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Aya Ichihashi

At Hoshizuna Beach on Iriomote Island visitors can find star-shaped sand.<br>Aya Ichihashi/Stars and Stripes
At Hoshizuna Beach on Iriomote Island visitors can find star-shaped sand.<br>Aya Ichihashi/Stars and Stripes

Iriomote Island’s land-based treasures include waterfalls, gardens and scrumptious snacks

Imagine kayaking serenely through a mangrove forest as tropical birds sing all around you. If you’re lucky, you might spot a crested serpent eagle perched on a branch. If you are into trekking, kayaking and outdoor adventures, Iriomote is your paradise.

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An MV-22B Osprey from the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing prepares to land on an Okinawan island during Blue Chromite drills, Oct. 31, 2016.<br>Kelsey Dornfeld/U.S. Marine Corp
An MV-22B Osprey from the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing prepares to land on an Okinawan island during Blue Chromite drills, Oct. 31, 2016.<br>Kelsey Dornfeld/U.S. Marine Corp

Japan Coast Guard seeks charges for Marine Osprey pilot involved in 2016 crash

Coast Guard officials requested that the unnamed Marine pilot be charged with negligence resulting in an aircraft crash under Japanese aviation law, which could bring three years in prison or up to $1,863 in fines.

Zamami Island's Ama Beach, which is frequented by green sea turtles who come to graze on seaweed, is next to a campsite popular with foreign tourists.<br>
Zamami Island's Ama Beach, which is frequented by green sea turtles who come to graze on seaweed, is next to a campsite popular with foreign tourists.<br>

Beach patrol complains about US litterbugs at popular island destination near Okinawa

The issue was first raised on Labor Day, Sept. 2, when the Zamami Island beach patrol posted photos of litter to Instagram. Village officials said the trash was left by both Japanese and U.S. military visitors to the island.

A screenshot from a YouTube video shows some who protested a Marine Corps boat entering Motobu Port on Okinawa, Japan, blocking the truck hauling the vessel on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019.<br>YouTube
A screenshot from a YouTube video shows some who protested a Marine Corps boat entering Motobu Port on Okinawa, Japan, blocking the truck hauling the vessel on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019.<br>YouTube

Protesters block Marine boat launch at port on Okinawa

The incident started at approximately 7 a.m. Tuesday when a Marine truck towing a 32-foot boat arrived at Motobu Port from Camp Schwab. The Marines were met by about 100 Okinawan demonstrators and turned away after a nine-hour protest.

Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Ginowan, Okinawa, is pictured April 19, 2019.<br>Carlos Vazquez/Stars and Stripes
Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Ginowan, Okinawa, is pictured April 19, 2019.<br>Carlos Vazquez/Stars and Stripes

Tokyo declines Okinawa officials’ request to provide new deadline for closing Futenma

Okinawan officials sought a new deadline because of safety risks associated with Futenma, which is in an urban area in central Okinawa.