Okinawa Prefecture#History

{{See also|History of the Ryukyu Islands|Historic Sites of Okinawa}}

File:Ryukyuan mission in Edo.jpg to Edo]]

{{History of Ryukyu}}

The prehistoric history of Okinawa differs significantly from that of mainland Japan. Prior to written records, it is generally divided into two periods: the Paleolithic era and the Shellmidden period (Kaizuka period).{{cite book |author=安里進, 高良倉吉, 田名真之, 豊見山和行, 西里喜行, 真栄平房昭 |title=沖縄県の歴史 (History of Okinawa Prefecture) |year=2004 |publisher=山川出版社 (Yamakawa Publishing) |location=Tokyo |isbn=4-634-32470-9 |language=ja}}{{rp|14}} The earliest evidence of human activity in Okinawa includes the Yamashita Cave Man, dating back approximately 32,000 years, and the Minatogawa Man from around 18,000 years ago.{{rp|14}} In 2012, the world's oldest known fishhook was discovered in the Sakitari Cave site in Nanjo City, Okinawa Prefecture.{{cite web |url=https://sitereports.nabunken.go.jp/files/attach/31/31818/22515_1_%E6%B2%96%E7%B8%84%E7%9C%8C%E5%8D%97%E5%9F%8E%E5%B8%82%E3%82%B5%E3%82%AD%E3%82%BF%E3%83%AA%E6%B4%9E%E9%81%BA%E8%B7%A1%E7%99%BA%E6%8E%98%E8%AA%BF%E6%9F%BB%E5%A0%B1%E5%91%8A%E6%9B%B8.pdf |title=Excavation Report of the Sakitari Cave Site, Nanjo City, Okinawa |publisher=National Research Institute for Cultural Properties |access-date=2020-08-29 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829164831/https://sitereports.nabunken.go.jp/files/attach/31/31818/22515_1_%E6%B2%96%E7%B8%84%E7%9C%8C%E5%8D%97%E5%9F%8E%E5%B8%82%E3%82%B5%E3%82%AD%E3%82%BF%E3%83%AA%E6%B4%9E%E9%81%BA%E8%B7%A1%E7%99%BA%E6%8E%98%E8%AA%BF%E6%9F%BB%E5%A0%B1%E5%91%8A%E6%9B%B8.pdf |archive-date=2020-08-29 }}

The Shellmidden Period in Okinawa roughly corresponds to the Jōmon through Heian periods of mainland Japan, with a chronological gap of about 10,000 years from the Paleolithic era.{{Cite web |last=沖縄県 |title=沖縄県の縄文時代｜沖縄県公式ホームページ |url=https://www.pref.okinawa.jp/bunkakoryu/bunkageijutsu/1009673/1009695/1009717/1009719.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=沖縄県公式ホームページ |language=ja}}

At the Kogachibaru Shell Mound, archaeological findings include pottery styles such as Sobata and Ichiki, which originate from the Kyushu region, obsidian from Koshidake in Saga Prefecture, and jade from Itoigawa in Niigata Prefecture used for ornamental pendants. These discoveries indicate that close exchanges with Kyushu were already taking place during this time.{{Cite web |title=古我地原貝塚 - 沖縄県 - 行ってみよう〜全国遺跡・博物館マップ〜 |url=https://kids-kouko.com/historical_site/kyushu_okinawa/pref_okinawa/859/#:~:text=%E5%8F%A4%E6%88%91%E5%9C%B0%E5%8E%9F%E8%B2%9D%E5%A1%9A%EF%BC%88%E3%81%93%E3%81%8C,%E3%81%8C%E3%81%A4%E3%81%8F%E3%82%89%E3%82%8C%E3%81%A6%E3%81%84%E3%81%BE%E3%81%99%E3%80%82 |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=全国こども考古学教室 |language=ja}}

However, by the middle of the Shellmidden Period, Okinawan pottery began to exhibit clearly localized characteristics. Examples include the Iha and Ogido pottery styles, which are distinct to the region.

In contrast to the Shellmidden culture of Okinawa Island, which was influenced primarily by mainland Japan, the prehistoric cultures of the Miyako and Yaeyama Islands were shaped more significantly by southern cultures, including those from the Philippines.{{cite book |author=新城俊昭 |title=琉球・沖縄史 (History of Ryukyu and Okinawa) |publisher=東洋企画 (Toyo Planning) |year=2007 |isbn=978-4-938984-17-5 |location=Okinawa |language=ja}}{{rp|19}}

File:Katsuren Castle ruins.jpg]]

From the 12th century onward, Okinawa entered the Gusuku period, characterized by the development of an agrarian society. During this time, populations moved from coastal dunes to more fertile limestone plateaus, leading to significant population growth and the beginnings of international trade.{{rp|24}} Local chieftains, known as Aji, constructed fortified residences called Gusuku to protect their territories and expand their influence through foreign trade.{{rp|26}} Gusuku sites are found throughout the Ryukyu Islands, from the Amami Islands in the north to the Yaeyama Islands in the south, with estimates ranging from 300 to 400 sites in total. Early Gusuku were generally small, covering about 1,000 square meters, but larger fortresses appeared in later periods.{{rp|48}}

By the 14th century, Okinawa Island was divided into three polities, marking the beginning of the Sanzan period. These were the Kingdom of Hokuzan, centered at Nakijin Castle in the north; the Kingdom of Chūzan, centered at Urasoe Castle in the central region; and the Kingdom of Nanzan, centered at Ōzato Castle in the south.{{rp|26}}

According to official histories compiled by the royal government in Shuri—such as the Chūzan Seikan, Chūzan Seifu, and Kyūyō—the first royal lineage of Ryukyu was the legendary Tenson dynasty. After internal conflict during its 25th generation, a local Aji named Shunten from Urasoe was supported by the people, quelled the unrest, and was crowned as the first king of the Ryukyu Kingdom.{{rp|30}} However, these early historical accounts are heavily mythologized, and even if Shunten was a real historical figure, he likely ruled only the Urasoe area as an Aji.{{rp|30}} The Shunten dynasty lasted for three generations before being overthrown by the Eiso dynasty, which in turn was replaced by the Satto dynasty after four generations. By this time, Okinawa Island had effectively split into the three kingdoms of Hokuzan, Chūzan, and Nanzan.{{rp|34}}

In 1372, the Ming dynasty of China dispatched an envoy, Yang Zai, to the Kingdom of Chūzan, requesting the king, Satto, to enter into a tributary relationship. Satto agreed, and soon after, the kings of Nanzan (Chōsatto) and Hokuzan (Hanishi) also began paying tribute to the Ming court, bringing all three kingdoms into the Chinese tributary system.{{rp|36}}

In 1406, the Aji of Sashiki, Shō Hashi, overthrew King Bunei of the Satto dynasty and installed his father, Shō Shishō, as king, establishing the First Shō Dynasty.{{rp|42}} In 1416, Shō Hashi capitalized on dissatisfaction among the Aji of Hokuzan with their king, Hananchi, and conquered the kingdom. The Kingdom of Nanzan, plagued by internal conflict under the rule of Tarumoi, was defeated by Shō Hashi in 1429, completing the unification of Okinawa Island under the Chūzan Kingdom.{{rp|42}}

{{main|Ryukyu Kingdom}}

File:Enkaku-ji(Shuri)200703.jpg, the royal mausoleum temple of the Second Shō Dynasty]]

The First Shō Dynasty experienced political instability due to the early deaths of several kings. After the death of the fifth king, Shō Kinpuku, a succession dispute known as the Shirii-Tumui rebellion broke out. Order was eventually restored when Shō Taikyū ascended as the sixth king.{{rp|45}} During his reign, another major conflict, the Gosamaru–Amawari rebellion, occurred, but Shō Taikyū was able to suppress it.{{rp|46}} His successor, King Shō Toku, was known as a tyrant. After his death, a coup led by royal officials installed the high-ranking bureaucrat Kanemaru as king.{{rp|89}} Kanemaru took the royal name Shō En, founding the Second Shō Dynasty.{{rp|48}}

Under the rule of the third king of the dynasty, Shō Shin, a centralized administration was firmly established. Shō Shin relocated powerful regional chieftains (Aji) to the capital of Shuri and appointed state officials to govern the provinces directly. The territorial extent of the Ryukyu Kingdom also expanded, covering the area from the Amami Islands in the north to the Yaeyama Islands in the south.{{rp|48}} Culturally, this era was a golden age for the kingdom, with significant development in the arts, religion, and architecture.{{rp|53}}

By actively participating in the tribute system with the Ming dynasty, the Ryukyu Kingdom received preferential treatment and became a key intermediary trading hub in East Asia. Many of the tribute goods presented to China originated from Japan, while Chinese goods were exported to Japan through Ryukyu.{{rp|56}} Southeast Asia, China, and Japan were Ryukyu’s primary trade partners,{{rp|59}} and the kingdom also maintained trade with the Korean Peninsula.{{rp|58}} However, Ryukyu’s significance as a trade hub declined in the 16th century with the Age of Discovery, as Portuguese and Spanish merchants entered East Asia, and China gradually relaxed its maritime prohibition policies.{{rp|60}}

The Miyako Islands and Yaeyama Islands had long been politically fragmented. In 1474, local strongman Nakasone Toyomiya of Miyako Island submitted to the Ryukyu Kingdom, bringing the island under centralized control.{{rp|64}} In 1500, Ryukyuan forces defeated Oyake Akahachi, the ruler of Ishigaki Island.{{rp|66}} In 1522, Nakasone Toyomiya conquered Yonaguni Island, completing the unification of the Yaeyama Islands under Ryukyuan rule.{{rp|68}} The Amami Islands in the north also came under Ryukyuan control by 1466.{{rp|70}}

In 1609, the Shimazu clan of the Satsuma Domain invaded the Ryukyu Kingdom in what is known as the Invasion of Ryukyu. King Shō Nei surrendered, and the kingdom became a vassal state under Satsuma’s control. The Amami Islands were ceded to Satsuma as part of the settlement.{{rp|133}} While Ryukyu was partially integrated into Japan’s feudal han system, it continued to function as a nominally independent kingdom and maintained its tributary relationship with China.{{rp|85}}Ryukyuan sovereignty was maintained since complete annexation would have created a conflict with China. The Satsuma clan earned considerable profits from trade with China during a period in which foreign trade was heavily restricted by the shogunate. Although Satsuma maintained strong influence over the islands, the Ryukyu Kingdom maintained a considerable degree of domestic political freedom for over two hundred years.{{Cite web |title=琉球王国とは |url=https://oki-park.jp/shurijo/about/186 |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=首里城公園 Official Site |language=ja}}

In the mid-17th century, the Ryukyuan reformer Haneji Chōshū implemented significant political and social reforms promoting pro-Japanese policies.{{rp|152}} In the mid-18th century, Sai On, a statesman and scholar, continued these reforms and greatly improved the internal administration of the kingdom.{{rp|101}}

In 1816, two British ships visited Ryukyu but made no demands for trade or missionary activity.{{rp|131}} In 1844, France became the first European country to officially request trade with Ryukyu.{{rp|132}} In 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry of the United States East India Squadron stopped in Ryukyu prior to his negotiations with the Tokugawa shogunate in Japan.{{rp|138}}

File:Okinawa 01.jpg

Following the Meiji Restoration, Japan began its modernization process by abolishing the han system and establishing prefectures in 1871. That same year, the Mudan Incident occurred when a Ryukyuan ship drifted to Taiwan and its crew was killed by local indigenous people. This event became a pretext for Japan to assert control over the Ryukyu Kingdom. In 1872, Japan reclassified the kingdom as the Ryukyu Domain, a move known as the Ryukyu Disposition. To avoid backlash from the Qing dynasty and Ryukyuan royalty, the Meiji government initially designated Ryukyu as a "domain" rather than a "prefecture", a designation that had already been abolished in mainland Japan.{{rp|147}}

In 1874, another Ryukyuan shipwreck incident led to the Taiwan Expedition of 1874 (the Botan War), in which Japan dispatched troops to Taiwan. During post-conflict negotiations, the Qing acknowledged Japan’s actions as “a righteous act of protecting its people.” Japan interpreted this as de facto recognition of Ryukyu as Japanese territory and subsequently ordered the Ryukyu Domain to cease its tribute missions to China. This triggered internal division within the Ryukyuan court between pro-Japan and pro-China factions.{{rp|151}}

