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The article reports that Japanese Ministry of Environment has submitted to UNESCO and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) its nomination of four areas in the Ryukyu archipelago for UNESCO World Natural Heritage status. It mentions improvement reflects the efforts of local residents and civil society members to draw the attention of IUCN to the issue to the NTA. It also mentions description of ecological system and biodiversity of nominated areas.

The article discusses the difficulties involved in the construction of a U.S. military base at Henoko-Oura Bay in Okinawa, Japan involving changes to the original land reclamation plan. Topics discussed include sand compaction pile method, its implications for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe government and International Union for Conservation of Nature, the impact of the construction of the military base on the environment of Henoko-Oura Bay, and the need for the environmental impact study.

See below for information about the prize. The 2019 Kyoko Selden Memorial Translation Prize in Japanese Literature, Thought, and Society The Department of Asian Studies at Cornell University is pleased to announce the 2019 prize honoring the life and work of our colleague, Kyoko Selden. The prize will pay homage to the finest achievements in Japanese literature, thought, and society through the medium of translation. Kyoko Selden's translations and writings ranged widely across such realms as Japanese women writers, Japanese art and aesthetics, the atomic bomb experience, Ainu and Okinawan life and culture, historical and contemporary literature, poetry and prose, and early education (the Suzuki method). Recognizing the breadth of Japanese writings, classical and contemporary, and with the aim of making such materials more widely available, we ask that prize submissions be of unpublished translations. Collaborative translations are welcomed. In order to encourage classroom use and wide dissemination of the winning entries, prize-winning translations will be made freely available on the web. The winning translations will be published online at The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus. Prize selections will take into account both the quality of the translation and the significance of the original work. In cases where a text already published in English is deemed worthy of retranslation, new translations of significant texts are accepted (please provide date and place of earlier publication). Applicants should submit the following hard copies to the Kyoko Selden Memorial Translation Prize, Department of Asian Studies, 350 Rockefeller Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853: The maximum length of a submission is 20,000 words. In case of translation of longer works, submit an excerpt of up to 20,000 words. Repeat submissions are welcomed. Please note that the closing date for the prize competition this year will be August 1, 2019. For the 2019 competition, one prize of $1,500 will be awarded in two different categories: 1) to an already published translator; 2) to an unpublished translator. The winners will be informed by November 1, 2019. For further information, please visit the Asian Studies website or send questions to seldenprize@cornell.edu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the election for mayor conducted by Nago City located in northern Okinawa, Japan on February 4, 2018. Topics discussed include maintaining opposition to the Henoko base construction project by the people in city, selection of Toguchi Taketoyo as mayor of the city and involvement of external forces including national government, ruling coalition Liberal-Democratic Party and Komeito party organizations in election.

This paper analyses the present (2018) state of the struggle between the government of Japan and the government and people of the prefecture of Okinawa, focussing on its most recent phase, since the Okinawan prefectural complaint was dismissed by the Supreme Court in December 2016. Governor Onaga then revoked his 2015 cancellation of the 2013 license to reclaim parts of Oura Bay as site for the base construction and works resumed in April 2017 after one year in suspension. Since then, Governor Onaga has repeatedly declared that he will rescind the license under which those works are being carried out, but has given no indication as to when. Work now continues, at an accelerating pace, and the Governor has recently issued permits allowing ports in Northern Okinawa to be used for transport of construction materials. This paper analyses the apparent contradictions in the Governor's stance and the way they are understood within the protest movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the building of a seawall at Henoko-Oura Bay situated in Nago City, Okinawa islands. Other topics addressed include information on the reclamation of land for the use of U.S. military base, removal of Futenma air station of U.S. Marine Corps situated in Ginowan, Japan, and comments from Professor Hiyane Teruo.

The article considers local, national and international issues relating to the construction of the Futenma Replacement Facility (FRF) in Okinawa, Japan, referencing a report from the U.S. Congressional Research Service dated August 14, 2014. Topics discussed include the U.S. and Japanese government's plan to construct a U.S. military air base, the opposition of local citizens and municipal governments to the FRF project, and the proposed relocation and the environmental impact of the FRF.

The author reflects on the construction of a U.S. military base in Henoko and Oura Bay in Japan. He warns that the opposing stance of the Japanese government and the people of Okinawa will escalate to a dangerous confrontation unless certain issues are clarified such as the position of the Japanese Ministry of Environment, and the legality of Okinawa Governor Nakaima Hirokazu's administrative decision. He believes that once such issues are clarified, the dynamics of the Okinawa saga may change.