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Because of the US military COVID-19 cluster in Okinawa, I’ve seen some English (and some Chinese) language accounts bring up Okinawan independence. I went to look for any information on how Okinawa residents feel about this.1/
The latest opinion poll I could find was from 2017, which marked the 45th anniversary of the return of the islands by the United States to Japan after WWII. It was conducted by the Okinawa Times newspaper.
https://www.okinawatimes.co.jp/articles/-/97097 2/
https://www.okinawatimes.co.jp/articles/-/97097 2/
In answer to the question “Do you think it was good for Okinawa to have returned to Japan?” respondents saying yes were 82%, no were 5% (other/didn’t answer 13%) Younger people (under 30s) were more than 90% positive; older ppl were less so (74-75% for 60s and older 3/
The Okinawa Times has asked the same questions in polls every few years. In 1981 it was 62% positive; 1987 84%; 1992 88%; 1997 87%; 2092 87%; 2007 89%; 2012 83%. 4/
The big sticking point has been the US military bases. Even 50% of the people who responded “yes” to the poll thought the “mainland” (本土 hondo, which is how the rest of Japan is called) was being discriminatory/unfair towards Okinawa in regards to the bases. 5/
The bases are a legacy of WWII and the US occupation of the islands until 1972, and they are a part of security treaties between Japan and the US. 6/
The Japanese government and the US regard them as necessary to defend against China, who have been rather pointedly intruding into Okinawa waters lately.
As usual, I have no answers or conclusions. Just background.
7/7
As usual, I have no answers or conclusions. Just background.
7/7
