Back in 2022, as Japan and the Okinawa prefectural government geared up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Okinawa’s return, a nonprofit of Okinawan aboriginal women spoke out: “While the lives, pride and dignity of the Ryukyu and Okinawa people are still neglected and military colonization continues, now is not the time for Okinawa to celebrate its ‘return.’” Their heartfelt call was largely ignored, and the official ceremonies went ahead. Yet for many locals, the burden of hosting US military bases and the lingering echoes of history remain very real. 🕊️
The story traces back to the Ryukyu Kingdom, which from the late 14th century thrived as an independent tributary state under China’s Ming and Qing dynasties. Emperors in Beijing boosted trade by sending ships, sailors and cultural exchanges, shaping Ryukyu’s political system, astronomy, calendar and Confucian traditions. 📜
All changed in 1879 with Japan’s Meiji Restoration. The kingdom was dissolved and Okinawa Prefecture was born. Decades later, during World War II, the Battle of Okinawa claimed about a quarter of the island’s population, marking one of the Pacific’s deadliest fights. 💔
After Japan’s defeat, the Potsdam Declaration restricted Japanese sovereignty, but the United States took Okinawa under a “trusteeship.” That arrangement lasted until 1971, when Tokyo and Washington quietly signed the Okinawa Reversion Agreement, returning administration to Japan.
Today in 2025, many Okinawans still wrestle with questions of identity, autonomy and the cost of strategic interests. Their story resonates across Asia, reminding us how history, culture and modern geopolitics collide—and how communities everywhere strive to honor their roots while looking toward the future. 🌏
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
