Okinawa governor to skip ceremony marking restoration of Japan's sovereignty

****This anniversary is a reminder that the goal of all nations should be to respect one another, and to encourage open, honest, and forward-thinking dialog when issues arise which cause disagreements. The Restoration of Japan's Sovereignty as a Nation was an important step in developing a long-term sense of peace and stability not only for Japan and the Japanese, but for the entire East Asian Region as well. Japan is truly the shining light of hope in East Asia.

There are an increasing number of young people who do not know that there existed a seven-year occupation period under which Japan lost its sovereignty,” Abe said.

And under your revisionist views even more and more will know less that there was an occupation of Japan, and 27 year occupation of Okinawa as well.

What a damn hypocrite! He wants people to remember THIS, but he wants to soften the history of WWII and make Japan out to be the victim? Those who forget history are prone to repeating it! Sadly too is that the people here a pretty much apathetic about it all and Abe seems to be doing no wrong to them. I hope they wake up! And soon!

No one should show up for this party! No one!

Spoil their party, Nakaima-san, and declare independence.

Abe is doing exactly the right things to alienate Okinawans.

Celebrating the return of "Japan" to Japanese administration - at a time when Okinawa would still be under US administration until 1972 and announcing broadly that the "base issue" has been solved when it hasn't. The US promises to hand back certain bases in 2026 OR AFTER, are not promises at all.

These two acts are the equivalent of Abe extending his middle finger to Okinawa.

How can Nakaima do anything else than conspicuously not attend this "ceremony?"

Ryukyu Shimpo has an excellent editorial on the topic:

http://english.ryukyushimpo.jp/2013/04/10/9865/

Nothing puts someone under a boot better than reminding them of who is in charge and your concerns will never matter

Okinawa should send no one to this farce. The Japanese government sold Okinawa to the Americans. For all practical purposes they still own it.

So, the guy who claims he is fighting for the 'freedom' of Okinawa is against a ceremony marking the freedom of Okinawa?

So, don't go. Just go away.

smithinjapan,

You mean you still don't get it?

Nakaima represents his people - Okinawans.

I don't know about "fighting for the freedom of Okinawa," but Okinawans don't want the US bases here and Nakaima communicates this to the Tokyo government.

He's doing his job.

This "ceremony" is to celebrate the return of Japan to Japanese administration AT A TIME WHEN Okinawa was still under US administration and would remain so until 1972. It does NOT mark the freedom of Okinawa, because, as I said, Okinawa was NOT FREE at that time.

"Nakaima said the decision to hold a ceremony has upset many residents of Okinawa..."

So how many is "many"? The fact is that Nakaima is pandering to a vocal, minority of Okinawans.

Farmboy: "...you should be able to see the point he's making."

All Nakaima does is flip-flop to cater to the fad of the moment to GET points. I wonder if he's against the permanent deployment of patriot missiles in Okinawa because they are an 'American presence', of if he's come to his senses and realized the necessity of having said presence there.

Smithinjapan,

I don't see Nakaima doing much flipping, flopping, or any combination of the two. He's been pretty well straight on the button.

As for his attitude to the patriot missiles, it is the presence these and of US bases that attract, rather than repel danger. If there were an NK missile, I doubt the patriot missiles would be able to do much about it. In any case, before one was fired, the decision would have to be ratified, meetings held to discuss it, reports written and so on. By which time, it would probably be too late. (sarcasm)

May I suggest that you read this Ryukyu Shimpo editorial?

It may clarify things for you:

http://english.ryukyushimpo.jp/2013/04/10/9865/

Okinawa is a feasible strategic place for US Bases, as long as it is economically feasible. If Okinawans really wanted the bases to be removed, they could do it by helping each other if all the base workers, contractors, suppliers, housing agencies, etc, would decide not to work or deal with anything related with the base. The US could not afford to increase troop numbers just to do the day to day businesses. Nor dependents could fill the gap if Okinawans quit their jobs. But, who is going to help them if they quit? That is the problem. It basically amounts to that is the bases are removed. So, why not do it ahead of schedule?

They can pursue independence from Japan. After all, would you be happy with a forced marriage? Okinawans were at the peak of their happiness while under China's protection, until a greedy country decided to invade it and incorporate it into its empire.

