Naha City, capital of Okinawa Prefecture, celebrates 100 years: “bright smiles in the next 100 years”

Naha City, capital of Okinawa Prefecture, celebrates 100 years: “bright smiles in the next 100 years”

Naha City Mayor Mikiko Shiroma (center) releasing balloons with local children as a pledge for peace during the Naha City Centennial Celebration, held at Naha City Hall in the afternoon on May 20.


May 21, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On May 20, Naha City celebrated its 100th anniversary as a city and held a centennial celebration at its city hall. The event commemorated the centennial anniversary as well as its history of overcoming tumultuous times, including the Battle of Okinawa and the reversion to Japan, and the city’s reconstruction and development since.

 

Naha City Mayor Mikiko Shiroma said, “The city’s development was made possible by our predecessors’ efforts, the residents’ yearning for peace, and our love for Naha. We will continue to give our best so that our children can smile brightly and everyone can live with a rich heart for the next 100 years.”

 

At the ceremony, Director of Japan Post Okinawa Branch Masatsugu Hisada presented a commemorative stamp to Mayor Shiroma. After the ceremony, a virtual exchange was held online to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Naha City’s sister city affiliation with Fuzhou, China.

 

Okinawa became a prefecture of Japan in 1879 with the Ryukyu Disposition, and Naha was designated the capital. Naha and Shuri became special wards in 1896, but compared to other Japanese prefectures, the operation of the local governance was ineffectual. In 1921, Okinawa adopted a city system similar to that of other prefectures. After WWII, Naha city merged with Shuri City and Oroku Village in 1954 and with Mahwashi City in 1957.

 

(English translation by T&CT and Monica Shingaki)

 

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