In March 1879, the Japanese government officially abolished the Ryukyu Domain and established Okinawa Prefecture, relocating King Shō Tai to Tokyo. Some Ryukyuan nobles and civilians fled to China and appealed to the Qing government to restore the Ryukyu Kingdom. Resistance in the Miyako and Yaeyama Islands was especially strong, culminating in the Kōchi Incident, in which locals killed a Japanese interpreter. However, the rebellion was eventually suppressed.{{rp|151}}

The Qing dynasty invited former U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant to mediate the dispute. Grant proposed a compromise in which the Okinawa Islands would go to Japan, while the Miyako and Yaeyama Islands would be ceded to China. The Qing countered with a plan that would return the Ryukyu Kingdom to the Okinawa Islands, assign the Amami Islands to Japan, and annex the Miyako and Yaeyama Islands to China. Ultimately, the negotiations failed. After the First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895), the Qing ceded Taiwan to Japan and lost influence in the region, silencing calls for the restoration of Ryukyu.{{rp|154}}

In the early years of direct Japanese rule, a policy known as the {{nihongo|Old Customs Preservation Policy|旧慣温存政策|Kyūkan Onzon Seisaku}} was implemented, maintaining Ryukyuan land and tax systems, which slowed Okinawa’s modernization.{{rp|156}} After the First Sino-Japanese War, Japan replaced this policy with an assimilation strategy, accelerating Okinawa's Japanization. However, Okinawa's strategic and economic importance declined, particularly after Taiwan became Japan's new southern frontier and sugar-producing center.{{rp|161}}

In the 20th century, Japan undertook major land reforms and prioritized sugar production in Okinawa, though economic development remained far behind mainland Japan.{{rp|164}} Transportation infrastructure also modernized, with new roads, railways, and ferry routes to the Japanese mainland established in the early 1900s.{{rp|182}} During the early Taishō era, Okinawa briefly prospered as sugar prices soared due to World War I.{{rp|187}} However, by the late Taishō and early Shōwa era, the Great Depression struck, causing widespread famine. Many impoverished farmers resorted to eating the toxic cycad plant to survive, in what became known as the “Cycad Hell” ({{nihongo|Sotetsu Jigoku|蘇鉄地獄}}).{{rp|153}} Many Okinawans migrated to mainland Japan or abroad. Between 1923 and 1930, Okinawans accounted for 10% of all Japanese emigrants. Remittances from overseas workers contributed 40% to 65% of the prefecture's annual budget.{{rp|190}}

In the 1930s, Japan increasingly pursued a path of militarism. By the 1940s, Okinawa Prefecture was integrated into the wartime regime. The government enforced standard Japanese language use and replaced traditional Ryukyuan name pronunciations with Japanese ones as part of a broader imperial assimilation policy.{{rp|209}}

In 1943, the Japanese military began seizing land in Okinawa to build airbases. In 1944, the 32nd Army was stationed in Okinawa, requisitioning resources from civilians and initiating evacuations to mainland Japan and Taiwan.{{rp|214}} In August 1944, the evacuation ship Tsushima Maru, carrying about 1,700 evacuees, was sunk by an American submarine, resulting in 1,476 deaths.{{rp|215}} In October that same year, Naha was bombed in the 10-10 air raids, destroying 90% of the city.{{cite web|url=http://www.nahaken-okn.ed.jp/watashi/sougo/4okinawasen/3kusyu.html |title=The 10-10 Air Raid and the War in Naha City |publisher=Naha City Education Institute |language=ja |access-date=2020-08-29 |archive-date=2020-08-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824072342/http://www.nahaken-okn.ed.jp/watashi/sougo/4okinawasen/3kusyu.html |url-status=dead}}

In March 1945, the U.S. military landed in the Ryukyu Islands, initiating the Battle of Okinawa. The battle was notoriously intense and destructive, known as the “Typhoon of Steel” ({{lang|ja|鉄の暴風}}).{{cite book |author=金城正篤, 上原兼善, 秋山勝, 仲地哲夫, 大城将保 |title=沖縄県の百年 (One Hundred Years of Okinawa Prefecture) |year=2005 |publisher=山川出版社 (Yamakawa Publishing) |location=Tokyo |isbn=4-634-27470-1 |language=ja}}{{rp|215}} The U.S. military suffered 12,520 deaths, while Japanese casualties were significantly higher, with 94,136 killed—including 28,228 Okinawan conscripts. Civilian losses were also devastating. Not only were civilians caught in the crossfire, but Japanese troops also executed civilians on suspicion of espionage and forced mass suicides. Approximately 94,000 civilians died in the battle, with total military and civilian deaths reaching around 200,000.{{rp|229}}{{rp|230}}

During World War II, the Allied powers engaged in multiple rounds of discussions regarding the postwar status of the Ryukyu Islands. At the Cairo Conference in 1943, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt proactively raised the issue of Ryukyu’s sovereignty, suggesting that China might administer the islands after the war. However, Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek responded only cautiously, proposing instead a joint occupation and international trusteeship. As a result, the Cairo Declaration made no explicit reference to the Ryukyus, instead stating that territories such as Taiwan and the Pescadores—seized by Japan—should be returned to China. Historians believe Chiang hesitated because he was unsure whether Roosevelt’s offer was sincere or a diplomatic probe, and because the wartime Nationalist government relied heavily on American support and wished to avoid a territorial dispute.

As the Pacific War progressed, the U.S. military increasingly emphasized the strategic importance of the Ryukyus. In 1944, some U.S. officials proposed exclusive control of the islands to serve as a bulwark against Soviet expansion and threats from the Asian mainland. Roosevelt reportedly expressed to Joseph Stalin his support for returning the Ryukyus to China, but no formal agreements emerged from the Cairo, Yalta, or Potsdam meetings. The Potsdam Declaration stated only that Japanese sovereignty would be limited to the islands of Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku, and Hokkaido, while other territories—including the Ryukyus—would be subject to future decisions by the Allied powers.{{cite journal|last=Hou|first=Yi|title=The Post-WWII Disposition of the Ryukyu Issue and the Origin of the Diaoyu Islands Dispute|journal=China's Borderland History and Geography Studies|volume=25|issue=4|date=December 2015|pages=124–132|publisher=Institute of Chinese Borderland Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences|language=zh}}{{cite journal|last1=An|first1=Chengri|last2=Li|first2=Jinbo|title=On the Formation of U.S. Trusteeship Policy Over Okinawa After WWII (Part 1)|journal=Journal of Beihua University (Social Science Edition)|volume=12|issue=6|date=December 2011|pages=61–66|publisher=Beihua University|language=zh}}

After the war, the Nationalist government of China recognized the strategic value of the Ryukyu Islands and proposed a joint trusteeship with the United States for a period of five to ten years. Later proposals included allowing the U.S. to establish bases on some islands, indicating a willingness to compromise and an understanding that the U.S. would not readily transfer sovereignty to China. Chinese domestic opinion was divided: some called for an independent Ryukyuan state, others demanded the full incorporation of the Ryukyus into Chinese territory. Most emphasized the islands’ strategic importance as a buffer zone and argued they should not fall into the hands of another power.

In 1946, the United States Department of State advocated for the return of the Ryukyus to Japan, citing anti-expansion principles and concerns over economic burdens. In contrast, the U.S. military proposed that the islands be designated as a "strategic trust territory," with Okinawa Island declared a "strategic area." Military leaders argued that the high cost of American lives during the Battle of Okinawa justified permanent military governance as compensation for their sacrifice. After internal debate, the plan was formalized in SWNCC 59/1, which proposed placing Okinawa under U.S. military administration rather than returning it to Japan, using trusteeship arrangements to sidestep sovereignty issues. The directives SCAPIN-677 and SCAPIN-841 established the legal and administrative basis for U.S. jurisdiction south of the 29th parallel north, forming the framework for postwar American control.

On April 1, 1945, the U.S. Army and Marine Corps launched an invasion of Okinawa with approximately 185,000 troops. They encountered determined and intense resistance from the Japanese defenders. During the subsequent fighting, approximately one-third of Okinawa's civilian population lost their lives. The dead, of all nationalities, are commemorated at the Cornerstone of Peace.{{Cite web |title=平和の礎（いしじ） |url=https://heiwa-irei-okinawa.jp/facility/heiwanoishiji/ |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=沖縄県営平和祈念公園 |language=ja}}

After the end of World War II, the United States set up the United States Military Government of the Ryukyu Islands, which later became the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands. The United States established numerous military bases on the Ryukyu Islands during its 27-year-long "trusteeship rule".{{Citation |title=Battle of Okinawa |date=2025-04-11 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Okinawa |access-date=2025-04-12 |language=en}}

During the Korean War, B-29 Superfortresses flew bombing missions over Korea from Kadena Air Base on Okinawa. The military buildup on the island during the Cold War increased a division between local inhabitants and the American military. Under the 1952 Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan, United States Forces Japan (USFJ) have maintained a large military presence.

During the mid-1950s, the U.S. seized land from Okinawans to build new bases or expand currently existing ones. According to the Melvin Price Report, by 1955, the military had displaced 250,000 residents.{{Cite web|url=http://ryukyu-okinawa.net/pages/archive/price.html|title=The Melvin Price Report|last=Special Subcommittee of the Armed Services Committee, House of Representatives|date=1955|website=via Ryukyu-Okinawa History and Culture Website|access-date=May 23, 2019|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806025243/http://ryukyu-okinawa.net/pages/archive/price.html|url-status=live}}

Since 1960, the U.S. and Japan have maintained an agreement that allows the U.S. to secretly bring nuclear weapons into Japanese ports.{{cite web |url= http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/japan/okinawa/okinawa.htm |title= Revelations in Newly Released Documents about U.S. Nuclear Weapons and Okinawa Fuel; NHK Documentary |date= May 14, 1997 |first= Robert A. |last= Wampler |website=George Washington University |access-date= February 11, 2018 |archive-date= January 16, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130116025521/http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/japan/okinawa/okinawa.htm |url-status= live }}{{cite web |title= Memorandum, Ambassador Brown to Secretary Rogers, 4/29/69, Subject: NSC Meeting April 30 – Policy Toward Japan: Briefing Memorandum (Secret), with attached |website=George Washington University |page= 1 |url= https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu//japan/okinawa/oki1_a.htm |date= April 30, 1969 |access-date= February 11, 2018 |archive-date= February 13, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180213021557/https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu//japan/okinawa/oki1_a.htm |url-status= live }}{{cite web |title= NSSM 5 – Japan, Table of Contents and Part III: Okinawa Reversion (Secret) |website=George Washington University |page= 22|url= https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu//japan/okinawa/oki3_f.htm|year= 1969|access-date= February 11, 2018|archive-date= August 25, 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170825014344/http://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/japan/okinawa/oki3_f.htm|url-status= live}} The Japanese people tended to oppose the introduction of nuclear arms into Japanese territory{{cite web |title= Memorandum of Conversation, Nixon/Sato, 11/19/69 (Top Secret/Sensitive) |website=George Washington University |page= 2|url= https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu//japan/okinawa/oki5_b.htm|date= November 19, 1969|access-date= February 11, 2018|archive-date= August 25, 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170825011212/http://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/japan/okinawa/oki5_b.htm|url-status= live}} and the Japanese government's assertion of Japan's non-nuclear policy and a statement of the Three Non-Nuclear Principles reflected this popular opposition. Most of the weapons were alleged to be stored in ammunition bunkers at Kadena Air Base.{{Cite web|url=https://apjjf.org/2013/11/1/Jon-Mitchell/3883/article.html|title="Herbicide Stockpile" at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa: 1971 U.S. Army report on Agent Orange {{!}} The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus|last=Journal|first=The Asia Pacific|website=apjjf.org|date=January 7, 2013 |access-date=November 15, 2018|archive-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816141552/https://apjjf.org/2013/11/1/Jon-Mitchell/3883/article.html|url-status=live}} Between 1954 and 1972, 19 different types of nuclear weapons were deployed in Okinawa, but with fewer than around 1,000 warheads at any one time.{{cite journal|last1=Norris|first1=Robert S.|last2=Arkin|first2=William M.|author-link2=William Arkin|last3=Burr|first3=William|author-link3=William Burr|title=Where They Were|journal=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists|date=November 1999|volume=55|issue=6|pages=26–35|doi=10.2968/055006011|url=https://www.archives.gov/declassification/pidb/meetings/where-they-were.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623080403/http://www.archives.gov/declassification/pidb/meetings/where-they-were.pdf|url-status=live|archive-date=June 23, 2013}} In fall 1960, U.S. commandos in Green Light Teams secret training missions carried small nuclear weapons on the east coast of Okinawa Island.Annie Jacobsen, "Surprise, Kill, Vanish: The Secret History of CIA Paramilitary Armies, Operators, and Assassins", (New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2019), p. 102

File:Map of US Military Bases in Okinawa in 1969.jpg in 1969]]

Between 1965 and 1972, Okinawa was a key staging point for United States in its military operations directed towards North Vietnam. Along with Guam, it presented a geographically strategic launch pad for covert bombing missions over Cambodia and Laos.John Morrocco. Rain of Fire. (United States: Boston Publishing Company), pg 14 Anti-Vietnam War sentiment became linked politically to the movement for reversion of Okinawa to Japan. In 1965, the U.S. military bases, earlier viewed as paternal post war protection, were increasingly seen as aggressive. The Vietnam War highlighted the differences between United States and Okinawa but showed a commonality between the islands and mainland Japan.{{cite news|first=Robert|last=Trumbull|newspaper=The New York Times|title=OKINAWA B-52'S ANGER JAPANESE: Bombing of Vietnam From Island Stirs Public Outcry.|date=August 1, 1965|url=http://0-www.proquest.com.mercury.concordia.ca/|access-date=September 27, 2009|archive-date=December 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209143838/http://0-www.proquest.com.mercury.concordia.ca/|url-status=live}}

As controversy grew regarding the alleged placement of nuclear weapons on Okinawa, fears intensified over the escalation of the Vietnam War. Okinawa was perceived by some inside Japan as a potential target for China, should the communist government feel threatened by United States.Mori, Kyozo, Two Ends of a Telescope Japanese and American Views of Okinawa, Japan Quarterly, 15:1 (1968:Jan./Mar.) p.17 American military secrecy blocked any local reporting on what was actually occurring at bases such as Kadena Air Base. As information leaked out, and images of air strikes were published, the local population began to fear the potential for retaliation.

