2 - Conceptualizing Self-Determination in Contemporary Ryūkyūs

“Self-determination” (jiko kettei) constitutes a controversial topic in the public debate of Japan, regarding the Ryūkyū Islands (Luchu Islands). Historically, relations between Okinawa and the central government of Japan have been frictional and complex. Requests for Okinawan “self-determination” and “self-governance” – and sometimes for independence – manifested soon after the annexation to Japan, before and after WWII. The Ryukyu independence movement, in its current manifestation, took shape during the years of the Ryūkyūs occupation by the U.S. (1945-1972), preceding the formation of the Ryukyu Independence Party in 1970. This movement has always promoted the idea of a “Ryukyuan ethnicity”, and cultural and historical distinctiveness from Japan. The military burden of the U.S. military bases in Okinawa, provided a fertile soil for this movement to grow.
The new millennium saw the strengthening of this movement. Ryukyans still perceive themselves as second-class citizens, with no cultural appreciation and the local economy fading away. In addition, currently, around 70% of the total U.S. military facilities in Japan are located in Okinawa.
Especially in the second decade of 2000s, new groups and institutions were established and sought to gain more international visibility. The present paper will examine the constitutive elements of the concept of “self-determination” as theorized by these new groups. The analysis will be conducted by investigating the documents and materials issued by two organizations: the Peace for Okinawa Coalition (founded by Rob Kajiwara in 2019) and the Association of Comprehensive Studies for Independence of the Lew Chewans established in 2013.