History Ryukyu independence movement

1 history

1.1 u.s. military bases
1.2 protests
1.3 recent events

1.3.1 china s support


1.4 polls

history

the independence movement investigated u.s. office of strategic services s in 1944 report. considered organization emerge among okinawan s emigrants, in peru, because ryukyu land , population small make movement attainable. noted long relationship between china , ryukyu kingdom, saw china s territorial claims justified, , concluded exploitation of identity gap between japan , ryukyus policy united states. george h. kerr considered u.s. should not see ryukyu islands japanese territory. asserted islands colonized japan, , in echo roosevelt s 4 freedoms, since matthew c. perry s visit in 1853 u.s. treated ryukyu independent kingdom , such should re-examin perry s suggestion independent nation international ports international commerce.

there pressure after 1945, following war during united states military government of ryukyu islands (1945–1950), creation of autonomous or independent ryukyu republic. according david john obermiller, initiative independence ironically inspired mainland. in february 1946, japanese communist party in message welcomed separate administration , supported okinawa s right liberty , independence, while okinawan organization of leftist leaning intellectuals okinawajin renmei zenkoku taikai, residing in japan, unanimously supported japanese independence.

in 1947, 3 newly formed political parties okinawa democratic league-odl (formed genwa nakasone, conservative), okinawan people s party-opp (formed kamejiro senaga, leftist), , smaller okinawa socialist party-osp (formed ogimi chotoku) welcomed u.s. military opportunity free okinawa japan, considering independence japan republic under guardianship of u.s. or united nations trusteeship. common people perceived u.s. troops liberators. opp considered option autonomy , request compensation japan, , in 1948–1949 crisis, reversion not in political discourse. governor of island shikiya koshin, support nakasone, commissioned creation of ryukyuan flag, presented on january 25, 1950. notable ryukyuan advocated reversion between 1945–1950 mayor of shuri, nakayoshi ryoko, because of no public support reversion petition in 1945 permanently left okinawa.

during united states civil administration of ryukyu islands (1950–1972), in late 1950 election democratic league (then titled republican party) defeated okinawa social mass party (osmp), formed tokyo university graduates , schoolteachers okinawa against u.s. military administration , advocated return japan. media editorals, under senaga s control, in late 1950 , 1951 considered pragmatic view, criticized osmp (pro-reversion), whether emotions or economy more important, concluding political , economical future progress further under u.s. rather japan. in february 1951, @ okinawa prefectural assembly pro-u.s. conservative republican party spoke independence, okinawa socialist party u.s. trusteeship, while opp (previously pro-independence) , osmp reversion japan, , in march assembly made resolution reversion.

the ethnic pride part of public debate , option independence ceased, considered mistake critics of u.s. military administration, , majority in favor of reversion japan - home country because of prominence of collective identity of okinawans being japanese formed 19th century education system , repression - silenced okinawans self-determination. according moriteru arasaki (1976), self-determination , regretably replaced question of u.s. or japan protection i.e. okinawan ethnic identity sameness japanese instead of difference. in 1950s series of protests against u.s. land policy, while in late 1960s , 1970s (like koza riot) against u.s. military administration. in 1956, 1 third advocated independence, third being part of united states, , final third maintain ties japan.

despite desire of many inhabitants of islands form of independence, or anti-reversionism akira arakawa, massive popularity reversion supported japanese government decision negotiate okinawa reversion agreement of prefecture control. consider 1960s anti-reversionism different 1950s vision of independence because did not endorse political option nation-state patronage. arakawa position more intellectual rather political, criticized japanese nationalism (which against okinawan subjectivity) , fellow okinawans dellusion full , fair inclusion in japanese state , nation, perpetuate further subjugation. in november 1971, when leaked information reversion agreement ignore okinawans demands , japan collaborating united states maintain military status quo, launched violent general strike in okinawa, while in february 1972 hurled molotov cocktails building housed japanese government office.

since 1972, because of lack of anticipated improvements in relation us-japan alliance, committed voices turned once again towards aim of okinawa independence theory , on basis of cultural heritage , history, @ least poets , activists takara ben , shoukichi kina, , in theoretical level in journals. between 1980–1981 leading okinawan intellectuals held symposiums independence, drafted constitution , national flag ryukyus, collected essays published title okinawa jiritsu no chosen (the challenges facing okinawan independence). okinawan branch of nhk , newspaper ryūkyū shimpō sponsored forum in discussed reversion, assimilation japanese polity, cost , opportunities of ryukyuan independence.

u.s. military bases

though there pressures in , japan, in okinawa, removal of troops , military bases okinawa, there have far been partial , gradual movements in direction.

in april 1996, joint us-japanese governmental commission announced address okinawan s anger, , reduce u.s. military foot-print , return part of occupied land territory in center of okinawa (only around 5%), including large marine corps air station futenma in densely populated area. according agreement, both japanese , u.s. governments agreed 4,000 hectares of 7,800-hectare training area returned on condition 6 helipads relocated remaining area. far, july 2016, work on 2 helipads has been completed. in december 2016, u.s. military announced return of 17% of american-administered areas.