Political leaders such as Makoto Oda, a major figure in the Beheiren movement (Foundation of Citizens for Peace in Vietnam), believed that the return of Okinawa to Japan would lead to the removal of U.S. forces, ending Japan's involvement in Vietnam.Havens, T. R. H. (1987) Fire Across the Sea: The Vietnam War and Japan, 1965–1975. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. Pg 120 In a speech delivered in 1967, Oda was critical of Prime Minister Eisaku Satō's unilateral support of America's war in Vietnam, claiming "Realistically we are all guilty of complicity in the Vietnam War". The Beheiren became a more visible anti-war movement on Okinawa as the American involvement in Vietnam intensified. The movement employed tactics ranging from demonstrations to handing leaflets to soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines directly, warning of the implications for a third World War.Havens, T. R. H. (1987) Fire Across the Sea: The Vietnam War and Japan, 1965–1975. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. Pg 123

The U.S. military bases on Okinawa became a focal point for anti-Vietnam War sentiment. By 1969, over 50,000 American military personnel were stationed on Okinawa.Christopher T. Sanders (2000) America's Overseas Garrisons the Leasehold Empire Oxford University Press PG 164 United States Department of Defense began referring to Okinawa as the "Keystone of the Pacific". This slogan was imprinted on local U.S. military license plates.Havens, T. R. H. (1987) Fire Across the Sea: The Vietnam War and Japan, 1965–1975. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press Pg 88

In 1969, chemicals leaked from the U.S. storage depot at Chibana in central Okinawa, under Operation Red Hat. Evacuations of residents took place over a wide area for two months. Even two years later, government investigators found that Okinawans and the environment near the leak were still suffering because of the depot.{{cite journal|first=Steve|last=Rabson|url=http://www.japanfocus.org/-Steve-Rabson/3884|title=Okinawa's Henoko was a 'Storage Location' for Nuclear Weapons: Published Accounts|journal=The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus|volume=11|issue=1(6)|access-date=January 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213003429/http://japanfocus.org//-Steve-Rabson/3884|archive-date=February 13, 2013}}

On May 15, 1972, the U.S. government returned the islands to Japan following the signing of the 1971 Okinawa Reversion Agreement.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ChGQAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA449 |title=Reversion to Japan of the Ryukyu and Daito Islands, official text |access-date=August 5, 2014 |year=1973 |last1=States |first1=United |archive-date=January 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101093357/https://books.google.com/books?id=ChGQAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA449 |url-status=live }}

File:US military bases in Okinawa.svg

The 1995 kidnaping, beating, and rape of a 12-year-old girl by three U.S. servicemen triggered widespread protests in Okinawa. Reports by the local media of accidents and crimes committed by U.S. servicemen have reduced the local population's support for the U.S. military bases. A strong emotional response has emerged from certain incidents.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-26 |title=US soldier charged in Okinawa for rape of minor |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpwwdyye4vgo |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}

Documents declassified in 1997 proved that both tactical and strategic weapons have been maintained in Okinawa. In 1999 and 2002, the Japan Times and the Okinawa Times reported speculation that not all weapons were removed from Okinawa.{{cite web|url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20020515b9.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606022049/http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20020515b9.html |archive-date=June 6, 2011 |title=Nuclear pact ensured smooth Okinawa reversion |date=May 15, 2002 |work=The Japan Times |first=Eric |last=Johnston }}[https://web.archive.org/web/20070930155511/http://www.okinawatimes.co.jp/edi/19990516.html 疑惑が晴れるのはいつか]{{in lang|ja}}, Okinawa Times, May 16, 1999 On October 25, 2005, after a decade of negotiations, the governments of the U.S. and Japan officially agreed to move Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from its location in the densely populated city of Ginowan to the more northerly and remote Camp Schwab in Nago by building a heliport with a shorter runway, partly on Camp Schwab land and partly running into the sea.{{cite news |date=October 27, 2005 |title=No home where the dugong roam |url=http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=5097132 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060905210944/http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=5097132 |archive-date=September 5, 2006 |access-date=September 7, 2006 |newspaper=The Economist |quote=some of the bloodiest campaigns anywhere in the second world war were fought in Okinawa, and a third of the civilian population died.}} The move is partly an attempt to relieve tensions between the people of Okinawa and the Marine Corps.

Despite Okinawa prefecture constituting only 0.6% of Japan's land surface, in 2006 75% of all USFJ bases were located on Okinawa, occupying 18% of the main island.[http://www.clearing.mod.go.jp/hakusho_data/2006/2006/html/i4262000.html 沖縄に所在する在日米軍施設・区域] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001004730/http://www.clearing.mod.go.jp/hakusho_data/2006/2006/html/i4262000.html |date=October 1, 2007 }}{{in lang|ja}}, Japan Ministry of Defense

In a poll conducted by The Asahi Shimbun in May 2010, 43% of the Okinawan population wanted the complete closure of the U.S. bases, 42% wanted reduction, and 11% wanted to maintain the status quo. Okinawan feelings about the U.S. military are complex.{{Cite web |date=2010-05-23 |title=asahi.com��ī����ʹ�ҡˡ���ŷ�ְ��߼������ˡ���̱������ȿ�С�ī����ʹ����Ĵ�� - ���� |url=http://www.asahi.com/politics/update/0513/SEB201005130037.html |access-date=2025-04-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523062343/http://www.asahi.com/politics/update/0513/SEB201005130037.html |archive-date=May 23, 2010 }}

In early 2008, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice apologized after a series of crimes involving American troops in Japan, including the rape of a young girl of 14 by a Marine on Okinawa. The U.S. military imposed a temporary 24-hour curfew on military personnel and their families to ease the anger of local residents.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/feb/28/japan.usa |title=Rice says sorry for US troop behaviour on Okinawa as crimes shake alliance with Japan |date=February 28, 2008 |first=Justin |last=McCurry |newspaper=The Guardian |location=UK |access-date=December 17, 2016 |archive-date=March 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308040714/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/feb/28/japan.usa |url-status=live }} Some cited statistics that the crime rate of military personnel is consistently less than that of the general Okinawan population.{{cite web |url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20080226zg.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305003905/http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20080226zg.html |archive-date=March 5, 2008 |title=U.S. military crime: SOFA so good?The stats offer some surprises in wake of the latest Okinawa rape claim |first=Michael |last=Hassett |date=February 26, 2008 |work=The Japan Times}} However, some criticized the statistics as unreliable, since violence against women is under-reported.{{cite web |url=http://www.genuinesecurity.org/partners/report/Okinawa.pdf |title=Okinawa: Effects of long-term US Military presence |access-date=October 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726082729/http://www.genuinesecurity.org/partners/report/Okinawa.pdf |archive-date=July 26, 2011 }} Between 1972 and 2009, U.S. servicemen committed 5,634 criminal offenses, including 25 murders, 385 burglaries, 25 arsons, 127 rapes, 306 assaults and 2,827 thefts.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/07/okinawa-japan-military-tension |title=Second battle of Okinawa looms as China's naval ambition grows |date=March 11, 2011 |first=David |last=Hearst |newspaper=The Guardian |location=UK |access-date=December 17, 2016 |archive-date=August 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801003102/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/07/okinawa-japan-military-tension |url-status=live }} Yet, per Marine Corps Installations Pacific data, U.S. service members are convicted of far fewer crimes than local Okinawans.{{cite web|url=http://www.okinawa.usmc.mil/Documents/Ethos.pdf|title=米国海兵隊： 品位と名誉の精神|publisher=Marine Corps Installations Pacific Ethos Data|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223233725/http://www.okinawa.usmc.mil/Documents/Ethos.pdf|archive-date=December 23, 2016 }}

In 2009, a new Japanese government came to power and froze the U.S. forces relocation plan but in April 2010 indicated their interest in resolving the issue by proposing a modified plan.{{cite news |title=Japan moves to settle dispute with U.S. over Okinawa base relocation |first=John |last=Pomfret |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=April 24, 2010 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/23/AR2010042305080.html |access-date=September 30, 2020 |archive-date=October 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029191659/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/23/AR2010042305080.html |url-status=live }} A study done in 2010 found that the prolonged exposure to aircraft noise around the Kadena Air Base and other military bases cause health issues such as a disrupted sleep pattern, high blood pressure, weakening of the immune system in children, and a loss of hearing.{{Cite journal|last=Cox|first=Rupert|date=December 1, 2010|title=The Sound of Freedom: US Military Aircraft Noise in Okinawa, Japan|journal=Anthropology News|language=en|volume=51|issue=9|pages=13–14|doi=10.1111/j.1556-3502.2010.51913.x|issn=1556-3502|url=https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/the-sound-of-freedom-us-military-aircraft-noise-in-okinawa(bd1a3f91-6c6c-46e5-a214-db1378c92156).html|access-date=November 21, 2021|archive-date=March 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311061041/https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/the-sound-of-freedom-us-military-aircraft-noise-in-okinawa(bd1a3f91-6c6c-46e5-a214-db1378c92156).html|url-status=live}}

In 2011, it was reported that the U.S. military—contrary to repeated denials by The Pentagon—had kept tens of thousands of barrels of Agent Orange on the island. The Japanese and American governments have angered some U.S. veterans, who believe they were poisoned by Agent Orange while serving on the island, by characterizing their statements regarding Agent Orange as "dubious", and ignoring their requests for compensation. Reports that more than a third of the barrels developed leaks have led Okinawans to ask for environmental investigations, but {{As of|2012|lc=y}} both Tokyo and Washington refused such action.Jon Mitchell, [http://www.japanfocus.org/-Jon-Mitchell/3838 "Agent Orange on Okinawa – The Smoking Gun: U.S. army report, photographs show 25,000 barrels on island in early '70s"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123192055/http://japanfocus.org/-Jon-Mitchell/3838 |date=January 23, 2013 }}, The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus, Vol 11, Issue 1, No. 6, January 14, 2012. Jon Mitchell has reported concern that the U.S. used American Marines as chemical-agent guinea pigs.Jon Mitchell, [http://www.japanfocus.org/-Jon-Mitchell/3868 "Were U.S marines used as guinea pigs on Okinawa?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213121129/http://japanfocus.org/-Jon-Mitchell/3868 |date=February 13, 2013 }} The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus, Vol 10, Issue 51, No. 2, December 17, 2012.

