العربية
中国
Français
Deutsch
Ελληνική
हिन्दी
Italiano
日本語
Português
Русский
EspañolOKINAWA PREFECTURE
(Redirected from Okinawa)
is Japan's southernmost prefecture, and consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over 1,000 km long, which extends southwest from Kyūshū (the southwesternmost of Japan's main four islands) to Taiwan. Okinawa's capital, Naha, is located in the southern part of the largest and most populous island, Okinawa Island, which is approximately half-way between Kyūshū and Taiwan. The disputed Senkaku Islands (Chinese: Diaoyu Islands) are also administered as part of Okinawa Prefecture.
The oldest evidence of the human existences in the Ryukyu islands are discovered in Naha City and Yaese Town[1]. Some human bones in the Paleolithic era were unearthed, but there is no clear Paleolith remains. Japanese Jōmon influences are dominant in the Okinawa Islands, although clay vessels in the Sakishima Islands have a commonality with those in Taiwan.
The first mention of the word ''Ryukyu'' was written in the Book of Sui. This Ryukyu might refer to the Taiwan island, not Ryukyu islands. ''Okinawa'' was the Japanese word depicting the islands, first seen in the biography of Jianzhen, written in 779. Agricultural societies begun in the 8th century, have slowly developed to the 12th century. The islands locate in the center of the East China Sea and relatively close to Japan, China and South-East Asia. The Ryūkyū Kingdom became a prosperous trading nation, and many Gusukus, castle ruins constructed in this period. The Ryūkyū Kingdom had a tributary relationship with China in the 15th and 16th century.
In 1609 the Satsuma clan, which controlled the region that is now Kagoshima Prefecture invaded the Ryūkyū Kingdom. Following the invasion the Ryūkyū Kingdom surrendered to the Satsuma and was forced to tie a tributary relationship with Satsuma and the Tokugawa shogunate, in addition to their previous relationship with China. Ryukyuan sovereignty was maintained since entire absorption would create a problem with China. The Satsuma clan earned considerable profits from trades with China during a period in which foreign trades was heavily restricted by the shogunate.
Though Satsuma maintained strong influence over the islands, the Ryūkyū Kingdom maintained some degrees of domestic political freedom for two hundred years. Four years after the 1868 Meiji Restoration, the Japanese government officially annexed the kingdom and entitled it Okinawa han. The Qing Dynasty claimed that the islands had been subjected to China, but later withdrew the demand. The Okinawa han became a prefecture in 1879, while all other hans had became prefectures in 1872.
Following the Battle of Okinawa and the end of World War II in 1945, Okinawa was under the United States administration for 27 years. During the trusteeship rule the USAF established numerous military bases on the Ryukyu islands.
In 1972, the U.S. government returned the islands to Japanese administration. Under the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, the United States Forces Japan (USFJ) have maintained a large military presence there. 27000 personnel, including 15000 Marines, contingents from the Navy, Army and Air Force, and their 22,000 families are stationed in Okinawa.[2] 18% of the main island was occupied as the US military bases and 75% of all USFJ base are located in Okinawa prefecture.[3]
Many Okinawans oppose the large presence of the USFJ and demand the consolidation, reduction and removal of US military bases from Okinawa.[4] Repeated accidents and crimes committed by the U.S. servicemen have deteriorated the local citizens' feeling about the military base. The Japanese and the US government consider the mutual security treaty and the USFJ absolutely necessary and neglected the awkward situation in Okinawa for decades. The rape of a 12 year old girl by marines in 1995 triggered the large protest campaign in Okinawa and both of the governments agreed to the removal of the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and minor bases, but the procedure is halted at the present time.
The set of islands belonging to the prefecture is called Ryūkyū Shotō (琉球諸島). Okinawa's inhabited islands are typically divided into three geographical archipelagos. From northeast to southwest:
★ Okinawa Islands
★
★ Ie-jima
★
★ Kume
★
★ Okinawa Honto
★
★ Tokashiki
★ Miyako Islands
★
★ Miyako-jima
★ Yaeyama Islands
★
★ Iriomote
★
★ Ishigaki
★
★ Yonaguni
Okinawa Prefecture includes eleven cities.
★ Ginowan
★ Ishigaki
★ Itoman
★ Miyakojima
★ Nago
★ Naha (capital)
★ Nanjo
★ Okinawa
★ Tomigusuku
★ Urasoe
★ Uruma
These are the towns and villages in each district.
★ On April 1, 2002, the villages of ''Gushikawa'' and ''Nakazato'' from Shimajiri merged to form the new town of Kumejima.
