Okinawa

Okinawa Prefecture Plans to Exhibit Prefectural Food Products for the First Time at the International Bazaar (60th Anniversary) on November 29 at SM Aura, BGC

Okinawa Prefecture plans to run its first food and products booth at the 60th International Bazaar on Nov. 29 at SMX Convention Center Aura, BGC, co-hosted by PUOA and the Okinawa Industry Promotion Public Corporation.

2026年9月22日

Cultural ExchangeEmbassy of JapanEventsOkinawa

Okinawa Governor Election: Victory for Pro-Relocation Candidate — Futenma-to-Henoko Plan Set to Accelerate

An opinion piece arguing that the pro-relocation candidate’s victory in the Okinawa gubernatorial election has removed the last major obstacle to relocating Futenma Air Station to Henoko.

2026年9月15日

Columns & EditorialsJapan NewsOkinawaOpinion

Okinawa Governor Election: Newcomer Genta Koja Wins in a Landslide

Independent newcomer Genta Koja defeated incumbent Denny Tamaki by roughly 147,000 votes in the September 13 Okinawa gubernatorial election, ending 12 years of "All Okinawa" governance.

2026年9月14日

Japan NewsOkinawa

In Rain-Soaked Manila, 35 Candidates for the 9th BatchC of Certified Care Worker Trainees Are Interviewed — Okinawa’s 8-Year Training Program

Amid continuing heavy rain caused by the southwest monsoon, known locally as "Habagat," an orientation and interview session for Filipino candidates…

2026年8月30日

Japan-Philippines RelationsOkinawa

Philippine Members of IMGKA Take Part in the 2026 IMGKA World Tournament in Naha, Okinawa

Members of the International Meibukan Gojyu Ryu Karatedo Association (IMGKA) from the Philippines participated in the 2026 IMGKA World Tournament…

2026年8月27日

Cultural ExchangeJapan-Philippines RelationsOkinawa

Timeline of the Henoko Protest Boat Capsizing: From the Accident to the Criminal Complaint

A chronology of the March 2026 capsizing off Henoko, Okinawa, that killed a high school student and a captain: the education ministry's finding, the governor's remarks, the bereaved family's July criminal complaint and what comes next.

2026年8月12日

Japan NewsOkinawa

2026 Okinawa Gubernatorial Election: Comparing the Leading Candidates’ Platforms and Debate Developments

As Okinawa's gubernatorial election nears its August 27 announcement date, incumbent Denny Tamaki faces newcomers Genta Kosha and Mikio Shimoji over the economy, base relocation, and the future of the prefecture.

2026年8月10日

Japan NewsOkinawa

Building the “Okinawa Brand” in the Philippines — The Story of PUOA’s Partnership with the Okinawa Industry Promotion Public Corporation

How the Philippine Uchinanchu Okinawa Association (PUOA) and the Okinawa Industry Promotion Public Corporation have partnered on food festivals, cultural events, and diplomatic outreach to build the Okinawa brand in the Philippines.

2026年8月10日

Cultural ExchangeJapanese CommunityOkinawaPhilippine NewsSociety

Sending Development Experts to the Ceasefire Monitoring Team — J-BIRD and “Unarmed Peacekeeping” (Part 2)

Why did Japan send JICA development experts, not soldiers, to the Mindanao International Monitoring Team? An explanation of J-BIRD, the peace dividend, support through schools, wells, and farm roads, and why Japan didn't withdraw even after the 2008 collapse of the peace talks.

2026年8月9日

Embassy of JapanIntergovernmental AidJapan-Philippines RelationsOkinawaPhilippine NewsPoliticsSeries

Why Did Japan Engage in the Bangsamoro Peace Process? — From the MNLF Peace Agreement to the Launch of J-BIRD (Part 1)

Why did the Japanese government and JICA become involved in the Bangsamoro peace process in the southern Philippines? A timeline covering the MNLF peace agreement, human security, Sadako Ogata, the Mindanao Support Package, and the launch of J-BIRD.

2026年8月8日

Embassy of JapanIntergovernmental AidJapan-Philippines RelationsOkinawaPhilippine NewsPoliticsSeries