One thing Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima can do is to court more Chinese investments just like Japan try to confuse Taiwanese by extending token fishing rights to forestall Taiwanese ships patrolling around the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands.

Just skipping the ceremony marking restoration of Japan's sovereignty won't do much to make a lasting impression.

Avigator,

And supposing all the base workers went on strike.

Who do you suppose it would inconvenience?

The shoppers at the PX who would have to bag their own groceries?

I should think they could just about manage to do it themselves.

And in any case, the locals who work on base, are "collaborators," "US sycophants" or people desperate for money. In which case, they are most unlikely to strike. In any case, they are a tiny minority in Okinawa.

Tony Ew,

Just skipping the ceremony marking restoration of Japan's sovereignty won't do much to make a lasting impression.

True, but I think:

a) Given that he represents his people and this "ceremony" is an insult to his people, he cannot do anything else than absent himself.

b) That is not all he is doing to make Okinawa's feelings known.

paulinusa he is following the wishes of the majority of Okinawa people. You have no ideal of what it was like.

I don't see Nakaima doing much flipping, flopping, or any combination of the two. He's been pretty well straight on the button.

You evidently haven't been living here long enough to know that Nakaima has flip-flopped on the base issues a number of times. He is first an foremost a politician.

You have no ideal of what it was like.

Sad but true, neither do you. You ran away and only, as all previous posts of your have show, to be relating 3rd party experiences and few of your own. You left as soon as you got the chance.

Bertie: "As for his attitude to the patriot missiles, it is the presence these and of US bases that attract, rather than repel danger."

NK has clearly stated Tokyo would be it's #1 target -- ie. Japan. That's not because of the presence of US bases, my friend, but a clear reason why Japan needs the bases there. If the US bases were not in Japan or SK, Japan would already be the property of either NK or China. Nakaima is a fool who only caters to the pandering of a minority of Okinawans, and we both know it. Most Okinawans WANT the bases there, especially of late given the threats from neighbouring countries, and many profit from the bases being there. Like I've said before, if and when the bases move, the people will move with them, only to complain again.

Yuri: "You have no ideal of what it was like."

I think you mean 'idea', and in any case, neither do you, living in the US and all.

Bertie: "Nakaima represents his people - Okinawans."

No, he represents typical politicians who want to line their pockets and pander to the audience to do so, and nothing more.

Bertie: By the way... just a question, but what party does Nakaima belong to? Could it be the one that is trying to stick to the twice-promised deal to relocate? If he's so 'pro-Okinawa' as you suggest, why not leave the party that he is supposedly fighting against? Ahhhh.... that would reduce the number of votes he gets, wouldn't it? :)

And supposing all the base workers went on strike.Who do you suppose it would inconvenience? The shoppers at the PX who would have to bag their own groceries?I should think they could just about manage to do it themselves.

Please your ignorance of the facts is ludicrous

And in any case, the locals who work on base, are "collaborators," "US sycophants" or people desperate for money. In which case, they are most unlikely to strike. In any case, they are a tiny minority in Okinawa.

I hope and pray you never meet one of those "sycophants" up close and personal. I know for a fact many would take serious offense at what you have written here and take it as a threat.

But since you sit as a keyboard commando you think you have nothing to fear. Grow up!

Bertie: "And supposing all the base workers went on strike. Who do you suppose it would inconvenience? The shoppers at the PX who would have to bag their own groceries? I should think they could just about manage to do it themselves. And in any case, the locals who work on base, are "collaborators," "US sycophants" or people desperate for money. In which case, they are most unlikely to strike. In any case, they are a tiny minority in Okinawa."

Credibility out the window, as usual. The true minority in Okinawa are the whiners that one day chide the US presence and then demand it remain under threat from NK or China. You are one of those, and it's rather humorous to watch you and yours flip-flop on defense when it suits you. A true Nakaima follower.

smithinjapan,

You need to attend some of the events here, and then you might know about the feeling that Okinawans have toward the US bases.

Try the April 28th event.

It promises to be very interesting.

In any case, I have suggested this many times, I think it would be a good idea and a mark of actual democracy to have a referendum in Okinawa to decide exactly HOW MANY people want the US bases and how many want them out.