★ On April 1, 2005, the cities of Gushikawa and Ishikawa and the towns of Katsuren and Yonashiro (both from Nakagami District) merged to form the new city of Uruma. Prior to the merger, both Gushikawa and Ishikawa were forced to merge into one city because both cities weren't making enough revenues for the prefecture
★ On October 1, 2005, the city of Hirara and the towns of Irabu, Gusukube, Shimoji and the village of Ueno (all from Miyako District) merged to form the new city of Miyakojima.
★ On January 1, 2006, the town of Kochinda and the village of Gushikami from Shimajiri District merged to form the new town of Yaese. (Merger Information Page)
★ On January 1, 2006, the town of Sashiki and the villages of Tamagusuku, Chinen and Ozato (all from Shimajiri District) merged to form the new city of Nanjo. (Merger Information Page)
Okinawa prefecture age pyramid as of 1 October 2003
(per 1000's of people)
Okinawa Prefecture age pyramid, divided by sex, as of 1 October 2003
(per 1000's of people)
★ Source: Japan Statistics Bureau (総務省 統計局)
The island is largely composed of coral rock, and rainwater filtering through that coral has given the island many caves, which played an important role in the Battle of Okinawa. Gyokusendo, an extensive limestone cave in the southern part of Okinawa's main island, is a popular tourist attraction.
Okinawa is said to have the most beautiful beaches in all of Japan and normally enjoys temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius for most of the year. Okinawa and the many islands that make up the prefecture boast some of the most abundant coral reefs found in the world. Rare blue corals are found off of Ishigaki and Miyako islands as are numerous species throughout the chain. Many coral reefs are found in this region of Japan and wildlife is abundant. Sea turtles return yearly to the southern islands of Okinawa to lay their eggs. The summer months carry warnings to swimmers regarding poisonous jellyfish and other dangerous sea creatures. Okinawa is a major producer of sugar cane, pineapple, papaya, and other tropical fruit, and the Southeast Botanical Gardens represent tropical plant species.
Okinawa has a very large proportion of population living to 100 years of age. This is attributed to their healthy diet rich in vegetables and fish. Okinawa also has the highest life expectancy rate in the world, with native men living on average to 90.1 years and native women living to an average of 93.2 years.
Having historically been a separate nation, Okinawan language and culture differ considerably from that of mainland Japan. There remain numerous Ryukyuan languages which are more-or-less incomprehensible to Japanese speakers. These languages are in decline as the Mainland Japanese is being used by the younger generation. Many linguists, at least those outside Japan, consider Ryukyuan languages as different languages from Japanese, while they are generally perceived as "dialects" by mainland Japanese and Okinawans themselves. Standard Japanese is almost always used in formal situations. In informal situations, ''de facto'' everyday language among Okinawans under age 60 is Okinawa-accented mainland Japanese called (''Uchinā Yamatoguchi'' "Okinawan Japanese"), which is often misunderstood as Okinawan language proper, (''Uchināguchi'' "Okinawan language"). ''Uchināguchi'' still is used in traditional cultural activities, such as folk music, or . There is a radio news program in the language as well. [1]
Okinawa also has its own religious beliefs, generally characterized by ancestor worship and the respecting of relationships between the living, the dead, and the gods and spirits of the natural world.
Okinawan culture bears traces of its various trading partners. One can find Chinese, Thai and Malaysian influences in the island's customs. Perhaps Okinawa's most famous cultural export is karate, probably a product of the close ties with and influence of China on Okinawan culture. Karate is thought to be a synthesis of Chinese kung fu with traditional Okinawan martial arts. A ban on weapons in Okinawa for two long periods after the invasion and forced annexation by Japan during the Meiji Restoration period also very likely contributed to its development.
Another traditional Okinawan product that owes its existence to Okinawa's trading history is awamori—an Okinawan distilled spirit made from ''indica'' rice imported from Thailand.
The people of Okinawa maintain a strong tradition of pottery, textiles, and glass making.
Other prominent examples of Okinawan culture include the sanshin—a three-stringed Okinawan instrument, closely related to the Chinese sanxian, and ancestor of the Japanese shamisen, somewhat similar to a banjo. Its body is often bound with snakeskin (from pythons, imported from elsewhere in Asia, rather than from Okinawa's poisonous habu, which are too small for this purpose). Okinawan culture also features the eisa dance, a traditional drumming dance. A traditional craft, the fabric named bingata, is made in workshops on the main island and elsewhere.
Main articles: Karate
Karate originated on Okinawa. There are several styles, among them Shotokan, Shorin-Ryu, Wado Ryu, Uechi Ryu, Goju Ryu, Isshin-Ryu, Shito-Ryu, Moto bu Ryu, Shorinji Ryu, and Shuri-ryu.
Okinawa has many remains of a unique type of castle or fortress called ''Gusuku''. These are believed to be the predecessors of Japan's castles.