however, considered positive change, in september 1996 public became aware u.s. planned give futenma construction of new base (first since 1950s) in north offshore, oura bay, near henoko (relatively less populated). in december 1996, saco formally presented proposal. although fighter jet , helicopter noise, accidents, put away less populated area, relocation of marine corps air station futenma henoko i.e. oura bay make devastating impact coral reef area, waters , ecosystem rare , endangered species, including smallest , northernmost population of dugongs.

the villagers organized movement called inochi o mamorukai ( society protection of life ), , demanded special election , maintained tent city protest on beach, , in water kayaks. majoral race in 1997 saw emergence of both anti-faction, , pro-faction members construction based businesses, , 52% won candidate opposed base construction. however, japanese government sued new governor masahide Ōta, shifted power okinawan land leases prime minister, ignored 1997 nago city citizens referendum (which rejected new base), stopped communication local government, , suspended economic support until okinawans voted liberal democratic party s new governor keiichi inamine (1998–2006).

the construction plans moved slowly, protesters got more attention when u.s. helicopter crashed class-room building of okinawa international university. however, government twistedly explained reason construction of new base, forcibly, harm/arrest of local villagers , opposers. december 2004, several construction workers recklessly wounded several non-violent protestors. resulted arrival of okinawa fishermen oura bay.

prime minister yukio hatoyama (16 september 2009 – 2 june 2010) opposed base facility, tenure short, failed campaign promise close base main reason move. subsequent ministers acted clients united states, while in 2013 shinzō abe , barack obama affirmed commitment build new base, nevertheless local protests. relocation approved okinawa s governor in 2014, current governor of prefecture, takeshi onaga, opposes military bases presence. 2014 poll showed 80% of population want facility out of prefecture. in september 2015, governor onaga went base arguments united nations human rights body, in december 2015, work resumed supreme court of japan ruled against okinawa s opposition erupted new protests, 70-year-old man urasoe stating okinawa can t stay colony of japan , u.s. . in february 2017, governor onaga went washington represent local opposition administration of newly elected u.s. president donald trump.

protests

there have been held many protests, characteristics of transnational activism, lack of political struggle national independence, , being self-limiting, have limited political horizon, consider related independence , anti-reversionist movement, replacing previous 1970s reversion movement anti-base , self-determination struggle. nomura koya claims protests beginning confront okinawans japanese , american imperialism.

in september 1995, 85,000 people protested because of u.s. military rape incident. event considered third wave of okinawa struggle - movement against marginalization of okinawa, us-japan security alliance, , u.s. global military strategy. beside being anti-us, had markedly anti-japanese tone.

in 2007, 110,000 people protested due ministry of education s textbook revisions (see mext controversy) of japanese military forced mass suicide of civilians during battle of okinawa.

the journal ryūkyū shimpō , scholars tatsuhiro oshiro, nishizato kiko in essays considered u.s. bases in okinawa continuation of ryukyu shobun present day.

the japanese government designation of april 28, date when came effect treaty of san francisco according returned sovereignty japan, restoration of sovereignty day day opposed okinawans because islands severed japan , left under u.s. military control until 1972, considering day of humiliation .

in june 2016, after rape , murder of japanese woman, more 65,000 people gathered in protest of anti-u.s. military presence , crimes against residents.

recent events

the presence of u.s. military remains sensitive issue in local politics. feelings against government of japan, emperor (especially hirohito due involvement in sacrifice of okinawa , later military occupation), , u.s. military (usfj, saco) have caused open criticism, protests, , refusal sing national anthem. many years emperors avoided visiting okinawa, first ever in history done akihito in 1993, since assumed visits cause uproar rather respect, in july 1975 when akihito crown prince visited okinawa , demonstrators threw molotov cocktail @ him 4 communist revolutionary activists, although these tensions have eased in recent years.

the 1995 rape incident stirred surge of ethnic-nationalism. in 1996, akira arakawa wrote hankokka no kyoku (okinawa: antithesis evil japanese nation state) in argued resistance japan , okinawa s independence. between 1997–1998 significant rise of debates okinawan independence. intellectuals held heated discussions, symposiums, while 2 prominent politicians highly visible national forums. in february 1997, member of house of representatives asked government needed okinawan independence, being told impossible because constitution not allow it. oyama chojo, former long-term mayor of koza/okinawa city, wrote best-selling book okinawa dokuritsu sengen (a declaration of okinawan independence), , stated japan not fatherland of okinawa. okinawa jichiro (municipal workers union) prepared report measures self-government. considered autonomy , independence of okinawa reaction japanese structural corruption , demands decentralization.

