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@article{ART002084303},
author={Gavan McComack},
title={400 Year History of Ryukyu/Okinawa and the East China Sea: A Bird’s Eye View},
journal={Asia Review},
issn={2234-0386},
year={2016},
volume={5},
number={2},
pages={233-258}

TY - JOUR
AU - Gavan McComack
TI - 400 Year History of Ryukyu/Okinawa and the East China Sea: A Bird’s Eye View
JO - Asia Review
PY - 2016
VL - 5
IS - 2
PB - 아시아연구소
SP - 233
EP - 258
SN - 2234-0386
AB - 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.
KW - Okinawa;East China Sea;Ryukyu islands;military base;opposition movement against Henoko base
DO -
UR -
ER -

Gavan McComack. (2016). 400 Year History of Ryukyu/Okinawa and the East China Sea: A Bird’s Eye View. Asia Review, 5(2), 233-258.

Gavan McComack. 2016, "400 Year History of Ryukyu/Okinawa and the East China Sea: A Bird’s Eye View", Asia Review, vol.5, no.2 pp.233-258.

Gavan McComack "400 Year History of Ryukyu/Okinawa and the East China Sea: A Bird’s Eye View" Asia Review 5.2 pp.233-258 (2016) : 233.

Gavan McComack. 400 Year History of Ryukyu/Okinawa and the East China Sea: A Bird’s Eye View. 2016; 5(2), 233-258.

Gavan McComack. "400 Year History of Ryukyu/Okinawa and the East China Sea: A Bird’s Eye View" Asia Review 5, no.2 (2016) : 233-258.

Gavan McComack. 400 Year History of Ryukyu/Okinawa and the East China Sea: A Bird’s Eye View. Asia Review, 5(2), 233-258.

Gavan McComack. 400 Year History of Ryukyu/Okinawa and the East China Sea: A Bird’s Eye View. Asia Review. 2016; 5(2) 233-258.

Gavan McComack. 400 Year History of Ryukyu/Okinawa and the East China Sea: A Bird’s Eye View. 2016; 5(2), 233-258.

Gavan McComack. "400 Year History of Ryukyu/Okinawa and the East China Sea: A Bird’s Eye View" Asia Review 5, no.2 (2016) : 233-258.