To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Okinawa reverting to Japanese control, Okinawa Coca Cola Bottling (Urasoe, Yoshihiko Koyama, CEO), the company announced the re-release of a 50-year-old label for a special retro-design can. The release will be a limited 150,000-can production only for sale in Okinawa
The retro-designed can will be a 250 ml can with the “Coca Cola” label written in katakana, with a “registered trademark” stamp written in kanji underneath. The can will also use a deeper red color than what is being used on the can currently.
Aika Yokuda, who is in charge of strategic planning at the company, said, “We want to provide some nostalgia while still offering the same great taste for people who have been drinking coke since that time. For young people, the retro design will bring them closer to the reversion of 50 years ago.”
The retro-designed can will be for sale at supermarkets, convenience store, and vending machines throughout Okinawa. The company is planning on selling the cans for 110 yen (before tax)
Tourism industry operators, who have received a serious blow to their operations due to commercial travel restrictions in light of the spread of the novel coronavirus, held a rally on May 10 in the plaza in front of the Prefectural Office, where 300 or more people gathered to request cooperation subsidies and fair COVID assistance measures for the tourism industry. Leading up to May 10, more than 3,000 people’s signatures were collected in support of the appeal by tourism industry personnel.
The rally was held by the Association for Realizing Cooperation Subsidies for Tourism Industry Operators due to Prior Appeals for Self-Restraint from Okinawa. Food and drink industry operators complying with appeals for operating under reduced business hours or temporary closure in light of the COVID-19 pandemic having been paid cooperation money amounting to at least 120 billion yen in Okinawa alone, and meanwhile there being no similar assistance measures for tour agents creates an unjust disparity. Tourism industry operators are requesting compensation for losses over these two years.
Hitoshi Kinjo (president of Kyuyokan Hotels Okinawa), who is chairman of the Association of Okinawa Future Tourism and acts as the head promoter of the association, voiced his distress, saying: “Hasn’t the tourism industry been Okinawa’s leading industry? Not leaving anyone behind is one goal of the Okinawa Prefectural Government’s SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), yet the tourism industry is being left behind.”
Chairman Yoshiro Shimoji of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is rushing to support the tourism industry, spoke about the “realization of a strong Okinawan economy” from a new fundamental policy for the Okinawa promotion measures determined by the Japanese government, saying: “The main role [of this policy] is to actualize the tourism industry operators here and the wider industry around these operators. This main role is firmly established at the start line, and I ask that the nation please also assist in making it possible to achieve this goal.”
As the 50th anniversary of the reversion of Okinawa to Japan approaches, the Ryukyu Shimpo conducted a public opinion poll in collaboration with Mainichi Shimbun, which asked respondents in both Okinawa and throughout Japan their assessment of the reversion as well as their awareness of the military base issues. When asked their opinion of the fact that 70% of U.S. military bases in Japan were located in Okinawa, 61% of respondents in Okinawa answered that it was “unfair,” while only 40% of respondents in all regions of Japan answered similarly. In a nationwide survey, when asked if they would approve of moving the bases in Okinawa to the region in which they lived, 52% of people said they would be opposed, while only 23% said they would support it. The answers reaffirmed that there was a difference in opinion regarding the base burden in Okinawa between those in the Ryukyu archipelago and those on the main island, and that there was a lack of awareness of the issue outside of Okinawa.
When asked of their opinion of the reversion to Japan, 92% of people in Okinawa responded that it was “good” or they were “somewhat good,” a 12-point increase compared to a similar survey conducted on the 40th anniversary in 2012. This was also 10 points higher than the surveys conducted on the 30th and 35th anniversaries, marking the highest number since the survey began. In all regions of Japan, 80% responded that they thought it was “good” while 15% responded that they were “somewhat good.”
Regarding the relocation of MCAS Futenma to a new base facility in Henoko, 54% of people in Okinawa responded that the base should be shuttered without a relocation and be moved outside of Okinawa and Japan. The people who wanted the central government’s relocation plan to continue came in at 36% support.