On September 30, 2018, Denny Tamaki was elected as the next governor of Okinawa prefecture, after a campaign focused on sharply reducing the U.S. military presence on the island.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/opponent-of-us-military-bases-wins-okinawa-gubernatorial-election/2018/09/30/18f13d5a-c36a-11e8-9451-e878f96be19b_story.html?noredirect=on|title=Opponent of U.S. Military bases wins Okinawa gubernatorial election|first=Simon|last=Denyer|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=September 30, 2018|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=February 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217030311/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/opponent-of-us-military-bases-wins-okinawa-gubernatorial-election/2018/09/30/18f13d5a-c36a-11e8-9451-e878f96be19b_story.html?noredirect=on|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Relocation of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma}}

In 2006, some 8,000 U.S. Marines were removed from the island and relocated to Guam.{{cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/id/15356/|publisher=DOD|work=American Forces Press Service|author=Steven Donald Smith|title=Eight Thousand U.S. Marines to Move From Okinawa to Guam|date=April 26, 2006|access-date=August 1, 2014|archive-date=September 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924194813/http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=15356|url-status=live}} The move to Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz was expected to be completed in 2023 but as of 1 January 2025 is still in process. Japan paid for a majority of the cost to construct the new base.{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/usa-japan-okinawa-idUKL2E8FR0D920120427 |title=U.S., Japan unveil revised plan for Okinawa |date=April 27, 2012 |newspaper=Reuters |access-date=April 28, 2012 |archive-date=June 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620150431/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/04/27/usa-japan-okinawa-idUKL2E8FR0D920120427 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.japan-press.co.jp/2009/2644/USF4.html|title=A closer look at U.S. Futenma base's 'relocation' issue|publisher=Japan Press Weekly|date=November 1, 2009|access-date=July 31, 2016|archive-date=November 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113122927/https://www.japan-press.co.jp/2009/2644/USF4.html|url-status=live}} The U.S. still maintains Air Force, Marine, Navy, and Army military installations on the islands. These bases include Kadena Air Base, Camp Foster, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Camp Hansen, Camp Schwab, Torii Station, Camp Kinser, and Camp Gonsalves. The area of 14 U.S. bases are {{convert|233|km2|sqmi|0}}, occupying 18% of the main island. Okinawa hosts about two-thirds of the 50,000 American forces in Japan although the islands account for less than one percent of total lands in Japan.

Suburbs have grown towards and now surround two historic major bases, Futenma and Kadena. A sizable portion of the land used by the U.S. military is Camp Gonsalves in the north of the island.{{Cite news| url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2012/08/19/travel/rumbles-in-the-jungle/#.V53t7COLTZs| title=Rumbles in the jungle| newspaper=The Japan Times Online| date=August 19, 2012| last1=Mitchell| first1=Jon| access-date=July 31, 2016| archive-date=September 10, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910165311/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2012/08/19/travel/rumbles-in-the-jungle/#.V53t7COLTZs| url-status=live}} On December 21, 2016, 10,000 acres of Camp Gonsalves were returned to Japan.{{cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1036252/us-returns-10000-acres-of-okinawan-training-area-to-japan|title=U.S. Returns 10,000 Acres of Okinawan Training Area to Japan|publisher=U.S. Department of Defense|first=Jim|last=Garamone|date=December 21, 2016|access-date=December 22, 2016|archive-date=December 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222192639/https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1036252/us-returns-10000-acres-of-okinawan-training-area-to-japan|url-status=dead}} On June 25, 2018, Okinawa residents held a protest demonstration at sea against scheduled land reclamation work for the relocation of a U.S. military base within Japan's southernmost island prefecture. A protest gathered hundreds of people.{{Cite web|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2018/06/58c834fec085-protest-held-in-okinawa-against-landfill-for-us-base-transfer.html|title=Protest held in Okinawa against landfill for U.S. base transfer|publisher=Kyodo News|date=June 25, 2018|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806013452/https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2018/06/58c834fec085-protest-held-in-okinawa-against-landfill-for-us-base-transfer.html|url-status=live}}

Since the early 2000s, Okinawans have opposed the presence of American troops helipads in the Takae zone of the Yanbaru forest near Higashi and Kunigami.{{cite web |url=http://okinawa-takae.org/index.php/takaes-story/ |title=Takae's Story |access-date=July 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220082950/http://okinawa-takae.org/index.php/takaes-story/ |archive-date=February 20, 2016}} This opposition grew in July 2016 after the construction of six new helipads.{{Cite web|url=http://english.ryukyushimpo.jp/2016/07/17/25465/|title=Tensions between protesters and riot police mount over construction of U.S. Marine Corps helipads in Takae|publisher=Ryukyu Shimpo|date=July 12, 2016|access-date=July 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722150749/http://english.ryukyushimpo.jp/2016/07/17/25465/|archive-date=July 22, 2016}}{{Cite news| url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/07/22/national/politics-diplomacy/central-government-sues-okinawa-futenma-relocation/| title=Okinawa protests erupt as U.S. Helipad construction resumes| newspaper=The Japan Times Online| date=July 22, 2016| last1=Mie| first1=Ayako| access-date=July 31, 2016| archive-date=August 5, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805142651/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/07/22/national/politics-diplomacy/central-government-sues-okinawa-futenma-relocation/| url-status=live}}

{{main|Ryukyu Islands}}

File:Map-okinawa-pref.png

The islands comprising the prefecture are the southern two thirds of the archipelago of the {{nihongo|Ryūkyū Islands|琉球諸島|Ryūkyū-shotō}}. Okinawa's inhabited islands are typically divided into three geographical archipelagos. From northeast to southwest:

• {{nihongo|Okinawa Islands|沖縄諸島|Okinawa-shotō}}
• {{nihongo|Iejima|伊江島|Iejima}}
• {{nihongo|Kume-jima|久米島町|Kumejima-chō}}
• {{nihongo|Okinawa Island|沖縄島|Okinawa-jima}}
• {{nihongo|Kerama Islands|慶良間諸島|Kerama-shotō}}
• {{nihongo|Miyako Islands|宮古列島|Miyako-rettō}}
• {{nihongo|Miyako-jima|宮古島|Miyako-jima}}
• {{nihongo|Yaeyama Islands|八重山列島|Yaeyama-rettō}}
• {{nihongo|Iriomote Island|西表島|Iriomote-jima}}
• {{nihongo|Ishigaki Island|石垣島|Ishigaki-jima}}
• {{nihongo|Yonaguni|与那国島|Yonaguni-jima}}
• {{nihongo|Senkaku Islands|尖閣諸島|Senkaku-shotō}}
• {{nihongo|Daitō Islands|大東諸島|Daitō-shotō}}
• {{nihongo|Minamidaitōjima|南大東島|Minami-Daitō}}
• {{nihongo|Kitadaitōjima|北大東島|Kita-Daitō}}
• {{nihongo|Okidaitōjima|沖大東島|Oki-Daitō}}

Approximately 36% percent of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as natural parks, namely the Iriomote-Ishigaki, Kerama Shotō, and Yambaru National Parks; Okinawa Kaigan and Okinawa Senseki Quasi-National Parks; and Irabu, Kumejima, Tarama, and Tonaki Prefectural Natural Parks.{{cite web |url=https://www.env.go.jp/park/doc/data/natural/naturalpark_4.pdf |script-title=ja:自然公園都道府県別面積総括 |trans-title=General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture |language=ja |publisher=Ministry of the Environment |access-date=June 13, 2019 |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806004612/https://www.env.go.jp/park/doc/data/natural/naturalpark_4.pdf |url-status=live }}

The dugong is an endangered marine mammal related to the manatee.{{cite web|title=Lawsuit Seeks to Halt Construction of U.S. Military Airstrip in Japan That Would Destroy Habitat of Endangered Okinawa Dugongs|url=http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2014/okinawa-dugong-07-31-2014.html|publisher=Center for Biological Diversity|access-date=August 2, 2014|date=July 31, 2014|archive-date=August 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140803070141/http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2014/okinawa-dugong-07-31-2014.html|url-status=live}} Iriomote is home to one of the world's rarest and most endangered cat species, the Iriomote cat. The region is also home to at least one endemic pit viper, Trimeresurus elegans. The islands of Okinawa are surrounded by some of the most abundant coral reefs found in the world.{{cite web |date=September 5, 2013 |title=Establishing World-Class Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring in Okinawa |url=https://www.oist.jp/news-center/press-releases/establishing-world-class-coral-reef-ecosystem-monitoring-okinawa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302155239/https://www.oist.jp/news-center/press-releases/establishing-world-class-coral-reef-ecosystem-monitoring-okinawa |archive-date=March 2, 2016 |access-date=February 20, 2016 |publisher=Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University}}{{cite web |title=Coral Reefs |url=http://en.okinawastory.jp/learn/blue_ocean/coral/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302135347/http://en.okinawastory.jp/learn/blue_ocean/coral/ |archive-date=March 2, 2016 |access-date=February 20, 2016 |publisher=Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau}} The world's largest colony of rare blue coral is found off Ishigaki Island.{{cite iucn|title=Heliopora coerulea|page=e.T133193A3624060|author=Obura, D.|date=2008|access-date=November 11, 2021|author2=Fenner, D.|author3=Hoeksema, B.|author4=Devantier, L.|author5=Sheppard, C.|doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T133193A3624060.en}} The sea turtles return yearly to the southern islands of Okinawa to lay their eggs. The summer months carry warnings to swimmers regarding venomous jellyfish and other dangerous sea creatures.

Okinawa is a major producer of sugar cane, pineapple, papaya, and other tropical fruit, and the Southeast Botanical Gardens represent tropical plant species.

The island is largely composed of coral, and rainwater filtering through that coral has given the island many caves, which played an important role in the Battle of Okinawa. Gyokusendo{{cite web |url=http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7106.html |title=Gyokusendo Cave |publisher=Japan-guide.com |date=May 29, 2013 |access-date=August 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001222651/http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7106.html |archive-date=October 1, 2011 }} is an extensive limestone cave in the southern part of Okinawa's main island.

The island experiences temperatures above {{convert|20|C}} for most of the year. The climate of the islands ranges from humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) in the north, such as Okinawa Island, to tropical rainforest climate (Köppen climate classification Af) in the south such as Iriomote Island. Snowfall is unheard of at sea level. However, on January 24, 2016, sleet was reported in Nago for the first time on record.{{cite news |date=January 25, 2016 |title=沖縄本島で観測史上初のみぞれ 名護 |url=http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASJ1T0352J1SUEHF00F.html |newspaper=The Asahi Shimbun Company |access-date=February 20, 2016 |archive-date=February 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227142117/http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASJ1T0352J1SUEHF00F.html |url-status=live }}

File:Naha Okinawa Japan Okinawa-Prefectural-Government-Headquarters-01.jpg

Due to its unique historical background, Okinawa has a significantly stronger progressive (left-wing) presence compared to most other Japanese prefectures, making it one of the most politically polarized regions in the country. The Okinawa Social Mass Party, a local progressive political party, has played an important role in postwar Okinawan politics.{{cite book |author=今林直樹 |title=沖縄の歴史・政治・社会 (Okinawa's History, Politics, and Society) |year=2016 |publisher=大学教育出版 (University Education Press) |location=Okayama |isbn=978-4-86429-357-0 |language=ja}}{{rp|55–71}}

In 2014, various progressive parties such as the Social Democratic Party, Japanese Communist Party, Democratic Party, and the Okinawa Social Mass Party formed a cross-party electoral alliance with some conservative figures who also opposed the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to the city of Nago. This movement, known as the "All-Okinawa" campaign, achieved electoral victories in the 2014 Okinawa gubernatorial election,{{cite web |url=http://www.zenshoren.or.jp/shisaku/senkyo/141013-01/141013.html |title=No New Base – Toward a Peaceful and Prosperous Okinawa Through "All Okinawa" |publisher=National Federation of Merchant and Industrial Associations |language=ja |access-date=2017-05-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321203244/http://www.zenshoren.or.jp/shisaku/senkyo/141013-01/141013.html |archive-date=2016-03-21 }} the 2016 Okinawa prefectural election,{{cite web |url=https://mainichi.jp/senkyo/articles/20160606/k00/00m/010/100000c |title=Anti-base relocation bloc wins big in Okinawa assembly election |publisher=Mainichi Shimbun |language=ja |access-date=2017-11-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107024331/https://mainichi.jp/senkyo/articles/20160606/k00/00m/010/100000c |archive-date=2017-11-07 }} and others.

Since Japan introduced the Single-member district system in 1996, Okinawa has been divided into four electoral districts for the House of Representatives.{{cite web |url=https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/000240093.pdf |title=Okinawa Prefecture Electoral Districts |publisher=Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications |language=ja |access-date=2020-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829153121/https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/000240093.pdf |archive-date=2020-08-29 }} Among these, Okinawa's 2nd District, which hosts the highest concentration of U.S. military bases, has long been a stronghold for the progressive camp. Kantoku Teruya of the Social Democratic Party held this seat from 2003 onwards. The other three districts have seen fierce competition between conservatives and progressives, with frequent changes in party control.

