Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to
celebrate the return of sovereignty
to Japan after World War II. There is just one problem: Okinawa
had
to wait until the 1970s - and remains the center for American
military
operations in the country.
Prime Minister Abe
to Humiliate Okinawa with 'Restoration of Sovereignty Day' (Ryukyu ShimpoShimbun, Japan)
"Under the Treaty of San Francisco, in
exchange for Japanese independence, Okinawa was isolated from Japan and
remained under U.S. military rule. As the head of every Okinawan
municipality knows, April 28, 1952, the day the Treaty came into effect, is known
as 'Humiliation Day' in Okinawa. Not a single one of them will vote in favor of
holding a ceremony to celebrate the 'Restoration of Sovereignty' - and rightly not."
Okinawa Prefecture Governor Hirokazu Nakaima, along with a majority of Okinawans, opposes a ceremony for 'Restoration of Sovereignty Day' - the day America relinquished control over much of the country. Why? Because Okinawa remained under U.S. military control for another 20 years.
The Okinawa prefectural assembly, responding to a plan
to hold a ceremony on April 28 in celebration of "Restoration of
Sovereignty Day," passed a unanimous resolution in rejection of the event.
And among municipal councils within the prefecture, the movement to adopt resolutions
or written opinions rejecting the event has been overwhelming.
The Ryukyu Shinpo
carried out a poll on "Restoration of Sovereignty Day" among the
heads of 41 municipalities within Okinawa Prefecture, and the results showed
that approximately 80 percent are opposed to the event, and not a single
respondent agreed with it.
Okinawa is pursuing every possible democratic avenue to demand a
reconsideration of this event. The administration should take this very seriously.
Under the Treaty
of San Francisco, in exchange for Japanese independence, Okinawa was
isolated from Japan and remained under U.S. military rule. As the head of every
Okinawan municipality knows, April 28, 1952, the day
the Treaty came into effect, is known as “Humiliation Day” in Okinawa. Not a
single one of them will vote in favor of holding a ceremony to celebrate the
“Restoration of Sovereignty” - and rightly not.
We have a question for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Given what happened to Okinawa on this day, should you really go ahead with such
a ceremony? If you force through this ceremony as planned, no matter how you try
to smooth things over afterwards, there will be no question that this is an act
of discrimination against Okinawa. A thorough analysis and understanding of the
current state of Japan’s “sovereignty” must be the top priority, and no
ceremony should be held by force.
If Japan is a true democracy, and if it's leaders wish to show they are willing
to listen to the voice of Okinawans, their only
choice is to forego holding this ceremony. The ceremony is also intended to
commemorate the "60 year anniversary of Japan's return to the
international community." But while the inequalities of the Japan-U.S.
Status of Forces Agreement are ignored, and servile diplomatic relations
toward the United States continue, can Japan really puff itself up with pride
at a "Restoration of Sovereignty?"
In the administration's ceremony invitation letter to members of the
National Diet, the fact that Okinawa, Amami and
Ogasawara fell under American administration, and the reality of Japan’s
distorted status as a sovereign state, aren't touched upon at all. In the
letter, the event is described as a celebration of the "complete
restoration of the sovereignty in our country." This shows a complete detachment
from the realities of the situation.
Posted By Worldmeets.US
Abe and Chief Cabinet Secretary YoshihideSuga have repeatedly said "we must not forget the
history of hardship in Okinawa Prefecture." But what exactly do they mean
by this? In the end, are they really showing consideration for Okinawa, or are
we being lied to? They should consider how such a haphazard attitude
disappoints and angers Okinawa's citizens.
The poll taken by the Ryukyu Shinpo asked whether Okinawa Governor HirokazuNakaima should attend
the event, and more than 60 percent of respondents replied that he "should
not attend." It appears that the governor's initial comments about the
ceremony, that it is "completely incomprehensible," reflects a
sentiment shared by a majority of the area's officials. The governor should resolutely
declare that he will not attend, and directly communicate his objections to the
event.