Nationally, 42% of people oppose the relocation plan, while 37% of people support it, showing a clear difference in opinion between Japan and the rest of the country.
The method the survey was conducted was different than the one in 2012, which was conducted over the phone, however opposition to Henoko base relocation was over 90%. As the central government continues its heavy-handed approach to the new base construction, a shift in public opinion in Okinawa can also be seen.
Regarding the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), 71% of Okinawans want a fundamental revision of the agreement, and there was a sharp increase to 13% in those who responded “do not revise the agreement, but they should improve the implementation of the existing agreement.” In the nationwide survey, 55% called for a revision to the agreement, and 15% who called for improving the execution of the existing agreement, showing another difference in opinion regarding SOFA, similar to the difference regarding the concentration of bases.
On April 29, Kyan Shoten, a general wholesaler and retailer of awamori located in Naha City (president Yoshinori Kyan), released a special edition mini awamori set to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Okinawa’s reversion to Japan. The set features awamori from all 45 distilleries in Okinawa, each bottle repackaged with a reprinted label from the time of Okinawa’s reversion. Each set includes 45 100ml-bottles of awamori and two posters showcasing vintage labels from around the reversion and current labels in use today. A total of 540 limited edition sets were produced.
Many of the awamori labels have changed design since the 1970s.
The phrase “Ryukyu awamori” is found on most awamori labels today, but the nostalgic vintage designs instead use phrases such as “authentic awamori.” Some labels were printed in English.
Kyan Shoten president Yoshinori Kyan, who visited the Ryukyu Shimpo newspaper on April 28, said, “With the total volume of awamori shipments declining for 17 consecutive years, we want to remind Okinawans once again of the brilliance of awamori.” Masayoshi Higa (Sales and Planning) added, “This is an exquisite set that was made possible with the collaboration from all the [local] distilleries. It also makes for good decor.”
The set can be purchased at Kyan Shoten and other sake retailers for 19,800 yen (tax included).
On May 5, as Golden Week came to a close, Naha Airport was busy with tourists returning home. For the first time in three years, a state of emergency was not in effect. The rainy season started on May 4, but crowds of tourists packed resorts and shopping malls to enjoy their days off in spite of poor weather.
The check-in lobby for domestic flights was crowed as the large numbers of people who spent their holiday in Okinawa started their journeys home. Many families carrying large suitcases could be seen. Travelers wore masks for their vacations during the pandemic, but the lively airport scene was nearly indistinguishable from the days before COVID-19.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Okinawa Regional Headquarters, announced the morning of May 4 that the Okinawa region appeared to have entered the rainy season. This year was six days earlier than the average starting day, and one day earlier than the previous year. Okinawa is the first region in Japan to start the rainy season this year.
According to the JMA, the coming week will have a seasonal rain front and low-pressure systems that will lead to many cloudy and rainy days. There is a chance that depending on the movement of the storm front that May 5 will have heavy rain.
Based on yearly averages, the rainy season is forecasted to end around June 21.
With the 50th anniversary of the reversion of Okinawa to Japan approaching, the “Reversion 50th anniversary online citizens’ convention for a base-free and abundant Okinawa proud of peace – is the Yara proposal being realized?” (hosted by the convention’s executive committee) was held on April 30. The convention reflected on the progress of Okinawa as well as its current situation, and confirm their goal of realizing an “abundant, peaceful Okinawa free of military bases.”
The event’s six co-representatives took the stage, where they discussed their thoughts and hopes regarding the reversion, and the group adopted a resolution and slogan demanding the cessation of construction of new base facilities in Henoko, and for a fundamental revision of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).
The resolution and slogan were reported to Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki. They are also investigating making an appeal to the central government as well.
The convention was planned in large part by the ruling party of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly, which backs the Tamaki gubernatorial administration. At first, the convention was planned to host 10,000 attendants in-person, however due to a surge of coronavirus cases It was moved online, and the event was also broadcasted on YouTube. The event plans on announcing the viewership totals on the final day of the event.