In the 2014 Japanese general election, all four Okinawan districts elected candidates opposed to the relocation of the Futenma base to Nago. In the 1st District, Seiken Akamine of the Japanese Communist Party won a seat—marking the JCP’s first single-member district victory in Okinawa and its first nationwide in 18 years.{{cite web |url=https://www.pref.okinawa.jp/site/senkan_i/event/syugi26/syugi26.html |title=2014 General Election Results – Okinawa |publisher=Okinawa Prefectural Government |language=ja |access-date=2020-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416091056/https://www.pref.okinawa.jp/site/senkan_i/event/syugi26/syugi26.html |archive-date=2020-04-16 }}

In the 2017 Japanese general election, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) won the seat in the 4th District.{{cite web |url=https://www.pref.okinawa.jp/site/senkan_i/h29syuuinnsenn.html |title=2017 General Election Results – Okinawa |publisher=Okinawa Prefectural Government |language=ja |access-date=2020-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416091048/https://www.pref.okinawa.jp/site/senkan_i/h29syuuinnsenn.html |archive-date=2020-04-16 }} In the 2021 Japanese general election, LDP candidates won in both the 3rd and 4th Districts and also gained proportional representation seats in the 1st and 2nd Districts. The Japanese Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party each retained one seat.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhk.or.jp/senkyo/database/shugiin/2021/47/ |title=2021 General Election Results – Okinawa |publisher=NHK |language=ja |access-date=2021-11-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101075327/https://www.nhk.or.jp/senkyo/database/shugiin/2021/47/ |archive-date=2021-11-01 }}

In the House of Councillors, Okinawa is represented by two seats in a single at-large district. Both are currently held by politicians who oppose the Futenma base relocation.{{cite web |url=https://www.okinawatimes.co.jp/articles/-/54252 |title=Upper House Election: Anti-base candidate Iha wins in 26 municipalities, landslide in Naha |date=July 12, 2016 |publisher=Okinawa Times |language=ja |access-date=2020-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816175755/https://www.okinawatimes.co.jp/articles/-/54252 |archive-date=2020-08-16 }} However, in proportional representation voting, the LDP has consistently received the highest number of votes in Okinawa.{{cite web |url=https://www.okinawatimes.co.jp/articles/-/54253 |title=Proportional Representation: LDP Leads in Okinawa with 160,000 Votes |date=July 12, 2016 |publisher=Okinawa Times |language=ja |access-date=2020-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816175800/https://www.okinawatimes.co.jp/articles/-/54253 |archive-date=2020-08-16 }}

Okinawa has also experienced multiple changes in political leadership throughout its gubernatorial history.{{cite web |url=https://www.pref.okinawa.lg.jp/site/senkan_i/event/tijisen/documents/tijisenjisseki.pdf |title=Historical Record of Okinawa Gubernatorial Elections |publisher=Okinawa Prefecture |language=ja |access-date=2020-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816175756/https://www.pref.okinawa.lg.jp/site/senkan_i/event/tijisen/documents/tijisenjisseki.pdf |archive-date=2020-08-16 }} In 2014, Takeshi Onaga, backed by progressive forces, was elected governor of Okinawa Prefecture.{{cite web |url=https://go2senkyo.com/local/senkyo/6302 |title=2014 Okinawa Gubernatorial Election Candidate Information |publisher=Senkyo Dot Com |language=ja |access-date=2020-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327031518/http://go2senkyo.com/local/senkyo/6302%E3%80%80 |archive-date=2018-03-27 }} After Onaga's death in 2018, another progressive candidate, Denny Tamaki, was elected governor in the September 2018 election.{{cite web |url=http://www.pref.okinawa.jp/site/senkan_i/event/tijisen/documents/tijisennkaihyoulast.pdf |title=Official Results: 2018 Okinawa Gubernatorial Election |publisher=Okinawa Prefecture |language=ja |access-date=2018-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020095056/http://www.pref.okinawa.jp/site/senkan_i/event/tijisen/documents/tijisennkaihyoulast.pdf |archive-date=2018-10-20 }} Tamaki was re-elected in 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20220911/k10013813421000.html |title=Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki Wins Second Term |publisher=NHK |language=ja |access-date=2022-09-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912071910/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20220911/k10013813421000.html |archive-date=2022-09-12 }} However, in recent years, rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait have led to growing unease among Okinawans toward the People’s Republic of China, resulting in a loss of momentum for progressive forces.{{cite web |title=Okinawa Governor Tamaki: "A Disappointing Result" as All-Okinawa Mayor Defeated in Miyakojima |url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20250120-HCOSKQNGSFINVKX4UMTJN5ZAG4/ |publisher=Sankei News |language=ja |date=2025-01-20 |access-date=2025-04-13 }}

The Okinawa Prefectural Assembly consists of 48 members, with the Liberal Democratic Party holding the largest number of seats at 22.{{cite web |url=https://www.pref.okinawa.lg.jp/kensei/gikai/1017039/1029763/1029799.html |title=Assembly Members by Party |publisher=Okinawa Prefectural Assembly |language=ja |access-date=2025-04-14 }}

In terms of administrative jurisdiction, the disputed Senkaku Islands (referred to by China and Taiwan as the Diaoyu Islands) are administered by the city of Ishigaki in Okinawa Prefecture.{{cite web |url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/a_o/c_m1/senkaku/page1w_000015.html |title=Senkaku Islands Data |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan |language=ja |access-date=2017-05-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327031518/http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/a_o/c_m1/senkaku/page1w_000015.html%E3%80%80 |archive-date=2018-03-27 }}

According to a 2015 Okinawa Prefectural Government survey, only 9.3% of Okinawans felt an affinity toward the People’s Republic of China, while 88.1% did not. Similarly, 90.8% of respondents reported a negative impression of China.

Okinawa has long experienced social and cultural frictions with mainland Japan. In 2016, controversy erupted when police officers from Osaka Prefecture assigned to duty at U.S. military bases in Okinawa used the derogatory term "dojin" (meaning "savage" or "native") to insult local protestors.{{cite web |url=https://www.sankei.com/west/news/161021/wst1610210068-n1.html |script-title=ja:巡査部長ら２人を懲戒処分　大阪府警「県民侮辱の意図ないが軽率な発言、社会的影響」 |access-date=2020-08-29 |publisher={{lang|ja|産経ニュース}} |language=ja |archive-date=2020-08-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816175837/https://www.sankei.com/west/news/161021/wst1610210068-n1.html |url-status=live}} According to a 2017 NHK survey, only 19% of Okinawans felt that people from mainland Japan understood Okinawan sentiments, while 79.6% believed they did not. Additionally, 56.9% reported an increase in discriminatory or derogatory remarks against Okinawans over the past five years.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhk.or.jp/bunken/research/yoron/pdf/20170516_1.pdf |script-title=ja:「復帰45年の沖縄」 調査 |access-date=2020-08-29 |publisher={{lang|ja|NHK}} |language=ja |archive-date=2020-08-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808193920/http://www.nhk.or.jp/bunken/research/yoron/pdf/20170516_1.pdf |url-status=live}} On the other hand, instances of discrimination against Amerasians (children of mixed Okinawan and American parentage) have also been reported within Okinawa.{{cite web |url=https://nara-edu.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=repository_action_common_download&item_id=12682&item_no=1&attribute_id=17&file_no=1 |script-title=ja:アメラジアン・スクール・イン・オキナワにおける子どもの位置取り |access-date=2020-08-29 |publisher={{lang|ja|奈良教育大学}} |language=ja |archive-date=2020-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829153146/https://nara-edu.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=repository_action_common_download&item_id=12682&item_no=1&attribute_id=17&file_no=1 |url-status=live}}

Okinawa faces chronic fiscal challenges and relies heavily on subsidies from Japan’s central government. Its fiscal capacity index is only 0.29—significantly below the national average.{{cite web |url=https://www.pref.okinawa.jp/site/somu/zaisei/kikaku/documents/h26zaiseinoaramashi.pdf |title=Overview of Okinawa Prefecture's Finances |publisher=Okinawa Prefecture |language=ja |access-date=2020-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816175854/https://www.pref.okinawa.jp/site/somu/zaisei/kikaku/documents/h26zaiseinoaramashi.pdf |archive-date=2020-08-16 }}

File:US military bases in Okinawa.svg

Although some land used by U.S. military bases has been returned to Japan since Okinawa reverted to Japanese control,{{rp|595}} a significant portion remains under American jurisdiction. While Okinawa comprises only 0.6% of Japan’s land area, it hosts approximately 74% of all U.S. military facilities in the country.{{cite web |url=https://www.pref.okinawa.jp/site/kodomo/sugata/begunkichi.html |title=U.S. Military Bases in Okinawa |publisher=Okinawa Prefecture |language=ja |access-date=2020-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816175900/https://www.pref.okinawa.jp/site/kodomo/sugata/begunkichi.html |archive-date=2020-08-16 }} The 33 American bases in Okinawa occupy around 10% of the prefecture's land—up to 18% on Okinawa Island.{{cite web |url=https://www.pref.okinawa.jp/site/chijiko/kichitai/documents/02kitinogaikyou01soukatu.pdf |title=Overview of Military Installations |publisher=Okinawa Prefecture |language=ja |access-date=2020-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816175904/https://www.pref.okinawa.jp/site/chijiko/kichitai/documents/02kitinogaikyou01soukatu.pdf |archive-date=2020-08-16 }} Approximately 47,300 U.S. military personnel and their families reside in the prefecture.{{cite web |url=https://www.pref.okinawa.jp/site/chijiko/kichitai/syogai/documents/031-1soukastu.pdf |title=Overview of U.S. Military Facilities |publisher=Okinawa Prefecture |language=ja |access-date=2020-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829153151/https://www.pref.okinawa.jp/site/chijiko/kichitai/syogai/documents/031-1soukastu.pdf |archive-date=2020-08-29 }}

Among the many military issues, the relocation of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma has been the most contentious. Due to its proximity to residential areas and repeated accidents, Futenma has been labeled one of the most dangerous military bases in the world. The prefectural government has long called for its relocation outside of Okinawa.{{cite web |url=https://www.pref.okinawa.jp/site/chijiko/kichitai/6980.html |title=Overview of Futenma Base |publisher=Okinawa Prefecture |language=ja |access-date=2020-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829153152/https://www.pref.okinawa.jp/site/chijiko/kichitai/6980.html |archive-date=2020-08-29 }} In 2010, Japan and the U.S. agreed to relocate the base to Camp Schwab in Nago,{{cite web |url=https://www.mod.go.jp/j/approach/zaibeigun/frf/index.html |title=Replacement Facilities for Futenma |publisher=Japan Ministry of Defense |language=ja |access-date=2020-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513205324/https://www.mod.go.jp/j/approach/zaibeigun/frf/index.html |archive-date=2020-05-13 }} sparking widespread protests.

Another key issue is crime involving U.S. military personnel. Between the 1972 reversion and 2015, 5,896 criminal cases involving U.S. forces were reported in Okinawa.{{cite web |url=https://www.pref.okinawa.lg.jp/site/chijiko/kichitai/documents/h28toukei14.pdf |title=Crime Statistics Involving U.S. Military |publisher=Okinawa Prefecture |language=ja |access-date=2020-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816175925/https://www.pref.okinawa.lg.jp/site/chijiko/kichitai/documents/h28toukei14.pdf |archive-date=2020-08-16 }} In 2016, a high-profile rape and murder case involving a U.S. military contractor in Uruma triggered mass protests.{{cite web |url=https://www.okinawatimes.co.jp/articles/-/31633 |title=Mass Rally Held Over U.S. Military Crime in Okinawa |date=May 22, 2016 |publisher=Okinawa Times |language=ja |access-date=2020-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816175939/https://www.okinawatimes.co.jp/articles/-/31633 |archive-date=2020-08-16 }}

On the other hand, U.S. bases are Okinawa's second-largest source of employment.{{cite web |url=https://www.japan.marines.mil/Economy/ |title=Economic Impact of U.S. Military Presence in Okinawa |publisher=U.S. Marine Corps Japan |language=ja |access-date=2020-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829153157/https://www.japan.marines.mil/Economy/ |archive-date=2020-08-29 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/publicpolicystudies/12/0/12_128/_pdf/-char/ja |title=Economic Effects of U.S. Military Labor in Okinawa |publisher=Public Policy Studies |language=ja |access-date=2020-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829153157/https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/publicpolicystudies/12/0/12_128/_pdf/-char/ja |archive-date=2020-08-29 }}

According to a 2017 NHK survey, 25.7% of Okinawans wanted the complete removal of U.S. military bases, while 50.6% preferred reducing their presence to levels comparable to mainland Japan. Only 26.5% supported relocating Futenma to Nago, while 62.6% were opposed. According to a 2015 prefectural survey, 42.2% of Okinawans reported no affinity toward the U.S., while 55.4% did.

