People in Okinawa will remember the 73^rd anniversary June 23 in an unprecedented tense atmosphere – an ongoing construction work at Henoko for a new military US base and deployment of the Japanese Self Defense Forces in the archipelagoes. Meanwhile, discriminatory talks and expressions, including ‘dojin (=an uncultivated man)’, are full on the social networking service sites. Can we, those who live in the major islands, righteously meet face to face with people of Okinawa?

TO MEET PEOPLE OF OKINAWA WITH GENUINE SINCERITY

June 23 – it sounds to me regretful. Twenty years ago I visited Okinawa for the first time, but I had not even remembered that the day marks mourning for people in Okinawa.

An Average Japanese Citizen

On June 23, 1983 – a festive event was held in the main islands of Japan to celebrate opening of the Shinkansen rapid railway service which extends to the Tohoku region. I have learned later about the episode. Doesn’t the country commemorate August 6 (Hiroshima), August 9 (Nagasaki) and August 15 (the end of WWII) in a similar dimension? I reconsidered myself - I am one of average Japanese citizens who live on, forgetting about truths and memories of Okinawa.

Now I will tell you stories.

I have a friend who was a high school teacher. His first encounter with Okinawa was a harsh blow. His daughter wanted to study in a university in Okinawa, of which he was very glad. One day an instructor of the preparatory school asked him to come and talk. The father was told: ‘is it all right that your daughter will study in Okinawa? Even if she graduates from a university there, she will not be able to have a good job in Japan, frankly speaking.’

A female teacher at his high school scolded him; ‘you are not a good father as you will send a daughter alone to a dangerous place’.

People living in the main islands have a kind of idea on Okinawa. It reflects their stance toward the World War II and democratic values. How could I face directly and earnestly the view on Okinawa that average Japanese residents of the bigger islands have? What has changed and what has not changed?

Remain Underground Unexploded Bombs and Human Bones

In the war fought in Okinawa every one of four residents was killed – this fact is alive today as substantiation in the society of Okinawa.

When you arrive at Naha Airport, you will see a poster telling ‘Don’t bring in unexploded materials aboard’. In the construction sites, in the central and southern districts of the island, in particular, blind shells as big as a man are found as well as bones of human beings. An operation to neutralize shells is done twice a month on the average even today. Inhabitants in the vicinity leave home temporally and owe the partial cost. The impacts on people’s life are considerable. It is said it takes another 70-80 years to clear up all shells underground. Bones of unidentified people cannot return home.

When you walk around in the cities, you will find vacant lots left away, overgrown with weeds, here and there. It is because nobody knows to whom the lands belong as a property: official documents were burnt and all family members perished in the war. City authorities face difficulties when they commit in development plans and projects. Inside the US military zones, however, such a problem is absent. The Japanese state authorities have redrawn clear lines to certify the boundaries for a purpose to support the US military as a host nation.

Okinawa was Abandoned

Prof. Arasaki Moriteru, who died last March unexpectedly, comments on Okinawa from a perspective of the history of Japan-US relationship;

‘In the last years of the Asia-Pacific War, Okinawa was made a sacrifice in order to defend the emperor and the main islands. The sovereign right to administer the Okinawa Islands was renounced to host the US troops in order to ensure sovereignty on the main islands and stay alive the emperor system. The legacy still remains intact, which builds up the socio-economic structure of the islands.’

We must remember June 23 sincerely and solemnly so that people in the main islands meet people of Okinawa in a renewed, right manner.