Keishi Koja
@keishirkoja.bsky.social
Okinawa-based reporter and translator for Stars and Stripes.
Seabed reclamation set to restart at Marines’ new Okinawa airfield after seasonal delay
Seabed reclamation set to restart at Marines’ new Okinawa airfield after seasonal delay
After a five-month pause for typhoon season, work will soon recommence at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, to reclaim seabed from Oura Bay for a new Marine airfield.
www.stripes.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Seabed reclamation set to restart at Marines’ new Okinawa airfield after seasonal delay
US military pauses solo patrols on Okinawa after viral video of civilian’s arrest www.stripes.com/theaters/asi...
US military pauses solo patrols on Okinawa after viral video of civilian’s arrest
www.stripes.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:46 AM
US military pauses solo patrols on Okinawa after viral video of civilian’s arrest www.stripes.com/theaters/asi...
Reposted by Keishi Koja
The Marine Corps on Wednesday relieved the commander of the logistics unit responsible for supplying aviation units on Okinawa, less than a month after firing the command team of an MV-22B Osprey unit in Hawaii.
Marine air wing relieves logistics squadron commander on Okinawa
Lt. Col. Calischaran G. James was as commander of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36, the unit responsible for supplying aviation units on Okinawa.
www.stripes.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:38 AM
The Marine Corps on Wednesday relieved the commander of the logistics unit responsible for supplying aviation units on Okinawa, less than a month after firing the command team of an MV-22B Osprey unit in Hawaii.
Water flowing again on Okinawa following outage; US bases largely unaffected
Water flowing again on Okinawa following outage; US bases largely unaffected
A water outage in southern and central Okinawa that was resolved by Tuesday afternoon had minimal effects on U.S. military installations on the island
www.stripes.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Water flowing again on Okinawa following outage; US bases largely unaffected
Reposted by Keishi Koja
A plan to station surface-to-air missiles on an island within sight of Taiwan is “steadily progressing,” Japan’s defense minister said Sunday amid heightened tensions with China.
Japan’s defense minister restates surface-to-air missile plan on island near Taiwan
A plan to station surface-to-air missiles on an island within sight of Taiwan is “steadily progressing,” Japan’s defense minister said.
www.stripes.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:26 AM
A plan to station surface-to-air missiles on an island within sight of Taiwan is “steadily progressing,” Japan’s defense minister said Sunday amid heightened tensions with China.
Reposted by Keishi Koja
A broken pipe in northern Okinawa caused a widespread water outage Monday for 17 island municipalities and could lead to disruptions on U.S. military bases.
Broken pipe cuts off water to much of Okinawa; US base supply in question
Marine Corps Installations Pacific is still determining how a widespread water outage will affect its bases on Okinawa.
www.stripes.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:49 AM
A broken pipe in northern Okinawa caused a widespread water outage Monday for 17 island municipalities and could lead to disruptions on U.S. military bases.
Reposted by Keishi Koja
Three fighter squadrons arrived for rotational duty at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa last month as the 18th Wing inches closer to a permanent fleet of F-15EX Eagle IIs in the spring.
Trio of fighter squadrons began Okinawa rotations in October
www.stripes.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Three fighter squadrons arrived for rotational duty at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa last month as the 18th Wing inches closer to a permanent fleet of F-15EX Eagle IIs in the spring.
Okinawa police accuse US Navy sailor of inappropriately touching teenage girl www.stripes.com/theaters/asi...
Okinawa police accuse US Navy sailor of inappropriately touching teenage girl
Police have accused a U.S. Navy sailor on Okinawa of inappropriately touching a Japanese girl over the summer.
www.stripes.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Okinawa police accuse US Navy sailor of inappropriately touching teenage girl www.stripes.com/theaters/asi...
A U.S. Marine in a Japanese court Tuesday denied sexually assaulting a Japanese woman on a Marine Corps base but admitted injuring another woman during the March incident.
Read more at: www.stripes.com/branches/mar...
Source - Stars and Stripes
Read more at: www.stripes.com/branches/mar...
Source - Stars and Stripes
Marine in court denies sexually assaulting woman in gym restroom on Okinawa base
A U.S. Marine in a Japanese court denied sexually assaulting a Japanese woman on a Marine Corps base but admitted injuring another woman.
www.stripes.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:17 AM
A U.S. Marine in a Japanese court Tuesday denied sexually assaulting a Japanese woman on a Marine Corps base but admitted injuring another woman during the March incident.
Read more at: www.stripes.com/branches/mar...
Source - Stars and Stripes
Read more at: www.stripes.com/branches/mar...
Source - Stars and Stripes
Chinese coast guard enters Senkaku waters after Japan warns it may use force
Chinese coast guard enters Senkaku waters after Japan warns it may use force
Four Chinese vessels crossed into waters Japan claims as its territorial limit around the Senkaku Islands.
www.stripes.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Chinese coast guard enters Senkaku waters after Japan warns it may use force
Tokyo says no to Okinawa’s funding request for ‘forever chemical’ cleanup
Tokyo says no to Okinawa’s funding request for ‘forever chemical’ cleanup
Japan’s Ministry of Defense has rejected a request from Okinawa’s governor for new filters to remove PFAS from a water purification plant in Okinawa.
www.stripes.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Tokyo says no to Okinawa’s funding request for ‘forever chemical’ cleanup
Airfield repairs could soon resolve Okinawa parachute jump training dispute
Airfield repairs could soon resolve Okinawa parachute jump training dispute
Repairs to an airfield in Okinawa could help resolve a parachute jump training dispute.
www.stripes.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Airfield repairs could soon resolve Okinawa parachute jump training dispute
Reposted by Keishi Koja
Only a dozen or so U.S. service members in civilian attire were spotted among the teeming revelers still celebrating Halloween on the streets of Naha’s nightlife district early Saturday.
