diet begins extra session

TOKYO, Japan - Okinawa singer and peace activist Shokichi Kina, clad in traditional clothing, poses before the Diet building July 30 in Tokyo as parliament convened after the House of Councillors election July 11. Kina won an upper house seat on a Democratic Party of Japan ticket.

Okinawa musician calls for more peace efforts in Japan

Okinawa musician calls for more peace efforts in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - Okinawa singer Shokichi Kina, who recently held a peace concert in Baghdad, speaks of the tense situation in Iraq at a news conference in Tokyo on Feb. 20. Kina called for greater action in Japan to promote peace along with global antiwar efforts against a possible U.S.-led attack on the country.

Japanese singer sings for peace in Baghdad

Japanese singer sings for peace in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Japanese singer Shokichi Kina (R) holds a concert in Baghdad on Feb. 17 to oppose possible U.S.-led attacks on Iraq.

Candidates for Okinawa gubernatorial race hold debate

Candidates for Okinawa gubernatorial race hold debate

NAHA, Japan - Candidates for the Okinawa gubernatorial election pose after an open debate in Naha, Japan, on Oct. 17, 2014. From L: Former Naha Mayor Takeshi Onaga, Mikio Shimoji, former minister in charge of privatization of postal services, Shokichi Kina, a former House of Councillors member, and incumbent Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima. (Kyodo)

(1)Diet begins extra session

(1)Diet begins extra session

TOKYO, Japan - Okinawa singer and peace activist Shokichi Kina, clad in traditional clothing, poses before the Diet building July 30 in Tokyo as parliament convened after the House of Councillors election July 11. Kina won an upper house seat on a Democratic Party of Japan ticket. (Kyodo)

Okinawa musician calls for more peace efforts in Japan

Okinawa musician calls for more peace efforts in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - Okinawa singer Shokichi Kina, who recently held a peace concert in Baghdad, speaks of the tense situation in Iraq at a news conference in Tokyo on Feb. 20. Kina called for greater action in Japan to promote peace along with global antiwar efforts against a possible U.S.-led attack on the country. (Kyodo)

Japanese singer sings for peace in Baghdad

Japanese singer sings for peace in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Japanese singer Shokichi Kina (R) holds a concert in Baghdad on Feb. 17 to oppose possible U.S.-led attacks on Iraq. (Kyodo)