Politics in Okinawa since the Reversion of Sovereignty

Abstract

In 1992 people of Okinawa held a splendid celebration in observance of twentieth anniversary of reversion to Japanese sovereignty from U.S. military control. The main event was ceremony marking reconstruction of Ryukyu Dynasty-era Shuri Castle, which had been destroyed in Battle of Okinawa during World War Two. Nearly 90% of Okinawans, responding to an opinion poll published at start of 1992, said return of islands to Japan was a good thing; only 4% were negative. In 1977, five years after reversion, nearly 50% gave a negative response. However, Okinawans are still deeply concerned about presence of U.S. military bases on islands-85% of respondents in 1992 poll want removal or reduction of bases, and nearly half (45%) agreed with statement that Okinawa had lost certain of its characteristics over past twenty years, including nature and the Okinawan dialect.' There is also resentment of Tokyo's tight regulation of trade and a view that decentralization is necessary for Okinawa's self-reliant development.