Whereas most homes in Japan are made with wood and allow free-flow of air to combat humidity, typical modern homes in Okinawa are made from concrete with barred windows (protection from flying plant matter) to deal with regular typhoons. Roofs are also designed with strong winds in mind, with each tile cemented on and not merely layered as seen with many homes elsewhere in Japan.
Many roofs also display a statue resembling a lion or dragon, called a ''shisa'', which is said to protect the home from danger. Roofs are typically red in color and are inspired by Chinese design.
Because the islands are close to mainland China and Taiwan, the United States has large military bases in the island. The area of 32 US bases are 233km2, occupying 18% of the main island. 75% of the United States Forces Japan base located in the relatively small Okinawa prefecture.
Most of Okinawans oppose the presence of the U.S. military due to noise pollution from military drills, aircraft accidents, environmental destruction[5], and crimes committed by U.S. military personnel[6]. The Okinawan prefectural government and all of local municipalities demand the withdrawal of the US militaries for 50 years[7], but a fundamental solution was never performed by both of the Japanese and U.S. governments.
Consequent problems of military crimes (including extraterritoriality), a base-dependent local economy, and other issues continue to arise in Okinawa and have their roots in the early post-war period. The Yumiko Incident is notorious for the rape and murder of six-year-old Yumiko, in 1955. Isaac J. Hart, who was accused of the crime, was not convicted. Forty years later, on September 4, 1995, three U.S. servicemen abducted and raped a 12-year-old girl. At the time of the incident, Japanese police could not arrest the men known to be involved because the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement gave US servicemen immunity from local laws. Eventually by the political compromise, the soldiers were tried, and convicted in early 1996.
Anti-military base emotions erupted in some of the largest protests in recent history.[8] As a result of this incident US-Japan agreements which were criticized for being too protective of US servicemen involved in crimes underwent revision and a movement to alleviate civilian burden by reducing the size of US military bases got under way. In November of 1995, a group called "Okinawan Women Act Against Military Violence" was organized to raise awareness of crimes alleged to have been committed by U.S. military personnel on the island.
Japanese government strictly restrained the introduction of nuclear arms into the Japanese territory by the non-nuclear policy (Three Non-Nuclear Principles). Prior to the reversion of Okinawa to Japanese administration in 1972, it is reported that one thousand two hundred nuclear weapons were deployed in the US bases in Okinawa[9]. Most of the weapons were stored in ammunition bunkers of the Kadena Air Base, with poison gas munitions.
There is wide range speculations that not all the weapons were removed from Okinawa.[10]
Edwin O. Reischauer, former US ambassador to Japan, in a interview with the Mainichi Shimbun in 1981, said that US naval ships armed with nukes stopped at Japanese ports on a routine duty, and this was approved by the Japanese government.
In the ''Bulletin of Atomic Scientists'' in early 2000, [2] [3] Robert S. Norris, William M. Arkin, and William Burr wrote that the United States has placed nuclear arms on Okinawa. This is disputed by the American government.
The governments of the United States and Japan agreed on October 26, 2005 to move the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma base from its location in the densely populated city of Ginowan to the more northerly and remote Camp Schwab. Under the plan, thousands of Marines will relocate. The move is partly an attempt to relieve tensions between the people of Okinawa and the Marine Corps. Protests from environmental groups and residents over the construction of part of a runway at Camp Schwab, and from businessmen and politicians around Futenma and Henoko, have occurred [4].
The legality of the proposed heliport relocation has been questioned as being a violation of International Law, including the World Heritage Convention, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in an article titled "Boundary Intersections of UNESCO Heritage Conventions: Using Custom and Cultural Landscapes to Save Okinawa’s Dugong Habitat from U.S. Heliport Construction". The article even questions whether the current use of Camp Schwab for amphibious training violates these three conventions.
The public schools in Okinawa are overseen by the Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education. The agency directly operates several public high schools [5]. The US Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) operates 12 schools total in Okinawa. Six of these schools are located on Kadena Air Base.
Soccer
★ F.C. Ryūkyū (Naha)
In addition, various baseball teams hold training during the winter in the prefecture as it is the warmest prefecture of Japan with no snow and higher temperatures than other prefectures.