Kunigami and Yoron – April 28 marked 70 years since the Treaty of San Francisco came into effect in 1952, separating Okinawa and the Amami Islands from Japan and placing Okinawa under the governance of the United States until reversion in 1972. On April 28, residents of Kunigami and Yoron, Kagoshima met at sea near the 27th parallel north, which has come to symbolize the separation of Japan and Okinawa, to reenact the meetings at sea that were held to demand Okinawa’s reversion.
This year is the 50th anniversary of the reversion. Participants held a commemorative procession and a ceremony, confirming that the history of the division is being passed down to future generations. Approximately 140 people participated in the meeting at sea on a total of 21 boats. These participants read aloud a declaration promising to “maintain the bond and strengthen the ties between the towns.” The meetings being commemorated were held from 1963-1969 between representatives from Okinawa and Yoron, which had already reverted to Japan. The meetings were reenacted once in 2012. It has been ten years since the meeting was last held. (compiled by Kotaro Nagamine)
On April 28, locals of Yorontou island, Kagoshima Prefecture, commemorated the 50th anniversary of the reversion of Okinawa to Japan with a large bonfire and sent their thoughts across the ocean to Kunigami Village, Okinawa. An anniversary parade took place at the Yoron Castle Ruins, attended by 100 people, including 19 members of an exchange group from Kunigami Village.
During the event, Kozo Tanoue, chairman of the Kagoshima Prefectural Assembly, highlighted the severed comings and goings between the two islands and said, “We must never forget [the history].”
Governor Denny Tamaki addressed the press on April 27, on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the Treaty of San Francisco (the peace treaty between the U.S. and Japan) coming into effect on April 28, 1952, where he stated his opinion that, “We are still today facing a heavy burden from the U.S. bases, and issues with the regional agreements between Japan and the U.S., and there is still not a clear path to resolution.”
To the central Japanese government, Tamaki commented, “More and more Okinawa needs to ask for all the cooperation we can get. We want [the central government] to recognize that this is a critical juncture” and indicated that he would continue to ask the central government to work towards reducing the base burden in Okinawa as well as revising the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).
April 28 marked six years since the incident in 2016 in which a woman out walking in the central region of Okinawa Island was murdered by a civilian man in U.S. military employ who formerly belonged to the Marine Corps. People have come to mourn the deceased woman at the site where her body was found in Afuso, Onna Village. People have brought flowers to set on a flower table placed at the site, and quietly offered their prayers there.
Former Kin Town Mayor Katsuhiro Yoshida, 77, who set up the flower table around 6:00 a.m. that morning, said, “An incident such as this must not be forgotten, and must not be repeated.” After the incident, Yoshida has kept formerly offered dolls and paper cranes safe, and has collectively displayed these items on the flower table on the anniversary of the woman’s death.
As for Yoshida’s reason for setting up the flower table, he touched on incidents that have left wounds borne by Okinawans, including an incident in October 2021 in which a U.S. Marine raped a woman. Yoshida said, “Even now, incidents related to the U.S. Armed Forces are never-ending. I want us to use the incident as an impetus for considering how Okinawa ought to be.”
“You will not be forgotten.” Before going to work, a man, 58, visited the site and silently prayed after offering flowers on the flower table. He said, “My daughter is about the age of the deceased woman. The victim of the incident could have been my daughter. Changing the current circumstances in which U.S. Armed Forces-related incidents repeatedly occur is a responsibility for the adults.”
A woman in her 70s visited from Ginowan City. She said, “I visit here every year so as to inform my children and grandchildren about it.” She added, “Short of the troops no longer being here U.S. military incidents and accidents will not be eliminated. How long do the Japanese and US governments plan to trample Okinawa underfoot, I wonder.”
The site where the woman’s body was found is in a grove of trees near to a low-traffic prefectural road. Sometimes the sounds of target practice from the nearby Camp Hansen can be heard ringing out at the site.
Webcam(Kokusai Street)