On February 24, 2019, a prefectural referendum was held on land reclamation in Henoko for the new U.S. base. With a turnout of 52.48%, 71.74% opposed the project, 18.99% supported it, and 8.70% expressed no clear opinion.{{cite web |url=https://www.pref.okinawa.jp/site/chijiko/kentohyo/documents/touhyoukekkasokuhou.pdf |title=Referendum Results on Henoko Land Reclamation |publisher=Okinawa Prefecture |language=ja |access-date=2019-02-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225223915/https://www.pref.okinawa.jp/site/chijiko/kentohyo/documents/touhyoukekkasokuhou.pdf |archive-date=2019-02-25 }}

The Ryukyu Kingdom was incorporated into Japan in 1879 as part of the Meiji government's centralization efforts. King Shō Tai was relocated to Tokyo and granted noble status. Although some Ryukyuans expressed opposition and sought support from Qing China, these actions remained limited and did not alter Japan’s effective control. This episode is commonly referred to as the Ryukyu Dispute. Following Japan’s victory in the First Sino-Japanese War, Qing China was no longer in a position to intervene. Later efforts by Ryukyuan nobility to seek greater autonomy also failed to gain broad support.

After World War II, Okinawa came under U.S. administration. Although some alternative governance ideas were discussed, no lasting movements emerged. In 1972, Okinawa was returned to Japanese administration under the Okinawa Reversion Agreement, a status that remains internationally recognized.

In the present day, while concerns regarding regional identity and the U.S. military presence remain topics of discussion, public support for full independence is very limited. A 2022 Okinawa Times poll found that only 3% of respondents favored independence, while the majority preferred either greater local autonomy or maintaining the current arrangement.

In addition to traditional forms of activism, digital platforms have increasingly become venues for discourse on Okinawa. Investigations reported by sources such as the Nikkei and The Daily Telegraph have raised concerns about social media activity linked to foreign actors promoting Ryukyuan independence narratives.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-03 |title=「沖縄独立」煽る偽投稿拡散 背後に約200の中国工作アカウント |url=https://www.nikkei.com/telling/DGXZTS00012030S4A900C2000000/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=日本経済新聞 |language=ja}}{{Cite news |last=Ryall |first=Julian |date=2025-01-25 |title=China infiltrating Japan in preparation for Taiwan invasion |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/01/25/china-infiltrating-japan-in-preparation-for-taiwan-invasion/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}} A 2024 cybersecurity report identified approximately 200 accounts associated with Chinese-linked entities posting political content about Okinawa on platforms such as TikTok. Some of this material reportedly included misrepresented or unrelated footage, raising concerns about the impact of online information on public discourse.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-27 |title=China seeks to divide Okinawa: report - Taipei Times |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2025/01/27/2003830897 |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=www.taipeitimes.com}}{{Cite web |title=China’s ‘Malinformation’ Comes for Okinawa |url=https://thediplomat.com/2025/03/chinas-malinformation-comes-for-okinawa/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}

Okinawa maintains a distinct cultural and linguistic heritage, and local political issues continue to be actively debated within Japan’s democratic framework.

{{See also|List of cities in Okinawa Prefecture by population}}

File:Map of Okinawa Prefecture Ja.svg

Eleven cities are located within the Okinawa Prefecture:

These are the towns and villages in each district:

{{main|List of mergers in Okinawa Prefecture}}

File:Okinawa prefecture population pyramid in 2020.svg

The indigenous Ryukyuans make up the majority of Okinawa Prefecture's population and are also the main ethnic group of the Amami Islands to the north. Large Okinawan diaspora communities persist in places such as South America{{Cite web|date=August 18, 2015|translator=Mina Otsuka |author= Masayuki Fukasawa|title=Immigration—Missing Link in Japanese History: Why Are There So Many Okinawan Immigrants? – Part 1|url=http://www.discovernikkei.org/en/journal/2015/8/18/okinawan-1/|access-date=October 12, 2020|website=Discover Nikkei|language=en|archive-date=January 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118165953/http://www.discovernikkei.org/en/journal/2015/8/18/okinawan-1/|url-status=live}} and Hawaii.{{Cite web|title=Center for Okinawan Studies|url=https://manoa.hawaii.edu/okinawa/wordpress/?page_id=78|access-date=October 12, 2020|archive-date=January 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101095035/http://manoa.hawaii.edu/okinawa/wordpress/?page_id=78|url-status=live}} With the introduction of American military bases, there are an increasing number of half-American children in Okinawa, including prefecture governor Denny Tamaki.{{Cite news|last=Rich|first=Motoko|date=September 25, 2018|title=A Marine's Son Takes On U.S. Military Bases in Okinawa|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/25/world/asia/okinawa-governor-election.html|access-date=September 28, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=December 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207122625/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/25/world/asia/okinawa-governor-election.html|url-status=live}} The prefecture also has a sizable minority of Yamato people from mainland Japan; exact population numbers are difficult to establish, as the Japanese government does not officially recognize Ryukyuans as a distinct ethnic group from Yamatos.

The overall ethnic identity of Okinawa residents is rather split. According to a telephone poll conducted by Lim John Chuan-tiong (林泉忠), an associate professor with the University of the Ryukyus, 40.6% of respondents identified as "{{Nihongo2|沖縄人}} (Okinawan)", 21.3% identified as "{{Nihongo2|日本人}} (Japanese)" and 36.5% identified as both.{{Cite web |date=December 21, 2023 |title=Identity Survey of Okinawan Residents |url=http://questionnaire.blog16.fc2.com/blog-entry-416.html |access-date=May 25, 2023 |website=FC2 |archive-date=July 18, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070718071546/http://questionnaire.blog16.fc2.com/blog-entry-416.html |url-status=dead }}{{Self-published inline|date=May 2023}}

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Per Japanese census data,{{Cite web |url=http://www.citypopulation.de/Japan-Okinawa.html |title=Okinawa 1995–2020 population statistics |access-date=September 30, 2020 |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806033605/http://www.citypopulation.de/Japan-Okinawa.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.demographia.com/db-japanpref.htm |title=Okinawa 1920–2000 population statistics |access-date=September 30, 2020 |archive-date=April 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170429232102/http://www.demographia.com/db-japanpref.htm |url-status=live }} Okinawa prefecture has had continuous positive population growth since 1960.

{{Historical populations

| 1873 | 166,789

| 1920 | 572,000

| 1930 | 578,000

| 1940 | 575,000

| 1950 | 915,000

| 1960 | 883,000

| 1970 | 945,000

| 1980 | 1,107,000

| 1990 | 1,222,000

| 2000 | 1,318,220

| 2010 | 1,392,818

| 2020 | 1,457,162

|align = none

| footnote =

}}

There remain six Ryukyuan languages which, although related, are incomprehensible to speakers of Japanese. One of the Ryukyuan languages is spoken in Kagoshima Prefecture, rather than in Okinawa Prefecture. These languages are in decline as the younger generation of Okinawans uses Standard Japanese. Mainland Japanese and some Okinawans generally perceive the Ryukyuan languages as "dialects". Standard Japanese is almost always used in formal situations. In informal situations, de facto everyday language among Okinawans under age 60 is Okinawa-accented mainland Japanese ("Okinawan Japanese"), which is often mistaken by non-Okinawans as the Okinawan language proper. The actual traditional Okinawan language is still used in traditional cultural activities, such as folk music and folk dance. There is a radio-news program in the language as well.

[http://www.okinawabbtv.com/news/h_news.htm おきなわBBtv★沖縄の方言ニュース★沖縄の「今」を沖縄の「言葉」で！ラジオ沖縄で好評放送中の「方言ニュース」をブロードバンドでお届けします。] {{webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140102192753/http://www.okinawabbtv.com/news/h_news.htm |date= January 2, 2014 }}. Okinawabbtv.com. Retrieved on August 16, 2013.

Okinawan culture retains strong influences from its historical trading partners. Among these, Kyushu has maintained the closest economic and cultural ties with Okinawa from ancient times to the present, and the two regions share many cultural traits. Elements of Okinawan culture can be found throughout Kyushu, and vice versa. For instance, Okinawan musical scales appear in Kyushu’s folk songs, and there are notable similarities in cuisine and language. Kyushu is also home to a traditional instrument called the gottan(ゴッタン), which closely resembles the Okinawan sanshin(三線).{{Cite web |title=Kyushu & Okinawa {{!}} EU-Japan |url=https://www.eu-japan.eu/eubusinessinjapan/about-japan/regions-prefectures/kyushu-okinawa |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.eu-japan.eu}}{{Cite web |title=Kyushu & Okinawa {{!}} Japan Experience - Japan Rail Pass |url=https://www.japan-experience.com/plan-your-trip/to-know/traveling-japan/kyushu-okinawa |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.japan-experience.com |language=en}}

Furthermore, the customs of the Okinawan islands show strong influences from China, Thailand, and Austronesian-speaking regions.{{Cite journal |last1=Nakajima |first1=Etsuko |last2=Shiota |first2=Junichi |last3=Kawamura |first3=Mitsuru |date=1999 |title=Motor Aphasia in a Polylingual Japanese Male. |url=https://doi.org/10.5112/jjlp.40.209 |journal=The Japan Journal of Logopedics and Phoniatrics |volume=40 |issue=3 |pages=209–216 |doi=10.5112/jjlp.40.209 |issn=0030-2813}}

One of the most famous cultural traditions of Okinawa is undoubtedly karate. Karate is a martial art that originated when Chinese kung fu was introduced to the Ryukyu Kingdom and then developed independently within the islands before being brought to mainland Japan. Today, karate is practiced around the world in various styles, including Shotokan, Goju-ryu, Shito-ryu, and Uechi-ryu.{{Cite web |title=沖縄空手の紹介 : 沖縄空手―空手発祥の地 沖縄― : 沖縄政策 : 内閣府 |url=https://www8.cao.go.jp/okinawa/okinawakarate/shokai/karate-shokai.html |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=内閣府ホームページ |language=ja}} File:OkinawaPottery.jpg pots]]

A cultural feature of the Okinawans is the forming of moais. A {{Nihongo3|||moai}} is a community social gathering and groups that come together to provide financial and emotional support through emotional bonding, advice giving, and social funding. This provides a sense of security for the community members and as mentioned in the Blue Zone studies, may have been a contributing factor to the longevity of its people.{{cite web|title=Okinawa's Longevity Lessons|url=https://www.bluezones.com/2014/03/okinawas-longevity-lessons/|website=Blue Zones|publisher=Admin|access-date=September 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001104107/https://www.bluezones.com/2014/03/okinawas-longevity-lessons/|archive-date=October 1, 2015}} However, in recent decades Okinawans' life expectancy has fallen significantly (also bringing into question the general validity of the 'Blue Zones' denominaton), which often has been blamed on cultural influence from the rest of Japan, as well as foreign influences on Okinawans' lifestyle.{{cite web|title=Japan: What's behind Okinawans' falling life expectancy?|url=https://www.dw.com/en/japan-whats-behind-okinawans-falling-life-expectancy/a-62088176|website=DW|access-date=April 16, 2024}}

Two Okinawan writers have received the Akutagawa Prize: Eiki Matayoshi in 1995 for {{Nihongo|The Pig's Retribution|豚の報い|Buta no mukui}} and Shun Medoruma in 1997 for A Drop of Water (Suiteki). The prize was also won by Okinawans in 1967 by Tatsuhiro Oshiro for Cocktail Party ({{Nihongo3|||Kakuteru Pāti}}) and in 1971 by Mineo Higashi for Okinawan Boy ({{Nihongo3|||Okinawa no Shōnen}}).{{cite news|url=http://www.okinawatimes.co.jp/summit/english/2000/20000721_6.html |title=Okinawa Writers Excel in Literature|date=July 21, 2000|work=The Okinawa Times|publisher=Okinawa Times|access-date=September 3, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20000823030320/http://www.okinawatimes.co.jp/summit/english/2000/20000721_6.html |archive-date = August 23, 2000}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bunshun.co.jp/award/akutagawa/list1.htm|script-title=ja:芥川賞受賞者一覧|year=2009|publisher=Bungeishunju Ltd.|language=ja|access-date=September 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213000347/http://www.bunshun.co.jp/award/akutagawa/list1.htm|archive-date=February 13, 2008}}

A traditional craft, the fabric named bingata, is made in workshops on the main island and elsewhere.