★ Softbank Hawks
★ Yokohama BayStars
★ Chunichi Dragons
★ Yakult Swallows
★ Aguni Airport
★ Hateruma Airport
★ Ieshima Airport
★ Ishigaki Airport
★ Kerama Airport
★ Kita Daito Airport
★ Kumejima Airport
★ Minami Daito Airport
★ Miyako Airport
★ Naha Airport
★ Shimojijima Airport
★ Tarama Airport
★ Yonaguni Airport
★ Okinawa Expressway
★ Naha Airport Expressway
★ Route 58
★ Route 329
★ Route 330
★ Route 331
★ Route 332
★ Route 390
★ Route 449
★ Route 505
★ Route 506
★ Route 507
★ Okinawa Monorail
The major ports of Okinawa include
★ Naha Port [6]
★ Port of Unten [7]
★ Port of Kinwan [8]
★ Nakagusukuwan Port [9]
★ Hirara Port [10]
★ Port of Ishigaki [11]
★ Kadena Air Base
★ Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler
★
★ Marine Corps Air Station Futenma
★
★ Camp Courtney
★
★ Camp Foster
★
★ Camp Hansen
★
★ Camp Kinser
★
★ Camp McTureous
★
★ Camp Schwab
★
★ Camp Gonsalves (Northern Training Area, Jungle Warfare Training Center)
★ Naha Military Port
★ Naval Facility White Beach
★ Camp Lester
★ Torii Station
★ Camp Shields
★ Ryukyu Islands
★ Ryukyuan people
★ Ryukyu (Okinawan) Samurai
★ History of Ryukyu Islands
★ Ryukyuan religion
★ Ryukyu independence movement
★ Ryukyu Independent Party
★ Okinawan language
★ Okinawa Island
★
1. 山下町第１洞穴出土の旧石器について, 南島考古22
2. 沖縄県の基地の現状, Okinawa Prefectural Government
3. .沖縄に所在する在日米軍施設・区域, Japan Ministry of Defense
4. 語り継ぎたい「沖縄戦」, Okinawa Times, May 13, 2007
5. Impact on the Lives of the Okinawan Pepole (Incidents, Accidents and Environmental Issues), Okinawa Prefectural Government
6. 沖縄・米兵による女性への性犯罪(Rapes and murders by the US military personnel 1945-2000), 基地・軍隊を許さない行動する女たちの会
7. Military base Affairs Division, Okinawa prefecture
8. U.S. servicemen convicted in Okinawa rape, CNN, March 7, 1996
9. 完全撤去の保証を与えよ, Okinawa Times, October 22,1999
10. 疑惑が晴れるのはいつか, Okinawa Times, May 16, 1999
★ Okinawa Prefecture
★ ★ class=wikiexternal target=_blank>current=Page_Header&action=Top_Page&mode=isel&lang=en&name=header_en mahae plus - Okinawa Travel Information
★ Okinawa Language - English Dictionary
★ Okinawa Living & Outdoors Information on moving to and living in Okinawa Japan
★ Okinawa Information and Living Guides
★ Japan Update, news and information about Okinawa in English (updated every so often)
★ Okinawa 1988-1991 Blog, reporting news about Okinawa.
★ Google Maps
★ Okinawa HDR Photography
★ Pictures & Slideshows of Okinawa
★ Wonder Okinawa
★ Ryukyu Cultural Archives
★ Okinawa Prefecture Official Home-page
★ The Okinawa Centenarian Study
★ Okinawa Web Radio(BRAZIL)
★ The Contemporary Okinawa Website - History, culture, news, book reviews, historical documents, links, opinions
★ Okinawa Geocaching - site for geocaching (treasure hunt with GPS) in Okinawa.
★ Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum
★ Okinawa Peace Network of Los Angeles - Useful information on the U.S. military base controversy.
is Japan's southernmost prefecture, and consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over 1,000 km long, which extends southwest from Kyūshū (the southwesternmost of Japan's main four islands) to Taiwan. Okinawa's capital, Naha, is located in the southern part of the largest and most populous island, Okinawa Island, which is approximately half-way between Kyūshū and Taiwan. The disputed Senkaku Islands (Chinese: Diaoyu Islands) are also administered as part of Okinawa Prefecture.
History
The oldest evidence of the human existences in the Ryukyu islands are discovered in Naha City and Yaese Town[1]. Some human bones in the Paleolithic era were unearthed, but there is no clear Paleolith remains. Japanese Jōmon influences are dominant in the Okinawa Islands, although clay vessels in the Sakishima Islands have a commonality with those in Taiwan.
The first mention of the word ''Ryukyu'' was written in the Book of Sui. This Ryukyu might refer to the Taiwan island, not Ryukyu islands. ''Okinawa'' was the Japanese word depicting the islands, first seen in the biography of Jianzhen, written in 779. Agricultural societies begun in the 8th century, have slowly developed to the 12th century. The islands locate in the center of the East China Sea and relatively close to Japan, China and South-East Asia. The Ryūkyū Kingdom became a prosperous trading nation, and many Gusukus, castle ruins constructed in this period. The Ryūkyū Kingdom had a tributary relationship with China in the 15th and 16th century.
In 1609 the Satsuma clan, which controlled the region that is now Kagoshima Prefecture invaded the Ryūkyū Kingdom. Following the invasion the Ryūkyū Kingdom surrendered to the Satsuma and was forced to tie a tributary relationship with Satsuma and the Tokugawa shogunate, in addition to their previous relationship with China. Ryukyuan sovereignty was maintained since entire absorption would create a problem with China. The Satsuma clan earned considerable profits from trades with China during a period in which foreign trades was heavily restricted by the shogunate.