However, I think this is hardly likely to happen. Because the outcome of such a referendum would be something that Abe and crew do not want. And if the majority of Okinawans voted against the US bases, they would be in a very difficult situation indeed.

Bertie: "You need to attend some of the events here, and then you might know about the feeling that Okinawans have toward the US bases."

I have, and I've also 'attended' restaurants that depend on the bases to survive. I notice you can't answer any of my questions, which is not surprising. When the former American ambassador said that Okinawans are lazy I thought it very cruel and incorrect, but he was correct in that they flip-flop and avoid addressing things they have scolded but that they depend upon. You really are a lazy lot when it comes to stating a stance. My own friend in Okinawa admits as such.

"It promises to be very interesting."

Yeah, I can just imagine your definition of 'interesting'. Probably not much different from handing out pamphlets from a black truck.

"And if the majority of Okinawans voted against the US bases, they would be in a very difficult situation indeed."

Okinawa is part of Japan -- it doesn't matter what the minority right-wingers who have made their living off the bases want; the government decides. It helps a little bit when they don't know what to do when a Chinese sub goes by the islands. They cry about the US presence one moment, then cry about the possibility of it not being there the next. Is it possible the Okinawans in question are not just lazy but also cry-babies? In any case, the bases move, the cry-babies move with them, then cry again.

Avigator,And supposing all the base workers went on strike.Who do you suppose it would inconvenience? The shoppers at the PX who would have to bag their own groceries?I should think they could just about manage to do it themselves.And in any case, the locals who work on base, are "collaborators," "US sycophants" or people desperate for money. In which case, they are most unlikely to strike. In any case, they are a tiny minority in Okinawa.

Mr or Ms Moderator, if any post is "impolite" to other users THIS one is.

Calling Japanese workers on military bases sycophants is polite? Be for real!

If you don't delete this post your bias and moderating "skills" are seriously in doubt and you SHOULD be replaced!

Bertie: Which party does Nakaima belong to? Why can't you answer such a simple question?

Bertie: "And if the majority of Okinawans voted against the US bases, they would be in a very difficult situation indeed."

Now THERE'S a joke! The 'majority' of Okinawans -- by which you mean the few who constantly whine about the place they make their living from. The only way a majority vote would be achieved against American bases would be if only 5% of Okinawans bothered to vote. If all Okinawans voted people like you and Yuri who chose to live elsewhere since you hate Okinawa so much would be left to tell tall tales of way back when.

Bertie: What's funniest is that you support the Osaka born, power company employee, whose failed vision of cars of the future landed him an electric company job in Okinawa, somehow qualify him to represent the people of Okinawa. If you truly believe in this man, you truly believe in anything the government will throw at you, and therefore you are nothing but a farce if you claim people like Nakaima are all for Okinawa.

He is a joke.

Avigator,

And supposing all the base workers went on strike.

Who do you suppose it would inconvenience?

The shoppers at the PX who would have to bag their own groceries?

I should think they could just about manage to do it themselves.

And in any case, the locals who work on base, are "collaborators," "US sycophants" or people desperate for money. In which case, they are most unlikely to strike. In any case, they are a tiny minority in Okinawa.

These comments are asinine at best! You have to be the sycophant to believe otherwise. But since you kiss the ass of the moderators here no one will know otherwise.

Just a tip:

The Okinawa Times conducted an urgent inquiry about whether or not governors would attend the April 28 ceremony commemorating restoration of post-war Japan's sovereignty. The result: 19 of all inquired 46 governors will attend it themselves; 19 prefectures will send only proxies, more than half of them being chiefs of Prefectural Tokyo offices. Oita Prefecture Governor will not attend, just like Okinawa Governor. Four governors haven't decided yet.

"As someone from Okinawa, I want to remind [Tokyo] about the last big war," said Nishikawa, the hardware store owner. "In the name of national interest, in order to prevent a battle on the mainland, 200,000 Okinawans were sacrificed.

"With that in mind, why is the government continuing to hurt us still?"

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/13/17598118-in-okinawa-the-war-isnt-over-protests-aimed-at-new-us-base?lite

Okinawa's governor, Hirokazu Nakaima, has no qualms about stating his opinion on the matter.

"The people of Okinawa prefecture are greatly dissatisfied," he said during an October panel discussion in Washington.

