Photo/Illutration Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki, left, and Kurara Chibana, a model, join the discussion during the symposium held to mark the 50th anniversary of Okinawa’s return to Japanese sovereignty in Tokyo’s Chuo Ward on May 29. (Tetsuro Takehana)

A symposium in Tokyo on May 29 to mark the 50th anniversary of Okinawa's return to Japanese sovereignty offered a reflection on the difficulties the prefecture and the residents have experienced and hopes for the future.

The event titled “Thinking about Okinawa, thinking from Okinawa--50 years since the return to Japan and toward the future” was held at Hamarikyu Asahi Hall in the Tsukiji district of Tokyo's Chuo Ward. 

It was organized by The Asahi Shimbun and Ryukyu Asahi Broadcasting Co., with the cooperation of The Okinawa Times.

The symposium discussed Okinawa’s future and Japanese society from the various viewpoints of noted speakers including security, economic, cultural and identity issues.

In the first part of the event, Jon Kabira, 63, a radio personality, Kurara Chibana, 40, a model, and Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki, 62, all from Okinawa Prefecture, joined a panel discussion titled “Half a century seen through family histories.”

Tamaki talked about his experience of growing up in a single parent household after his father who was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps returned to his country as well as being bullied.

Chibana talked about how she found that her grandfather had lived his life after the war feeling guilty for surviving the bloody Battle of Okinawa in 1945 when she interviewed him.

Kabira said, “How people inherit their history by absorbing the light and shadow (of their generation) and passing them down to the next generation is a challenge for anyone, regardless of where they live and in what generation they are in.”

The second part was a panel discussion titled “The current situation of Okinawa and Japan.”

Ayane Ishigaki, 32, an “Okinawa place-making facilitator,” pointed out that Okinawa’s economy is concentrated in certain industries, which has led to fewer job options when she discussed the income disparity and poverty in the prefecture.

She added, “Although various economic revitalization measures have been implemented for Okinawa, resultant profits have gone to outside the prefecture.”

Then she emphasized the importance of growing industries in Okinawa that will lead to sustainable development in the prefecture.

The disagreement between the central government and the Okinawa prefectural government over the former’s plan to relocate U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from Ginowan to the Henoko district of Nago, both in the prefecture, was also touched on.

Former Tottori Governor Yoshihiro Katayama, 70, said, “Many people recognize it as an Okinawa issue, but other prefectures could face similar issues too.”

Kazue Yonamine, 57, managing editor of The Okinawa Times, said that it’s difficult to learn deeply and continuously about Okinawa issues including the U.S. military bases located there because they are complicated and also because the prefecture has a long history.

She added, however, people could learn about Okinawa just by paying attention when news about Okinawa is covered by the media or when they catch a glimpse of the word “Okinawa” somewhere.

Ryo Kiyuna, 31, a karateka and Tokyo 2020 gold medalist from Okinawa Prefecture, demonstrated karate techniques during the symposium.

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