Though Satsuma maintained strong influence over the islands, the Ryūkyū Kingdom maintained some degrees of domestic political freedom for two hundred years. Four years after the 1868 Meiji Restoration, the Japanese government officially annexed the kingdom and entitled it Okinawa han. The Qing Dynasty claimed that the islands had been subjected to China, but later withdrew the demand. The Okinawa han became a prefecture in 1879, while all other hans had became prefectures in 1872.
Following the Battle of Okinawa and the end of World War II in 1945, Okinawa was under the United States administration for 27 years. During the trusteeship rule the USAF established numerous military bases on the Ryukyu islands.
In 1972, the U.S. government returned the islands to Japanese administration. Under the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, the United States Forces Japan (USFJ) have maintained a large military presence there. 27000 personnel, including 15000 Marines, contingents from the Navy, Army and Air Force, and their 22,000 families are stationed in Okinawa.[2] 18% of the main island was occupied as the US military bases and 75% of all USFJ base are located in Okinawa prefecture.[3]
Many Okinawans oppose the large presence of the USFJ and demand the consolidation, reduction and removal of US military bases from Okinawa.[4] Repeated accidents and crimes committed by the U.S. servicemen have deteriorated the local citizens' feeling about the military base. The Japanese and the US government consider the mutual security treaty and the USFJ absolutely necessary and neglected the awkward situation in Okinawa for decades. The rape of a 12 year old girl by marines in 1995 triggered the large protest campaign in Okinawa and both of the governments agreed to the removal of the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and minor bases, but the procedure is halted at the present time.
Geography
Major islands
The islands of Okinawa Prefecture.
The set of islands belonging to the prefecture is called Ryūkyū Shotō (琉球諸島). Okinawa's inhabited islands are typically divided into three geographical archipelagos. From northeast to southwest:
★ Okinawa Islands
★
★ Ie-jima
★
★ Kume
★
★ Okinawa Honto
★
★ Tokashiki
★ Miyako Islands
★
★ Miyako-jima
★ Yaeyama Islands
★
★ Iriomote
★
★ Ishigaki
★
★ Yonaguni
Cities
Map of Okinawa Prefecture.
Okinawa Prefecture includes eleven cities.
★ Ginowan
★ Ishigaki
★ Itoman
★ Miyakojima
★ Nago
★ Naha (capital)
★ Nanjo
★ Okinawa
★ Tomigusuku
★ Urasoe
★ Uruma
Towns and villages
These are the towns and villages in each district.
★ Kunigami ★ ★ Ginoza ★ ★ Higashi ★ ★ Ie ★ ★ Kin ★ ★ Kunigami ★ ★ Motobu ★ ★ Nakijin ★ ★ Onna ★ ★ Ōgimi ★ Miyako ★ ★ Tarama ★ Nakagami ★ ★ Chatan ★ ★ Kadena ★ ★ Kitanakagusuku ★ ★ Nakagusuku ★ ★ Nishihara ★ ★ Yomitan | ★ Shimajiri ★ ★ Aguni ★ ★ Haebaru ★ ★ Iheya ★ ★ Izena ★ ★ Kitadaitou ★ ★ Kumejima ★ ★ Minamidaito ★ ★ Tokashiki ★ ★ Tonaki ★ ★ Yaese ★ ★ Yonabaru ★ ★ Zamami ★ Yaeyama ★ ★ Taketomi ★ ★ Yonaguni |
Mergers
★ On April 1, 2002, the villages of ''Gushikawa'' and ''Nakazato'' from Shimajiri merged to form the new town of Kumejima.
★ On April 1, 2005, the cities of Gushikawa and Ishikawa and the towns of Katsuren and Yonashiro (both from Nakagami District) merged to form the new city of Uruma. Prior to the merger, both Gushikawa and Ishikawa were forced to merge into one city because both cities weren't making enough revenues for the prefecture
★ On October 1, 2005, the city of Hirara and the towns of Irabu, Gusukube, Shimoji and the village of Ueno (all from Miyako District) merged to form the new city of Miyakojima.