"People have been requesting to relocate the bases for 15 or 16 years … but it's not happening."

"As someone born and raised here, it's hard to accept," Nishikawa said. "The fact that the Japanese government has pushed through this proposal, it's a mockery against the people of Okinawa."

Nonetheless, the fact that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is in favor of putting the new base in Henoko makes him and his government the target for much of the anger vented by Okinawans, some of whom say Abe is simply ignoring them.

Smith in Japan, I grew up during the worst of the American Occupation. The Americans controlled everything and I mean EVERYTHING! This was my country but in any dispute the American was right. The American military police were everywhere. If you wanted something done, you had to go before the American Military Governor. The pay the people of Okinawa received was very small. I remember not getting enough to eat. As for not living in Okinawa, I lived there for years! I went to school in Okinawa through high school. Living in America a few years does not negate being Okinawan. For your information over 50 percent of the Okinawa people voted to close the bases and this includes those who did not vote.

Now the Japanese want us to celebrate the freeing of Japan many years before reversion. While the Japanese had freedom the people of Okinawa had none. I remember the searches without due process. I remember sexual harassment from the Americans. I remember the rapes by the Americans. Honest Abe can stick his ceremony in the no sun place! I think Okinawa should not take part in any celebration for the Yamato people!

"As someone from Okinawa..."

Nakaima's NOT from Okinawa, he's from Osaka.

"For your information over 50 percent of the Okinawa people voted to close the bases and this includes those who did not vote."

How does it possibly include those who did not vote?

"Now the Japanese want us to celebrate the freeing of Japan many years before reversion."

Here we go again; one day you are part of Japan, the next you are not. What's your citizenship, Yuri? You're either American, which you constantly mock, or you are Japanese (Okinawan is not a nationality).

" I remember the rapes by the Americans."

Rapes happen all over the place, every day. It has NOTHING to do with the ceremony. You are talking about how harsh things were under the occupation of the nation you chose to occupy, but you are somehow against a ceremony marking the end of said occupation.

Smith why do you defend the Americans? As for my nationality am Japanese but I am a Okinawa person a Uchinanchu. Still think you are American as very few Okinawa people would support them as strongly as yourself. as for the percentage it is easy. Take the total vote and do percentages. Over 50 percent of the registered voters voted NO to American bases. As to how? A lot of people voted to close and not so many to keep open. We have been in danger since 1945. In 1969 tons of mustard gas leaked from a US military depot. Causing untold sickness and death among the Okinawa people. Large quantities of Agent Orange were stored on Okinawa. What do the Americans keep on Okinawa today? The legitimate government is prevented from checking. Perhaps the UN can come in to Okinawa and check American bases for weapons of mass destruction. Again this ceremony is about freedom of Japanese Yamatonchu.

smithinjapan,

Nakaima from Osaka? That's a most irresponsible posting by someone whose real identity is hidden behind a pseudonym. You can't say anything because you are invisible. Nakaima is a native Okinawan.

YuriOtani: "Smith why do you defend the Americans?"

And even more to add to your lack of credibility. I don't 'defend Americans', I defend the American military presence in Japan, because it is necessary. People like you who decry their presence one day, then demand their defense the next are hypocrites.

"As to how? A lot of people voted to close and not so many to keep open. We have been in danger since 1945."

Sorry, Yuri, but you said your unbacked statistics included 'those who didn't vote', so tell me how you factor those who didn't vote into your statistics. Quick backtracking.

"Again this ceremony is about freedom of Japanese Yamatonchu."

It's about the freedom of Okinawa, or would you prefer it were still under the harsh conditions you describe?

voiceofokinawa: Yes, he was born in Osaka. His family comes from Okinawa, but not him. You may not like that fact, but it doesn't change anything. You consider him 'Okinawan' because it is convenient. I bet if a child is born on an American base in Okinawa you would NEVER call him/her Okinawan.

voiceofokinawa: Nakaima is also of Chinese descent, by the way.

But hey, let the facts speak for you themselves:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirokazu_Nakaima

As for freedom, we are not free until we control our entire island. The ceremony is a sick joke. Please note the date used was 1952. During this time going through the American trash was a special privilege. Alright the above is my last word on this sick joke of an event. Honest Abe wants to impress the Japanese and suck up to the Americans. He is beyond disgusting even as a politician.