in 2002, scholars of constitutional law, politics , public policy @ university of ryukyus , okinawa international university founded project study group on okinawa self-governance (okinawa jichi kenkyu kai or jichiken), published bookelt (okinawa self-governing region: think?) , held many seminars. posited 3 basic paths; 1) leverage of article 95 , exploration of possibilities of decentralization 2) seeking of formal autonomy right of diplomatic relations 3) independence.

literary , political journals sekai (japan), ke-shi kaji , uruma neshia (okinawa) began write on issue of autonomy, , published numerous books topic. in 2005 resumed ryūkyū independent party active in 1970s, , since 2008 revived kariyushi club.

in may 2013, established association of comprehensive studies independence of lew chewans (acsils), focused on demilitarization, decolonization, , aim of self-determined independence. plan collaborate regions such guam , taiwan seek independence. in september 2015, held related forum in new york university in new york city.

the topics of self-determination entered mainstream electoral politics. ldp member governor hirokazu nakaima (2006–2014), approved governments permit on construction of military base, defeated in november 2014 election takeshi onaga running on anti-futenma relocation platform, , okinawa has right self-determination. mikio shimoji campaigned on prefecture-wide henoko-referendum, on premise if result rejected held scotland-like independence referendum.

in january 2015, japan times reported ryukoku university professor yasukatsu matsushima , civil group yuimarle ryukyu no jichi ( autonomy of ryukyu ), calls ryukyu islands independence self-governing republic, quietly gathering momentum. although critcs consider japanese government never approve independence, according matsushima, japanese approval not needed because of u.n international covenant on civil , political rights self-determination. group envisions creating unarmed, neutral country, each island in arc amami yonaguni deciding whether join.

in february of same year, uruma-no-kai group promotes solidarity between ainu , okinawans, organized symposium @ okinawa international university on right of self-determination. in same month held all-day public forum entitled seeking course: discussions of okinawa s right self-determination , agreement right time assume east asian role as: demilitarized autonomous zone, place of exchange china , surrounding countries, , cosmopolitan center okinawa s economic self-sufficiency.

china s support

in july 2012, chinese newspaper global times noted beijing consider challenging japan s sovereignty on ryukyu islands. chinese government has offered no endorsement on such views. chinese consider enough support independence, professor zhou yongsheng warning ryukyu sovereignty issue not resolve senkaku islands dispute, , chinese involvement destroy china-japan relations. professor june teufel dreyer emphasized arguing tributary relationship @ point in history basis sovereignty claim ... [as] many countries had tributary relationships china diplomatically incendiary. yasukatsu matsushima, professor advocates independence, expressed fear of possibility ryukyu independence used tool, , perceived chinese support strange since deny own minorities.

in may 2013, newspaper people s daily published similar article 2 chinese scholars chinese academy of social sciences stated chinese people shall support ryukyu s independence , followed luo yuan s comment ryukyus belong china, never japan . qi jianguo assured scholars considerations not represent views of chinese government. sparked protest among japanese politicians, yoshihide suga said okinawa prefecture unquestionably japan s territory, historically , internationally . matsushima noted ryukyu kingdom although vassal did not obey china s orders, , people in okinawa afraid of claims , beijing showing intention invade okinawa . yoichi shimada concluded china seeking capture okinawan islands in future .

in december 2016, japan s public security intelligence agency warned on concern china through academic exchanges forming ties okinawan independence groups spark split within japan. report criticized independence group professors committing irresponsible claims against okinawa related conference @ beijing university in may 2016 without such connotations.

polls

in 2005, british-chinese lim john chuan-tiong (林泉忠), associate professor of university of ryukyus, conducted telephone poll of okinawans on 18. obtained useful replies 1029 people. asked whether considered themselved okinawan (沖縄人), japanese (日本人), or both, answers 40.6%, 21.3%, , 36.5% respectively. when asked whether okinawa should become independent if japanese government allowed (or did not allow) okinawa freely decide future, 24.9% replied okinawa should become independent permission, , 20.5% in case of no permission japanese government. believed okinawa should not declare independence 58.7% , 57.4% respectively.

in 2011 poll 4.7% of surveyed pro-independence, 15% wanted more devolution, while around 60% preferred political status quo. in 2015 poll ryūkyū shimpō 8% of surveyed pro-independence, 21% wanted more self-determination region, while other 2/3 favored status quo.

in 2016, ryūkyū shimpō conducted poll october november of okinawans on 20, useful replies 1047 individuals: 2.6% considered independence, 14% federal framework domestic authority equal of national government in terms of diplomacy , security, 17.9% framework has increased authority compile budgets , other domestic authorities, while less half supported status quo.

in 2017, okinawa times, asahi shimbun , ryukyusu asahi broadcasting corporation (qab) jointly conducted prefectural public opinion surveys (telephone) voters in prefecture, before bringing 45 years since returning mainland of okinawa.　82% of okinawa citizens chose m glad okinawa has returned japanese prefecture .　it 90% @ age of 18 29, 86% @ 30 years, 84% @ 40s , 50s, whereas in generation related return movement, 72% in 60s, 74% on age of 70 .