2016, Vol.5, No.2

Active cooperation among all parties surrounding the East China Sea isnecessary for peace and prosperity of East Asia. This paper looks at 400years of Okinawa’s history with this in mind. The “Okinawa Problem”is known to have its roots in the insistence of the U.S. and the Japanesegovernment on installing new facilities for the U.S. Marine Corps on thenorth end of the island, but hidden deeper within lies a long historicallegacy of oppression and exploitation. An independent kingdom since the late 14th century, the Ryukyu islandswere subdued by outside powers in the 17th century and forced to serveboth the Tokugawa shogunate and Beijing. In early 19th century the Meijigovernment deposed the kingdom and annexed the islands as soon as thenew regime was stabilized. The Okinawans were forced to denounce theiridentity and fully identify themselves as “Japanese,” and also to disowntheir unique language and culture. In May of 1947, after the war ended in which a devastating battle wasfought on the island, the Japanese Emperor preferred to have Okinawaruled under long-term U.S. military supervision. The residents of Okinawahoped that when the island is returned to Japan after being used as a“wartime” state under U.S. military administration, it would be freedfrom American occupation to become a peaceful and non-militarized island under the Japanese constitution. However, even as the island’sadministration was transferred to Japan in 1972 with a large payment madeby the Japanese government to the United States, Japan did not want themilitary bases to be returned. Since then the bases have remained for over 20 years, well past the endof the Cold War, and now both the American and Japanese governmentsare actually demanding an expansion of the bases, greatly disappointingthe islands’ residents. Okinawa’s geopolitical situation provides ampleopportunity to play a central role in the rapidly changing East Asiancommunity. Through the opposition movement against Henoko Base andover 400 years of violence and oppression, the story of a citizenry thatseeks restoration of a peaceful home via peaceful means continues today.

Okinawa’s Historical Experiences and “Anti-military” Ideals of Peace

Tsuneo Namihira | 2016, 5(2) | pp.259~294 | number of Cited : 5

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This paper discusses Okinawa’s historical experiences and the resultant“Anti-military” ideals of peace, with two main points of critical focus. Firstly,what has hitherto been referred to as the “Disposal of Ryukyu” should bereinstated and reevaluated as the “Annexation of Ryukyu” with the changeof perspective from the annexing party (the Meiji Government) to the annexed(Ryukyu). Second, there is a need for an appropriate placement of the eventof the annexation within the grand scheme of a rapidly modernizing EastAsia. When analyzed in the context of the historical transition from theold Sino-centric international order to the new order of modern Japaneseimperialism, it can quickly be discerned that the two annexations, that ofRyukyu and Korea, by Japan are actually very similar. It is often mentionedthat Okinawa and Jeju Island are much alike. As such, the commonexperiences of oppression and hardship that pierce both modern histories,are profoundly interrelated with the issues of the Cold War divisions inEast Asia, and Korea in particular, and also with the recent American (andallied) military strategy adjustments in the Asia-Pacific area. In Okinawa there is a deeply-rooted historical view and widespreadpride that the Ryukyu kingdom was a “Courteous and Refined Country”with a “pacifist culture.” Given the annexation by Meiji and assimilationinto Japan, the people of Okinawa have had mixed experiences as they faced discrimination and exclusion by the mainstream Japanese, which hasbeen replicated throughout the war, the post-war American occupation andrestoration movement, and continued up to today. The current Japanesegovernment is forcing construction around Henoko despite opposition, andOkinawa stands at a major crossroads again. One can even go so far asto claim that the island is at a critical point, facing a crisis between peaceand conflict. But there are also many conscientious citizens in Japan andintellectuals overseas who are sending their support for Okinawa’s dreamof achieving peace by overcoming militarism.

Europe-Asian Arc of Crisis: KAL 007, Euro-missiles and the War Scare of 1983

Bernd Greiner | 2016, 5(2) | pp.293~306 | number of Cited : 0

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The Politics of Security: British and West German Protests against Nuclear Weapons and the Early Cold War

Holger Nehring | 2016, 5(2) | pp.307~324 | number of Cited : 2

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2016, Vol.5, No.2