★ On January 1, 2006, the town of Kochinda and the village of Gushikami from Shimajiri District merged to form the new town of Yaese. (Merger Information Page)
★ On January 1, 2006, the town of Sashiki and the villages of Tamagusuku, Chinen and Ozato (all from Shimajiri District) merged to form the new city of Nanjo. (Merger Information Page)
Demography
Okinawa prefecture age pyramid as of 1 October 2003
(per 1000's of people)
| Age | People |
|---|---|
| 0-4 |  g50.png  g30.png  g05.png  g03.png  g01.png |
| 5-9 | g50.png g30.png  g10.png |
| 10-14 | g50.png g30.png g10.png g01.png g01.png |
| 15-19 | g50.png g30.png g10.png g05.png g03.png g01.png |
| 20-24 | g50.png g30.png g10.png g05.png g01.png |
| 25-29 |  g100.png g01.png g01.png |
| 30-34 | g100.png g03.png g01.png |
| 35-39 | g50.png g30.png g10.png g01.png g01.png |
| 40-44 | g50.png g30.png g10.png g05.png g01.png |
| 45-49 | g100.png g01.png |
| 50-54 | g100.png g05.png g01.png |
| 55-59 | g50.png g10.png g05.png g01.png g01.png |
| 60-64 | g50.png g10.png g05.png g03.png |
| 65-69 | g50.png g10.png g05.png g03.png g01.png |
| 70-74 | g50.png g05.png g01.png |
| 75-79 | g30.png g05.png g03.png g01.png |
| 80 + | g50.png g05.png g03.png |
Okinawa Prefecture age pyramid, divided by sex, as of 1 October 2003
(per 1000's of people)
| Men | Age | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 43 g30.png g10.png g05.png | 0-4 |  r30.png  r10.png  r03.png |
| 44 g30.png g10.png g05.png g01.png | 5-9 | r30.png r10.png r03.png |
| 45 g30.png g10.png g05.png g01.png g01.png | 10-14 | r30.png r10.png r03.png  r01.png |
| 48 g50.png | 15-19 | r30.png r10.png  r05.png r03.png |
| 46 g30.png g10.png g05.png g03.png | 20-24 | r30.png r10.png r05.png r01.png r01.png |
| 49 g50.png g01.png | 25-29 |  r50.png |
| 49 g50.png g01.png | 30-34 | r50.png r03.png |
| 43 g30.png g10.png g05.png | 35-39 | r30.png r10.png r05.png r01.png |
| 46 g30.png g10.png g05.png g03.png | 40-44 | r30.png r10.png r05.png r01.png r01.png |
| 49 g50.png g01.png | 45-49 | r30.png r10.png r05.png r03.png r01.png |
| 52 g50.png g05.png | 50-54 | r50.png |
| 32 g30.png g03.png | 55-59 | r30.png r03.png |
| 32 g30.png g03.png | 60-64 | r30.png r03.png r01.png |
| 32 g30.png g03.png | 65-69 | r30.png r05.png r01.png |
| 24 g10.png g10.png g05.png | 70-74 | r30.png |
| 14 g10.png g03.png g01.png | 75-79 | r10.png r10.png r03.png r01.png |
| 17 g10.png g05.png g03.png | 80 + | r30.png r10.png |
★ Source: Japan Statistics Bureau (総務省 統計局)
Climate and nature
Gusuku ruins.
The island is largely composed of coral rock, and rainwater filtering through that coral has given the island many caves, which played an important role in the Battle of Okinawa. Gyokusendo, an extensive limestone cave in the southern part of Okinawa's main island, is a popular tourist attraction.
Okinawa is said to have the most beautiful beaches in all of Japan and normally enjoys temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius for most of the year. Okinawa and the many islands that make up the prefecture boast some of the most abundant coral reefs found in the world. Rare blue corals are found off of Ishigaki and Miyako islands as are numerous species throughout the chain. Many coral reefs are found in this region of Japan and wildlife is abundant. Sea turtles return yearly to the southern islands of Okinawa to lay their eggs. The summer months carry warnings to swimmers regarding poisonous jellyfish and other dangerous sea creatures. Okinawa is a major producer of sugar cane, pineapple, papaya, and other tropical fruit, and the Southeast Botanical Gardens represent tropical plant species.
Okinawa has a very large proportion of population living to 100 years of age. This is attributed to their healthy diet rich in vegetables and fish. Okinawa also has the highest life expectancy rate in the world, with native men living on average to 90.1 years and native women living to an average of 93.2 years.
Language and culture
Shisa on a traditional tile roof.
Awamori pots.
Ishiganto, a stone that wards off evil spirits (Yomitan, Okinawa).
Okinawa also has its own religious beliefs, generally characterized by ancestor worship and the respecting of relationships between the living, the dead, and the gods and spirits of the natural world.
Okinawan culture bears traces of its various trading partners. One can find Chinese, Thai and Malaysian influences in the island's customs. Perhaps Okinawa's most famous cultural export is karate, probably a product of the close ties with and influence of China on Okinawan culture. Karate is thought to be a synthesis of Chinese kung fu with traditional Okinawan martial arts. A ban on weapons in Okinawa for two long periods after the invasion and forced annexation by Japan during the Meiji Restoration period also very likely contributed to its development.
Another traditional Okinawan product that owes its existence to Okinawa's trading history is awamori—an Okinawan distilled spirit made from ''indica'' rice imported from Thailand.