{{main|Okinawan music|Ryukyuan music}}

File:Eisa, a traditional Okinawan dance.jpg, Okinawa]]

The music of the prefecture contains native and imported influences in both koten (classical) and min'yō (folk) styles. Okinawan instruments include the sanshin—a three-stringed banjo-like instrument, closely related to the Chinese sanxian, and ancestor of the Japanese shamisen. Its body is often bound with snakeskin (from pythons, imported from elsewhere in Asia, rather than from Okinawa's venomous habu, which are too small for this purpose). Okinawan musical cultures integrate dance with music, such as in eisa, a traditional drumming dance.{{Cite journal|last=Trimillos|first=Ricardo D.|date=2009|title=Reviewed Work: Drumming Out a Message: Eisa and the Okinawan Diaspora Yoshitaka Terada |journal=Asian Music|volume=40|issue=2|pages=161–165|doi=10.1353/amu.0.0035|jstor=25652439|s2cid=191601292|issn=0044-9202}}

{{main|Ryukyuan religion}}

Okinawan people have inherited a traditional religious belief system known as Ryukyuan Shinto, which is similar to but distinct from modern Japanese Shinto. This indigenous belief system is animistic in nature, characterized by ancestor worship and a deep respect for the relationships between the living, the dead, and the gods or spirits of the natural world.{{Cite web|url=http://sitereports.nabunken.go.jp/15945|title=陶磁器から古の神事（祭祀・儀式）を考える|last=Okinawa Prefectural reserve cultural assets center|date=2006|website=Comprehensive Database of Archaeological Site Reports in Japan|access-date=September 2, 2016|archive-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728031104/https://sitereports.nabunken.go.jp/en/15945|url-status=live}}

Shamanic practitioners, known as Yuta, continue to play an active role in Okinawan society. They perform ritual prayers, divination, spiritual consultations, and even communicate with the spirits of the deceased. For many people, yuta serve as important spiritual guides who offer advice and solutions to both supernatural and everyday life problems.{{Cite web |title=なぜ沖縄にはシャーマンが多く存在するのか？ユタとノロについて {{!}} 舞の道 観音舞 |url=https://mainomichi.com/mblog/okinawa-sherman/#:~:text=%E6%B2%96%E7%B8%84%E3%81%AE%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A3%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%B3%E3%80%8C%E3%83%A6%E3%82%BF%E3%80%8D,%E3%81%A8%E8%80%83%E3%81%88%E3%82%89%E3%82%8C%E3%81%A6%E3%81%84%E3%81%BE%E3%81%99%E3%80%82 |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=舞の道 観音舞 |language=ja}}

Throughout Okinawa, there are sacred sites known as utaki, where rituals and ceremonies are performed. Ryukyuan beliefs preserve many elements of ancient Japanese spirituality—such as those from the Jōmon and Yayoi periods—which have largely disappeared on the Japanese mainland. As such, they are considered important resources in comparative mythology and religious studies.{{Cite web |last=OKINAWA 41 |date=2019-06-26 |title=沖縄古来の琉球神道について - OKINAWA41 |url=https://www.okinawa41.go.jp/reports/22572 |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.okinawa41.go.jp |language=ja}}{{Cite web |title=琉球神話との比較とは何？ わかりやすく解説 Weblio辞書 |url=https://www.weblio.jp/content/%E7%90%89%E7%90%83%E7%A5%9E%E8%A9%B1%E3%81%A8%E3%81%AE%E6%AF%94%E8%BC%83 |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.weblio.jp}}

{{See also|Okinawan cuisine}}

File:沖縄酒場SABANI Okinawa-sakaba SABANI 沖縄そば Okinawa Soba.jpg]]

The Okinawan diet consists of low-fat, low-salt foods, such as whole fruits and vegetables, legumes, tofu, and seaweed. Okinawans are particularly well known for consuming purple potatoes, also known as Okinawan sweet potatoes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.downtoearth.org/health/nutrition/okinawan-sweet-potato-purple-powerhouse-nutrition|title=The Okinawan Sweet Potato: A Purple Powerhouse of Nutrition|last=Earth|first=Down to|date=November 11, 2011|website=Down to Earth Organic and Natural|language=en|access-date=October 7, 2019|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806033443/https://www.downtoearth.org/health/nutrition/okinawan-sweet-potato-purple-powerhouse-nutrition|url-status=live}} Okinawans used to be known for their longevity compared to the rest of Japan and the world in general. This particular island is a so-called Blue Zone, an area where people are purported to live longer than most others elsewhere in the world. Possible explanations for this were diet, low-stress lifestyle, caring community, activity, and spirituality of the inhabitants of the island.{{cite book|author=Santrock, John W. A|title= Topical Approach to Life-Span Development|url=https://archive.org/details/topicalapproacht00john_0|url-access=registration|edition=4|location=New York|publisher= McGraw-Hill|year= 2002}}{{page needed|date=August 2014}}

A traditional Okinawan product that owes its existence to Okinawa's trading history is awamori—an Okinawan distilled spirit made from indica rice imported from Thailand.

File:Naha Shuri Castle20s5s3200.jpg in Naha]]

Despite widespread destruction during World War II, there are many remains of a unique type of castle or fortress known as gusuku; the most significant are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List (Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu).{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/972/ |title=Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu |publisher=UNESCO |access-date=May 29, 2012 |archive-date=May 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513102456/http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/972 |url-status=live }} In addition, twenty-three Ryukyuan architectural complexes and forty historic sites have been designated for protection by the national government.{{cite web |url=https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/index_pc.asp |title=Database of National Cultural Properties: 国宝・重要文化財 (建造物): 沖縄県 |language=ja |publisher=Agency for Cultural Affairs |access-date=June 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722215103/https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/index_pc.asp |archive-date=July 22, 2019 }} Shuri Castle in Naha is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

File:Nakamura House Kitanakagusuku01n3104.jpg

File:Tomori Stone Lion 202006 01.jpg]]

Whereas most homes in Japan are made from wood and allow free-flow of air to combat humidity, typical modern homes in Okinawa are made from concrete with barred windows to protect from flying plant debris and to withstand regular typhoons. Roofs are designed with strong winds in mind, in which each tile is cemented on and not merely layered as seen with many homes in Japan.{{citation needed|date=August 2014}} The Nakamura House ({{ill|中村家住宅 (沖縄県)|ja|vertical-align=sup}}) is an original 18th century farmhouse in Kitanakagusuki. Many roofs also display a lion-dog statue, called a shisa, which is said to protect the home from danger. Roofs are typically red in color and are inspired by Chinese design.{{Cite web|title=The Chinese and Japanese Influence In Ryukyuan Architecture – Okinawa Prefecture|url=https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/the-chinese-and-japanese-influence-in-ryukyuan-architecture/ZwLild7YMwcxIg|access-date=July 21, 2021|website=Google Arts & Culture|language=en|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721185501/https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/the-chinese-and-japanese-influence-in-ryukyuan-architecture/ZwLild7YMwcxIg|url-status=live}}

The public schools in Okinawa are overseen by the Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education. The agency directly operates several public high schools{{cite web|url=http://www-edu.pref.okinawa.jp/somu/gakkoichiran/ko.html|title=沖縄県内の高等学校|publisher=Okinawa Prefectural Board Of Education|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121141423/http://www-edu.pref.okinawa.jp/somu/gakkoichiran/ko.html|archive-date=January 21, 2013}} including Okinawa Shogaku High School. The U.S. Department of Defense Dependents Schools operates 13 schools total in Okinawa. Seven of these schools are located on Kadena Air Base.

Okinawa has many types of private schools. Some of them are cram schools, also known as juku. Others, such as Nova, solely teach language. There are 10 colleges/universities in Okinawa, including the University of the Ryukyus, the only national university in the prefecture, and the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, a new international research institute. Okinawa's American military bases also host the Asian Division of the University of Maryland University College.

{{Further|List of junior high schools in Okinawa Prefecture}}

{{Main|Okinawan martial arts}}

Martial arts, such as tegumi and Okinawan kobudō originated among the indigenous people of Okinawa Island. Due to its central location, Okinawa was influenced by various cultures including Japan, China and Southeast Asia in its martial arts culture.

File:Karate ShuriCastle.jpg at Shuri Castle, {{circa|1938}}]]

Karate originated in the Ryukyu Kingdom, under Chinese influence. Over time, it developed into several styles and sub-styles. On Okinawa, the three main styles are considered to be Shōrin-ryū, Gōjū-ryū and Uechi-ryū. Internationally, the various styles and sub-styles include Matsubayashi-ryū, Wadō-ryū, Isshin-ryū, Shōrinkan, Shotokan, Shitō-ryū, Shōrinjiryū Kenkōkan, Shorinjiryu Koshinkai, and Shōrinji-ryū.

Following Okinawa's occupation, karate spread to the United States and the rest of the world. It is now popular across the world, and has since been included in the Olympic Games.{{Cite web|url=https://thebka.co.uk/a-brief-history-of-karate/|title=A Brief History of Karate | British Karate Association|work=British Karate Association | The UK's Multi–Style Karate Association |date=October 22, 2019 }}{{Cite web |date=August 3, 2022 |title=Motorsport, cricket and karate among sports on shortlist for Los Angeles 2028 |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1126540/cricket-los-angeles-2028 |access-date=September 16, 2023 |website=www.insidethegames.biz}}{{Cite web |date=March 2, 2009 |title=History of Okinawan Karate |url=http://www.wonder-okinawa.jp/023/eng/001/001/index.html |access-date=September 16, 2023 |archive-date=March 2, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302085743/http://www.wonder-okinawa.jp/023/eng/001/001/index.html |url-status=bot: unknown }}

FC Ryukyu is a professional football team based on Okinawa. Since 2014 they have competed in the second or third tier in the national league system.

File:沖縄アリーナ.jpg, the home arena of the B.League team Ryukyu Golden Kings]]

The Ryukyu Golden Kings are a professional basketball team that compete in the B.League, the top-tier professional basketball league of Japan. They are successful, having won the national title five times (most recently in 2023).

The Okinawa Arena has hosted the Japanese men's basketball team for various 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers. It was also one of five venues to host the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, the other four were in the Philippines and Indonesia.{{cite web |date=January 20, 2017 |title=2023年バスケW杯、予選ラウンド開催地に沖縄市が名乗り 1万人アリーナ評価 |trans-title=Okinawa City's 10,000 capacity arena will be evaluated as a potential venue for the preliminary round of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. |url=http://www.okinawatimes.co.jp/articles/-/80586 |access-date=October 18, 2017 |work=Okinawa Times}}

Harii (ハーリー) is a traditional rowing sport practiced mainly in Kyushu and Okinawa, Japan.

It is typically held during events such as the Kaijin-sai (海神祭) around the 4th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar (ユッカヌヒー), or near the lunar Obon season.

The sport features a boat race in which dozens of men board a harii boat and row competitively; the team that reaches the finish line first is declared the winner.{{Cite web |last=beethoven |date=2023-06-14 |title=沖縄ハーリー徹底解説！ 各地の開催スケジュールも紹介 - OKINAWA41 |url=https://www.okinawa41.go.jp/reports/20230614 |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=www.okinawa41.go.jp |language=ja}}

Various harii races are held throughout Okinawa, with the most prominent being the Naha Harii in the city of Naha.{{Cite web |date=2018-06-26 |title=那覇ハーリー {{!}} 那覇市観光資源データベース |url=https://www.naha-contentsdb.jp/spot/603 |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=那覇市観光情報 |language=ja}}

• Ryukyu Corazon{{cite web |url=http://www.ryukyu-corazon.com/ |title=Ryukyu Corazon |publisher=Ryukyu Corazon |access-date=August 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218130153/http://www.ryukyu-corazon.com/ |archive-date=December 18, 2010 }} (Naha)

In 2019, BASE Okinawa Baseball Club attempted forming the first-ever professional baseball team on Okinawa, the Ryukyu Blue Oceans. The team was expected to be fully organized by January 2020 with a view to joining the Nippon Professional Baseball league.{{Cite web|url=http://english.ryukyushimpo.jp/2019/07/24/30779/|title=Ryukyu Blue Oceans: Okinawa's first-ever pro baseball team|website=Ryukyu Shimpo – Okinawa, Japanese newspaper, local news|language=en-US|access-date=July 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725075655/http://english.ryukyushimpo.jp/2019/07/24/30779/|archive-date=July 25, 2019}}

However, complications arising from the COVID-19 pandemic compounded with allegations of financial mismanagement – including reports of unpaid wages to players – resulted in the project being put on hold in November of 2022. An exodus of players and staff followed, resulting in management company BASE officially filing for bankruptcy on April 6th, 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/entry-1690836.html|title=琉球ブルーオーシャンズ自己破産 沖縄初のプロ野球団 コロナで試合できず|date=April 7, 2023|website=琉球新報デジタル}}

Despite the lack of a local team, various professional baseball teams hold winter training camps in Okinawa as it is the warmest prefecture of Japan, with no snow and higher average temperatures than other prefectures. In 2025, ten teams held such camps across the prefecture, including two teams from the KBO League.[https://www.okinawatraveler.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/okinawa_guide_250129.pdf 2025 Winter Camp Guide (Japanese)]

• Yomiuri Giants
• Hanshin Tigers
• Yokohama DeNA BayStars
• Hiroshima Toyo Carp
• Tokyo Yakult Swallows
• Chunichi Dragons
• Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
• Chiba Lotte Marines
• Samsung Lions (Korea)
• Doosan Bears (Korea)

There are numerous golf courses in the prefecture, and there was formerly a professional tournament called the Okinawa Open.