Yuri: "smithinjapan hate to tell you but most Okinawa people are of Chinese descent."

Doesn't matter to me one iota. People are people, but voiceofokinawa is bothered by the facts, so I mentioned it.

"Even if you count the 40 percent that did not vote..."

That's all you needed to say, Yuri. In other words, it was not a majority of Okinawans against the bases.

"As for freedom, we are not free until we control our entire island."

Ummm... 'we' is whom? The US you live in? The SDF of Japan you served in that represents all of Japan?

"Honest Abe wants to impress the Japanese and suck up to the Americans. He is beyond disgusting even as a politician."

Well, I can agree with you there, to an extent, but it's not different than Osaka-born Nakaima claiming he's an Okinawan native to pander to the minority of voters against the bases.

"Alright the above is my last word on this sick joke of an event."

Because you cannot justify your attitude towards it, I understand your usual disappearance from the thread. When you go 180 so many times, you end up back at zero. Nakaima is a scumbag who caters to the moment, and that's all. He is an Osaka-born, failed electrician, who got his current job not on qualification but on emotion. That's why he'll get your vote... or can you vote for him from the US which you always berate?

YuriOtani: "smithinjapan hate to tell you but most Okinawa people are of Chinese descent"

I really don't care. We are all descendent of something or somewhere, I was merely pointing out the facts to voiceofokinawa.

" Even if you count the 40 percent that did not vote it is a very clear signal. "

You said quite clearly that the people who did not vote were included in your stats. If 40% were that apathetic not to vote it quite clearly means the vote does not represent the majority of Okinawans, unless you think half of 60% who voted represents the whole.

Back to Nakaima, though, as I have said, he has proven time and again to be a joke who caters to the minority. THAT is how he stays in power, and that's all. He has no qualms against accepting US arms or PAC missile batteries, but when it's something he knows he can argue against without much harm he does so, and the fish take the bait.

Nakaima is a 19th generation descendant of the Cai clan, Fujian people brought over to the Ryukyu Kingdom at the end of the 14th century.

He was born on August 19, 1939 in Higashinari Ward of Osaka. In 1945 during World War II, his family escaped from the air raids in Osaka and evacuated to Meiji, Minamiamabe District, Oita Prefecture. In 1946 he returned to his parents' hometown of Naha, Okinawa. There he graduated from Kainan Elementary School, Uenoyama Junior High School, and Naha Senior High School. Nakaima excelled in math and science, earning grades that placed him at the top of his class.

His roots are Okinawan, and his lineage, in the way distant past was Chinese.

He represents Okinawa.

He may not be perfect, but he is doing a job.

He is communicating the intention of the people he represents.

Smith it was 90 percent of those who voted. Please read the CNN article provided. I voted for him and he is doing the best job possible.

Can one be a Texan and a U.S. citizen at the same time? Can one be a Scottish and a U.K. citizen at the same time? Can one be an Okinawan and a Japanese citizen at the same time? The answers to them all is, of course, Yes, he/she can. As smithinjapan says, one's native background is irrelevant here.

Nakaima is an Osaka-born Okinawan, a 15th-generation descendant of the Cai clan from Fujian, China, one of the 36 families who are said to have migrated to Okinawa in 1392 and, according to one theory, by the order of Emperor Hongwu, to teach advanced Chinese culture to the backward people of Okinawa.

Correction:

Nakaima is the 19th-generation descendant of the Cai clan, not 15th. BertieWoost is correct.

First of all calling yourself Okinawan makes you Japanese. If was a grave mistake decades ago for a majority of the people of the island of what Japan called Okinawa to have pushed for re-unification with Japan instead of pushing for independence. It is too late to complain about Japan now. The Ryukyu people have lost most of their culture and language. For all practical purposes, Okinawans are Japanese. The story may have been different if they had fought for their own sovereignty. To think that some thought that if reunited with Japan would put an end to American bases is absurd. So you now have to live with the American bases and Japanese rule. If American bases do close, don't think the bases will go away. They were simply become Japanese military base as some were before. If Americans leave Japan, Japan will have to change the JSDF into the Japanese Imperial forces. In a way you will get the bases back since you will be compelled to serve and maybe sooner.