The people of Okinawa maintain a strong tradition of pottery, textiles, and glass making.
Other prominent examples of Okinawan culture include the sanshin—a three-stringed Okinawan instrument, closely related to the Chinese sanxian, and ancestor of the Japanese shamisen, somewhat similar to a banjo. Its body is often bound with snakeskin (from pythons, imported from elsewhere in Asia, rather than from Okinawa's poisonous habu, which are too small for this purpose). Okinawan culture also features the eisa dance, a traditional drumming dance. A traditional craft, the fabric named bingata, is made in workshops on the main island and elsewhere.
Karate
Main articles: Karate
Karate originated on Okinawa. There are several styles, among them Shotokan, Shorin-Ryu, Wado Ryu, Uechi Ryu, Goju Ryu, Isshin-Ryu, Shito-Ryu, Moto bu Ryu, Shorinji Ryu, and Shuri-ryu.
Architecture
A traditional Okinawan house
Okinawa has many remains of a unique type of castle or fortress called ''Gusuku''. These are believed to be the predecessors of Japan's castles.
Whereas most homes in Japan are made with wood and allow free-flow of air to combat humidity, typical modern homes in Okinawa are made from concrete with barred windows (protection from flying plant matter) to deal with regular typhoons. Roofs are also designed with strong winds in mind, with each tile cemented on and not merely layered as seen with many homes elsewhere in Japan.
Many roofs also display a statue resembling a lion or dragon, called a ''shisa'', which is said to protect the home from danger. Roofs are typically red in color and are inspired by Chinese design.
U.S. military controversy
US. Military Bases in Okinawa
Because the islands are close to mainland China and Taiwan, the United States has large military bases in the island. The area of 32 US bases are 233km2, occupying 18% of the main island. 75% of the United States Forces Japan base located in the relatively small Okinawa prefecture.
Most of Okinawans oppose the presence of the U.S. military due to noise pollution from military drills, aircraft accidents, environmental destruction[5], and crimes committed by U.S. military personnel[6]. The Okinawan prefectural government and all of local municipalities demand the withdrawal of the US militaries for 50 years[7], but a fundamental solution was never performed by both of the Japanese and U.S. governments.
Consequent problems of military crimes (including extraterritoriality), a base-dependent local economy, and other issues continue to arise in Okinawa and have their roots in the early post-war period. The Yumiko Incident is notorious for the rape and murder of six-year-old Yumiko, in 1955. Isaac J. Hart, who was accused of the crime, was not convicted. Forty years later, on September 4, 1995, three U.S. servicemen abducted and raped a 12-year-old girl. At the time of the incident, Japanese police could not arrest the men known to be involved because the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement gave US servicemen immunity from local laws. Eventually by the political compromise, the soldiers were tried, and convicted in early 1996.
Anti-military base emotions erupted in some of the largest protests in recent history.[8] As a result of this incident US-Japan agreements which were criticized for being too protective of US servicemen involved in crimes underwent revision and a movement to alleviate civilian burden by reducing the size of US military bases got under way. In November of 1995, a group called "Okinawan Women Act Against Military Violence" was organized to raise awareness of crimes alleged to have been committed by U.S. military personnel on the island.
Alleged US nuclear arms base
Japanese government strictly restrained the introduction of nuclear arms into the Japanese territory by the non-nuclear policy (Three Non-Nuclear Principles). Prior to the reversion of Okinawa to Japanese administration in 1972, it is reported that one thousand two hundred nuclear weapons were deployed in the US bases in Okinawa[9]. Most of the weapons were stored in ammunition bunkers of the Kadena Air Base, with poison gas munitions.
There is wide range speculations that not all the weapons were removed from Okinawa.[10]
Edwin O. Reischauer, former US ambassador to Japan, in a interview with the Mainichi Shimbun in 1981, said that US naval ships armed with nukes stopped at Japanese ports on a routine duty, and this was approved by the Japanese government.
In the ''Bulletin of Atomic Scientists'' in early 2000, [2] [3] Robert S. Norris, William M. Arkin, and William Burr wrote that the United States has placed nuclear arms on Okinawa. This is disputed by the American government.
MCAS Futenma relocation
The governments of the United States and Japan agreed on October 26, 2005 to move the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma base from its location in the densely populated city of Ginowan to the more northerly and remote Camp Schwab. Under the plan, thousands of Marines will relocate. The move is partly an attempt to relieve tensions between the people of Okinawa and the Marine Corps. Protests from environmental groups and residents over the construction of part of a runway at Camp Schwab, and from businessmen and politicians around Futenma and Henoko, have occurred [4].
The legality of the proposed heliport relocation has been questioned as being a violation of International Law, including the World Heritage Convention, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in an article titled "Boundary Intersections of UNESCO Heritage Conventions: Using Custom and Cultural Landscapes to Save Okinawa’s Dugong Habitat from U.S. Heliport Construction". The article even questions whether the current use of Camp Schwab for amphibious training violates these three conventions.
