| The day, April 28th 1952, was called "The disgraceful day" for
a long time. "Treaty of Peace with Japan" came into effect between
Japan and America on this day. By this treaty, America could occupy Okinawa
islands almost permanently. All Okinawa residents, who were taken away their
families in the war and their land after the war, hoped to belong back to
Japan mainland to escape from their tragic situaions. However, this treaty
admitted the independence of the mainland while it legalized the American
military occupation of Okinawa. That was too disgraceful.
And what's more disgraceful, many construction companies from the mainland had snaked into Okinawa before Japan and America signed the treaty to do business as military bases spread. They were ugly enough to have sacrificed Okinawa for many years and used Okinawa for profits. Next year, Amami islands, also occupied like Okinawa, were returned to Japan, but Okinawa stayed as it was. In January 1954, President E isenhower announced that Americal would keep Okinawa indefinitely. Okinawa was re-evaluated as a military base at Korean War and therefore military policies had a priorty over anything in Okinawa. Then military bases construction spread immediately, and literally, Okinawa's future depended on the U.S. Military. |
Copyright (C) 1998 Project YMO