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Learning from Okinawa’s geopolitical history: how easing the burden of the bases makes good geopolitical sense

O'shea, Paul LU (2019) In Asia's Transformations p.97-105
Abstract
This chapter examines the contemporary geopolitical challenges facing Okinawa by considering the geopolitical history of the islands. It pays particular attention to the events precipitating the Meiji Restoration, and of the subsequent Meiji Era. Meiji may have led to the modernization of Japan, but imperial policy relegated Okinawa to economic-backwater status, and of course eventually the islanders were sacrificed to protect the homeland. However, historically, discrimination and sacrifice did not lead to widespread rejection of unity with the Japanese mainland. Today, Okinawa is at a crossroads. Changes in military technology and regional geopolitics have put the islands in the line of fire in the event of any conflict. Meanwhile,... (More)
This chapter examines the contemporary geopolitical challenges facing Okinawa by considering the geopolitical history of the islands. It pays particular attention to the events precipitating the Meiji Restoration, and of the subsequent Meiji Era. Meiji may have led to the modernization of Japan, but imperial policy relegated Okinawa to economic-backwater status, and of course eventually the islanders were sacrificed to protect the homeland. However, historically, discrimination and sacrifice did not lead to widespread rejection of unity with the Japanese mainland. Today, Okinawa is at a crossroads. Changes in military technology and regional geopolitics have put the islands in the line of fire in the event of any conflict. Meanwhile, Okinawan nationalism is growing, fueled by the indefinite burden of the bases and the tragic history of the islands. If Tokyo and Washington continue the differential treatment of Okinawa, they may well find that this time, the islanders insist on taking their fate into their own hands. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Japan, international relations, Okinawa, politics, Asian studies, japanese studies, military bases
host publication
Japan's Future and a New Meiji Transformation : International Reflections - International Reflections
series title
Asia's Transformations
editor
HaraHolroydSöderberg, Ken Coates ; Hara, Kimie ; Holroyd, Carin and Söderberg, Marie
pages
97 - 105
publisher
Routledge
external identifiers
  • scopus:85067035498
ISBN
9780367174248
9780429616396
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
e5869f96-ac6d-440c-a73d-29bfa42820c8
date added to LUP
2019-04-02 14:53:42
date last changed
2024-04-16 02:49:36
@inbook{e5869f96-ac6d-440c-a73d-29bfa42820c8,
  abstract     = {{This chapter examines the contemporary geopolitical challenges facing Okinawa by considering the geopolitical history of the islands. It pays particular attention to the events precipitating the Meiji Restoration, and of the subsequent Meiji Era. Meiji may have led to the modernization of Japan, but imperial policy relegated Okinawa to economic-backwater status, and of course eventually the islanders were sacrificed to protect the homeland. However, historically, discrimination and sacrifice did not lead to widespread rejection of unity with the Japanese mainland. Today, Okinawa is at a crossroads. Changes in military technology and regional geopolitics have put the islands in the line of fire in the event of any conflict. Meanwhile, Okinawan nationalism is growing, fueled by the indefinite burden of the bases and the tragic history of the islands. If Tokyo and Washington continue the differential treatment of Okinawa, they may well find that this time, the islanders insist on taking their fate into their own hands.}},
  author       = {{O'shea, Paul}},
  booktitle    = {{Japan's Future and a New Meiji Transformation : International Reflections}},
  editor       = {{HaraHolroydSöderberg, Ken Coates and Hara, Kimie and Holroyd, Carin and Söderberg, Marie}},
  isbn         = {{9780367174248}},
  keywords     = {{Japan; international relations; Okinawa; politics; Asian studies; japanese studies; military bases}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{97--105}},
  publisher    = {{Routledge}},
  series       = {{Asia's Transformations}},
  title        = {{Learning from Okinawa’s geopolitical history: how easing the burden of the bases makes good geopolitical sense}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}