Education
The public schools in Okinawa are overseen by the Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education. The agency directly operates several public high schools [5]. The US Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) operates 12 schools total in Okinawa. Six of these schools are located on Kadena Air Base.
Sports
Soccer
★ F.C. Ryūkyū (Naha)
In addition, various baseball teams hold training during the winter in the prefecture as it is the warmest prefecture of Japan with no snow and higher temperatures than other prefectures.
★ Softbank Hawks
★ Yokohama BayStars
★ Chunichi Dragons
★ Yakult Swallows
Transportation
Air transportation
★ Aguni Airport
★ Hateruma Airport
★ Ieshima Airport
★ Ishigaki Airport
★ Kerama Airport
★ Kita Daito Airport
★ Kumejima Airport
★ Minami Daito Airport
★ Miyako Airport
★ Naha Airport
★ Shimojijima Airport
★ Tarama Airport
★ Yonaguni Airport
Highways
★ Okinawa Expressway
★ Naha Airport Expressway
★ Route 58
★ Route 329
★ Route 330
★ Route 331
★ Route 332
★ Route 390
★ Route 449
★ Route 505
★ Route 506
★ Route 507
Rail
★ Okinawa Monorail
Ports
The major ports of Okinawa include
★ Naha Port [6]
★ Port of Unten [7]
★ Port of Kinwan [8]
★ Nakagusukuwan Port [9]
★ Hirara Port [10]
★ Port of Ishigaki [11]
United States military installations
★ Kadena Air Base
★ Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler
★
★ Marine Corps Air Station Futenma
★
★ Camp Courtney
★
★ Camp Foster
★
★ Camp Hansen
★
★ Camp Kinser
★
★ Camp McTureous
★
★ Camp Schwab
★
★ Camp Gonsalves (Northern Training Area, Jungle Warfare Training Center)
★ Naha Military Port
★ Naval Facility White Beach
★ Camp Lester
★ Torii Station
★ Camp Shields
See also
★ Ryukyu Islands
★ Ryukyuan people
★ Ryukyu (Okinawan) Samurai
★ History of Ryukyu Islands
★ Ryukyuan religion
★ Ryukyu independence movement
★ Ryukyu Independent Party
★ Okinawan language
★ Okinawa Island
★
References
1. 山下町第１洞穴出土の旧石器について, 南島考古22
2. 沖縄県の基地の現状, Okinawa Prefectural Government
3. .沖縄に所在する在日米軍施設・区域, Japan Ministry of Defense
4. 語り継ぎたい「沖縄戦」, Okinawa Times, May 13, 2007
5. Impact on the Lives of the Okinawan Pepole (Incidents, Accidents and Environmental Issues), Okinawa Prefectural Government
6. 沖縄・米兵による女性への性犯罪(Rapes and murders by the US military personnel 1945-2000), 基地・軍隊を許さない行動する女たちの会
7. Military base Affairs Division, Okinawa prefecture
8. U.S. servicemen convicted in Okinawa rape, CNN, March 7, 1996
9. 完全撤去の保証を与えよ, Okinawa Times, October 22,1999
10. 疑惑が晴れるのはいつか, Okinawa Times, May 16, 1999
External links
★ Okinawa Prefecture
★ ★ class=wikiexternal target=_blank>current=Page_Header&action=Top_Page&mode=isel&lang=en&name=header_en mahae plus - Okinawa Travel Information
★ Okinawa Language - English Dictionary
★ Okinawa Living & Outdoors Information on moving to and living in Okinawa Japan
★ Okinawa Information and Living Guides
News
★ Japan Update, news and information about Okinawa in English (updated every so often)
★ Okinawa 1988-1991 Blog, reporting news about Okinawa.
Geography and maps
★ Google Maps
Photographs
★ Okinawa HDR Photography
★ Pictures & Slideshows of Okinawa
★ Wonder Okinawa
Culture
★ Ryukyu Cultural Archives
★ Okinawa Prefecture Official Home-page
★ The Okinawa Centenarian Study
★ Okinawa Web Radio(BRAZIL)
History
Misc
★ The Contemporary Okinawa Website - History, culture, news, book reviews, historical documents, links, opinions
★ Okinawa Geocaching - site for geocaching (treasure hunt with GPS) in Okinawa.
Peace
★ Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum
★ Okinawa Peace Network of Los Angeles - Useful information on the U.S. military base controversy.
This article provided by Wikipedia. To edit the contents of this article, click here for original source.
psst.. try this: add to faves
Featured Companies
| Dancing Moon Travel | |
| Alpine Interface Inc. | |
| Travelbugs, LLC | |
| Golf Holidays International |
