Super Typhoon Rammasun

As of Saturday afternoon, EDT, the storm was centered near 17.5 north and 132.1 east, or approximately 600 miles south-southeast of Naha, on the island of Okinawa. Rammasun has strengthened rapidly over the past 24 hours and is now a super typhoon with sustained winds of 155 mph with gusts as high as 190 mph. The storm is moving to the north at 15 mph, and this motion is expected to continue over the next 24 hours. The storm currently looks very impressive on satellite imagery with a concentric tight eyewall and well-defined spiral banding over much of the storm.

Rammasun continues to avoid land as it moves almost due north across the open waters of the eastern Philippine Sea. The storm is currently moving along the western edge of a subtropical ridge located to the east of the the typhoon. However, the storm is expected to turn more to the northeast early next week and could be a threat to Chichi Jima and Iwo To; whether or not this verifies depends on the timing of the storm's turn to the northeast. A sharper northeast shift would take it very close to these islands; a less drastic turn or a continuous northerly path would take it close to mainland Japan.

The storm has reached its peak intensity as a super typhoon. When storms reach this intensity, often times eyewall replacement cycles will slow down strengthening and possibly cause some weakening. However, subtle fluctuations in strength are possible the next 24 hours with the chance of the storm reaching the 160-mph wind mark. The storm is expected to begin to weaken later Sunday and into Monday EDT as the storm moves farther north over an area of cooler weather and increasing wind shear.

5.2 earthquake jolts Okinawa

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.2 jolted Miyako Island, Okinawa Prefecture, and its vicinity early Monday, the Meteorological Agency said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the 2:32 a.m. quake, and no tsunami warning was issued. The quake measured 4 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 on several parts of the island, according to the agency.

Full story

Disney unveils glimpses of animation series in Japan

The Japanese version of Disney’s original Lilo and Stitch is being jointly produced by Japan based mid-sized studio Madhouse and Walt Disney.

The original Lilo and Stitch series told of the bonding between the orphan girl Lilo and a little blue alien named Stitch on the lush Hawaiian island of Kauai.

The local version has a Japanese girl skilled at karate and set on a fictional island in Japan's subtropical southern chain of Okinawa.

In the three-minute pilot version, the girl, tentatively named Hanako, and other characters dance to the tunes of traditional Okinawan music while eating a bowl of rice with chopsticks.

A Japanese adaptation of Lilo and Stitch will kick off in late 2008.

Ernie Pyle death photo surfaces

"This photo provided by Richard Strasser, perhaps never before published, shows famed World War II war correspondent Ernie Pyle shortly after he was killed by a Japanese machine gun bullet on the island of Ie Shima on April 18, 1945. Pyle, 44, had just arrived in the Pacific after four years of writing his popular column from European battlefronts. The Army photographer who crawled forward under fire to make this picture later said it was withheld by military officials. An AP survey of history museums and archives found only a few copies in existence, and no trace of the original negative."
Full Story
We built an airstrip on Ie Shima back in 89 or so. I was fortunate enough to see the monument there in tribute to Ernie Pyle. In this picture it almost looks like he just layed down to take a nap.

Cherry Blossom Festival

"Thousands of festival goers searched for the first signs of spring in the blossoms of cherry trees lining the streets of Nago City and Nago Central Park during the 46th Annual Nago Cherry Blossom Festival Jan. 26-27.

Some of the festival highlights included performances by local schools' brass bands and cultural performers such as Eisa dancers and taiko drummers. Parades, competitions, karaoke, carnival games and food vendors were also attractions for the visitors.

A popular activity at the festival was 'hanami,' or flower viewing. Festival goers toured the park, where they had a scenic view of approximately 20,000 pink Taiwanese cherry trees blooming."
Full story

Japanese diets changing to a more western flavor

Scientists have often praised the healthy eating of the Japanese, saying there are real benefits in a diet of rice and seafood.

But now Japanese children are rebelling against the traditional eating habits, reflecting the changing lifestyle in Japan.

“The people of Okinawa are turning away from eating rice every day as we used to when we were young,” seaweed vendor Toshimitus Wakuga-Wa told 3 News. “Instead there are Italian restaurants in Okinawa and they often eat pasta, cheese, pizza and a lot of bread.”

Full story

Toys for Tots Program expands; volunteers needed

"The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders," according to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation Web site.

Coordinators running Okinawa's program have a lot of events for this year's drive and need plenty of volunteers to help them. Volunteers can help with tasks such as sorting toys or promoting donations by making an appearance in public with their dress blues.
Full story

The birth of a Manta Ray in captivity

A Manta ray was born in the Kuroshio tank, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Japan. This is the first known manta birth in captivity. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium has been succeeding in keeping the Manta Rays (Manta birostris) for the first case in the world since November, 1988. On June 16, 2007 the birth was observed.

A baby Manta ray was born after a gestation period of 374 days, and moved to the sea pen for feeding.

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Typhoon Nari Strengthens on Path for Okinawa

Typhoon Nari headed across the Pacific Ocean with winds of 157 kilometers per hour (98 miles per hour) and is forecast to strengthen before hitting the Japanese islands of Okinawa later today or early tomorrow.

Nari, classified as ``extremely strong,'' was moving west- northwest at 20 kilometers an hour, with winds gusting to as high as 222 kilometers per hour. The weather agency issued warnings for strong winds, battering waves and a storm surge for the Okinawa island chain.

Nari's eye is expected to pass to the west of Naha early tomorrow, the agency said.

Full story

Moderate quake jolts Okinawa

A moderate earthquake jolted Okinawa Prefecture in the early hours of Friday, the Meteorological Agency said.

There were not reports of casualties or damage to properties, Okinawa Prefectural Police said, and no tsunami warning was issued following the quake.

The tremblor that struck at 2:51 a.m. registered 3 on the 7-point Japanese intensity scale on Yonaguni, Japan's westernmost island.

The focus of the earthquake, which is estimated at 6.5 on the open-ended Richter scale, was located near Taiwan, the agency said.