First military police patrol of Okinawa’s capital finds ‘real quiet’ streets
Only a dozen or so U.S. service members in civilian attire were spotted among the revelers celebrating Halloween in Naha’s nightlife district.
www.stripes.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Only a dozen or so U.S. service members in civilian attire were spotted among the teeming revelers still celebrating Halloween on the streets of Naha’s nightlife district early Saturday.
Reposted by Keishi Koja
The Air Force on Monday identified Staff Sgt. Gregory Peterson as the airman who died last week from injuries sustained in a motorcycle collision two weeks earlier on Okinawa.
Airman who died after motorcycle collision served with mobility squadron on Okinawa
The U.S. Air Force identified the airman that died last week from injuries sustained in a motorcycle collision two weeks earlier.
www.stripes.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:57 AM
The Air Force on Monday identified Staff Sgt. Gregory Peterson as the airman who died last week from injuries sustained in a motorcycle collision two weeks earlier on Okinawa.
Kadena airman dies weeks after motorcycle collision on Okinawa
www.stripes.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Kadena airman dies weeks after motorcycle collision on Okinawa
Okinawa town unable to meet US base water request amid PFAS contamination
Okinawa town unable to meet US base water request amid PFAS contamination
Chatan town cannot immediately satisfy a request for additional water from Camp Lester, according to a town official.
www.stripes.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Okinawa town unable to meet US base water request amid PFAS contamination
‘Just another day on the job’: Marines honored for aiding injured cyclist on Okinawa
‘Just another day on the job’: Marines honored for aiding injured cyclist on Okinawa
Five Marines in Okinawa were awarded commendations for assisting a Japanese man who had suffered a head injury after an accident.
www.stripes.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:13 AM
‘Just another day on the job’: Marines honored for aiding injured cyclist on Okinawa
Hegseth may visit Japan alongside Trump next week for talks with new defense chief
Hegseth may visit Japan alongside Trump next week for talks with new defense chief
Pete Hegseth may make a second trip to Japan as defense secretary to meet with the country’s new defense minister.
www.stripes.com
October 24, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Hegseth may visit Japan alongside Trump next week for talks with new defense chief
US military police to start solo patrols of Okinawa’s capital city next month
US military police to start solo patrols of Okinawa’s capital city next month
U.S. military police will expand solo patrols to Okinawa prefecture’s capital, Naha city, continuing an effort to stem crime by service members.
www.stripes.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:01 AM
US military police to start solo patrols of Okinawa’s capital city next month
Service member found safe after solo hike on off-limits volcano in northern Japan
Service member found safe after solo hike on off-limits volcano in northern Japan
A U.S. service member was rescued after going missing on Mount Iwate, a volcano that has been closed to hikers since October 2024 due to volcanic activity.
www.stripes.com
October 22, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Service member found safe after solo hike on off-limits volcano in northern Japan
Chinese coast guard ends record 335-day stay near Japan’s Senkaku Islands
Chinese coast guard ends record 335-day stay near Japan’s Senkaku Islands
Chinese coast guard vessels ended a record presence in waters near the disputed Senkaku Islands, according to the Japanese coast guard.
www.stripes.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Chinese coast guard ends record 335-day stay near Japan’s Senkaku Islands
Japan detonated 13 tons of WWII-era ordnance on Okinawa last fiscal year
Japan detonated 13 tons of WWII-era ordnance on Okinawa last fiscal year
Unexploded ordnance from the 1945 Battle of Okinawa continues to turn up across the island prefecture.
www.stripes.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Japan detonated 13 tons of WWII-era ordnance on Okinawa last fiscal year
Mayor rejects US military request to expand joint patrols into Okinawa’s capital
Mayor rejects US military request to expand joint patrols into Okinawa’s capital
Naha Mayor, Satoru Chinen, has rejected plans by the U.S. military to expand joint police patrols into the Okinawa municipality.
www.stripes.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Mayor rejects US military request to expand joint patrols into Okinawa’s capital
Marines to fire HIMARS for first time at training area near Mount Fuji
Marines to fire HIMARS for first time at training area near Mount Fuji
The Marine Corps plans to fire the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System for the first time at a training range near Mount Fuji, according to USFJ.
www.stripes.com
October 16, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Marines to fire HIMARS for first time at training area near Mount Fuji
Ninth blaze of year burns at Marine Corps rifle range on Okinawa
Ninth blaze of year burns at Marine Corps rifle range on Okinawa
A fire on Oct. 10 scorched about 400,000 square feet at a Marine Corps rifle range in northern Okinawa on Range 2 at Camp Hansen.
www.stripes.com
October 16, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Ninth blaze of year burns at Marine Corps rifle range on Okinawa