• Aguni Airport
• Hateruma Airport
• Iejima Airport
• Kerama Airport
• Kitadaito Airport
• Kumejima Airport
• Minami-Daito Airport
• Miyako Airport
• Naha Airport
• New Ishigaki Airport
• Shimojishima Airport
• Tarama Airport
• Yonaguni Airport

• {{jct|country=JPN|Exp|E58}}
• {{jct|country=JPN|Exp|E58|dab1=Airport}}
• {{jct|country=JPN|Route|58}}
• {{jct|country=JPN|Route|329}}
• {{jct|country=JPN|Route|330}}
• {{jct|country=JPN|Route|331}}
• {{jct|country=JPN|Route|332}}
• {{jct|country=JPN|Route|390}}
• {{jct|country=JPN|Route|449}}
• {{jct|country=JPN|Route|505}}
• {{jct|country=JPN|Route|507}}

{{See also|Rail transport in Okinawa}}

• Okinawa Urban Monorail

The major ports of Okinawa include:

• Hirara Port[http://www.dc.ogb.go.jp/hirarakou/ 平良港湾事務所] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060526002749/http://www.dc.ogb.go.jp/hirarakou/ |date=May 26, 2006 }}. Dc.ogb.go.jp. Retrieved on August 16, 2013.
• Port of Ishigaki{{cite web|url=http://www.city.ishigaki.okinawa.jp/140000/140400/index.htm|title=石垣市建設部港湾課|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115170801/http://www.city.ishigaki.okinawa.jp/140000/140400/index.htm|archive-date=January 15, 2013}}
• Port of Kinwan{{in lang|ja}} [http://www.pref.okinawa.jp/kowan/kinwan.html 金武湾港] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052641/http://www.pref.okinawa.jp/kowan/kinwan.html |date=March 4, 2016 }}. Pref.okinawa.jp. Retrieved on August 16, 2013.
• Nakagusukuwan Port[http://www.dc.ogb.go.jp/nakagusukuwankou/ 沖縄総合事務局 那覇港湾・空港整備事務所 中城湾港出張所] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060501210023/http://www.dc.ogb.go.jp/nakagusukuwankou/ |date=May 1, 2006 }}. Dc.ogb.go.jp. Retrieved on August 16, 2013.
• Naha Port[http://www.nahaport.jp/pro_us/index.htm Naha port] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060328025939/http://www.nahaport.jp/pro_us/index.htm |date=March 28, 2006 }}. Nahaport.jp. Retrieved on August 16, 2013.
• Port of Unten{{in lang|ja}} [http://www.pref.okinawa.jp/kowan/unten.html 運天港] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060719040004/http://www.pref.okinawa.jp/kowan/unten.html |date=July 19, 2006 }}. Pref.okinawa.jp. Retrieved on August 16, 2013.

{{See also|Okinawa Island#Economy}}

The island economy is primarily driven by tourism and the U.S. military presence.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/okinawas-reinvention-enters-next-phase-1415912139|title=Okinawa's Reinvention Enters Next Phase|last1=Martin|first1=Alexander|date=13 November 2014|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=19 May 2016|url-access=subscription|archive-date=11 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611025110/http://www.wsj.com/articles/okinawas-reinvention-enters-next-phase-1415912139|url-status=live}} Other significant contributors to the economy include public utilities and public works, as well as, to a lesser extent, limestone mining, cement production, agriculture, telecommunications ({{ill|Okinawa Cellular Telephone|ja|沖縄セルラー電話}}), and alcoholic beverage production (Orion Breweries).{{Cite web |url=http://www.ryukyucement.co.jp/kouzan.htm |title=安和鉱山 琉球セメント |access-date=21 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217112331/http://www.ryukyucement.co.jp/kouzan.htm |archive-date=17 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|date=14 May 2009|url=http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-144509-storytopic-5.html|title=飲んで元気 アセローラ 本部町が産地をPR|publisher=琉球新報|access-date=17 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623124154/http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-144509-storytopic-5.html|archive-date=23 June 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|date=30 June 2021|url=https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20210630-50773/|title=Half-century of subsidies hamper Okinawa's path to self-reliance|publisher=The Japan News|access-date=30 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915175015/https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20210630-50773/|archive-date=15 September 2024|url-status=live}}

The 34 U.S. military installations on Okinawa are financially supported by the U.S. and Japan. The bases provide jobs for Okinawans, both directly and indirectly; in 2011, the U.S. military employed over 9,800 Japanese workers in Okinawa.{{cite web|first1=Stephen|last1=Nessen|title=Okinawa U.S. Marine Base Angers Residents And Governor|website=HuffPost|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephen-nessen/okinawa-us-marine-base-an_b_804460.html|access-date=August 19, 2014|date=January 4, 2011|archive-date=November 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131117095535/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephen-nessen/okinawa-us-marine-base-an_b_804460.html|url-status=live}} {{as of|2012}} the bases accounted for up to 5% of the economy.Hongo, Jun. (May 16, 2012) [http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120516f2.html Economic reliance on bases won't last, trends suggest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530071820/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120516f2.html |date=May 30, 2012 }}. The Japan Times. Retrieved on August 16, 2013. However, Koji Taira argued in 1997 that because the U.S. bases occupy around 20% of Okinawa's land, they impose a deadweight loss of 15% on the Okinawan economy.Taira, Koji (1997). [http://www.jpri.org/publications/workingpapers/wp28.html#Taira 'The Okinawan Charade'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010012128/http://www.jpri.org/publications/workingpapers/wp28.html#Taira |date=October 10, 2014 }} Japan Policy Research Institute, Working Paper No. 28 The Tokyo government also pays the prefectural government around ¥10 billion per year in compensation for the American presence, including, for instance, rent paid by the Japanese government to the Okinawans on whose land American bases are situated.[http://www.g2mil.com/okinawa-solution.htm The Okinawa Solution]. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626020236/http://www.g2mil.com/okinawa-solution.htm |date=June 26, 2012 }}. G2mil.com. Retrieved on August 16, 2013. A 2005 report by the U.S. Forces Japan Okinawa Area Field Office estimated that in 2003 the combined U.S. and Japanese base-related spending contributed $1.9 billion to the local economy.{{cite news|first1=Eric|last1=Johnston|title=Okinawa base issue not cut and dried with locals|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2006/03/28/national/okinawa-base-issue-not-cut-and-dried-with-locals/|access-date=November 21, 2014|date=March 28, 2006|newspaper=The Japan Times Online|archive-date=September 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904010323/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2006/03/28/national/okinawa-base-issue-not-cut-and-dried-with-locals/|url-status=live}} On January 13, 2015, in response to the citizens electing governor Takeshi Onaga, the national government announced that Okinawa's funding will be cut, due to the governor's stance on removing the US military bases from Okinawa, which the national government does not want happening.{{cite web|first1=Isabel|last1=Reynolds|first2=Maiko|last2=Takahashi|title=Japan cuts Okinawa budget after election of Anti-base governor|website=Bloomberg News|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-01-14/japan-cuts-okinawa-budget-after-election-of-anti-base-governor|access-date=November 21, 2014|date=January 13, 2015|archive-date=April 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427194715/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-01-14/japan-cuts-okinawa-budget-after-election-of-anti-base-governor|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Gov't cuts budget for Okinawa economic development|url=http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/govt-cuts-budget-for-okinawan-economic-development|access-date=February 4, 2015|date=January 15, 2015|archive-date=February 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205035920/http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/govt-cuts-budget-for-okinawan-economic-development|url-status=live}}

The Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau is exploring the possibility of using facilities on the military bases for large-scale meetings, conferencing, exhibitions events.{{cite news|title=Okinawa looks to offer more unique venues|url=http://www.ttgmice.com/article/okinawa-looks-to-offer-more-unique-venues/|access-date=November 15, 2012|newspaper=TTGmice|date=September 6, 2012|archive-date=January 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115170808/http://www.ttgmice.com/article/okinawa-looks-to-offer-more-unique-venues/|url-status=live}}

{{Main|U.S.–Japan Status of Forces Agreement|United States Forces Japan}}

• United States Marine Corps
• Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler
• Camp Courtney
• Camp Foster
• Camp Gonsalves (Jungle Warfare Training Center)
• Camp Hansen
• Camp Kinser
• Camp McTureous
• Camp Schwab
• Marine Corps Air Station Futenma
• United States Air Force
• Kadena Air Base
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20190321171347/https://kadenafss.com/okuma/ Okuma Beach Resort]
• United States Navy
• Camp Lester (Camp Kuwae){{citation needed|date=February 2023}}
• Camp Shields
• Naval Facility White Beach
• United States Army
• Fort Buckner
• Naha Military Port
• Torii Station

{{div col|colwidth=26em}}

• Namie Amuro, hip hop and pop singer
• Yui Aragaki, actress, singer and model
• Awich, rapper, singer and songwriter
• Beni, pop and R&B singer
• Zach Bryan, country musician and singer-songwriter
• Michael Carter, National Football League player
• Isamu Chō, officer in the Imperial Japanese Army
• Merle Dandridge, American actress and singer
• Byron Fija, Okinawan language practitioner and activist
• Gichin Funakoshi, martial artist, founder of Shotokan
• Gigō Funakoshi, martial artist
• Gackt, pop rock singer-songwriter, actor and author
• Robert Griffin III, National Football League player, Heisman Trophy winner
• Hearts Grow, alternative rock band
• Takuji Iwasaki, meteorologist, biologist and ethnologist historian
• Eiki Matayoshi, novel writer, winner of Akutagawa prize
• Jin Matsuda, singer, member of INI
• Saori Minami, kayōkyoku pop singer
• Daichi Miura, pop singer, dancer and choreographer
• Chōjun Miyagi, martial artist, founder of Gōjū-ryū
• Yukie Nakama, singer, musician and actress
• Rino Nakasone, professional dancer and choreographer
• Rimi Natsukawa, pop singer
• Orange Range, rock band
• Minoru Ōta, admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy
• Dave Roberts, Major League Baseball player and manager
• Toshiyuki Sakuda, professional wrestler
• Eisaku Satō, politician, 61st, 62nd and 63rd Prime Minister of Japan
• Aisa Senda, singer, actress and TV presenter in Taiwan
• Ben Shepherd, bassist of Soundgarden
• Stereopony, all-female pop rock band
• Noriyuki Sugasawa, basketball player
• Super Shisa, professional wrestler
• Tina Tamashiro, fashion model and actress
• Yuken Teruya, interdisciplinary artist
• Tamlyn Tomita, actress and singer
• Kanbun Uechi, martial artist, founder of Uechi-ryū
• Mitsuru Ushijima, general at the Battle of Okinawa
• Kentsū Yabu, martial artist prominent in Shōrin-ryū
• Chikako Yamashiro, filmmaker and video artist

{{div col end}}

• Names of Okinawa
• Okinawa Prefectural Assembly

{{NoteFoot}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons}}

{{Wikivoyage|Okinawa}}

{{NIE Poster|Okinawa}}

• [http://dc-office.org/brochure/ Okinawa Prefectural Government Washington DC Office]
• [https://www.pref.okinawa.lg.jp/ Official Okinawa Prefecture website] {{in lang|ja}}
• [https://www.pref.okinawa.lg.jp/site/chijiko/kohokoryu/foreign/english/index.html Official Okinawa Prefecture website]
• [http://rca.open.ed.jp/web_e/ Ryukyu Cultural Archives]
• [http://www.peace-museum.okinawa.jp/english/ Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum]
• {{OSM relation|3795635}}

{{Okinawa}}

{{Regions and administrative divisions of Japan}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Blue zones

Category:Former regions and territories of the United States

Category:Japan–United States relations

Category:Kyushu region

Category:Prefectures of Japan

Category:Ryukyu Islands