Where is okinawa in relation to japan

The three regions were unified in by Sho Hashi and became the Ryukyu Kingdom, the first unified regime to be established in Ryukyu. In an effort to entertain the envoys of the Chinese emperor who were dispatched each time a new king of Ryukyu ascended to the throne, the unique culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom, including performing arts, crafts, and food, became ever-more refined.

This was soon followed by orders to terminate the tributary relationship with the Qing Dynasty and to comply with the political system of Japan. This heralded the beginning of Okinawa Prefecture. Locals often argue that if bases were scaled back the land could instead be commercialised. Most of the US bases are situated in the flat south, where there are aspirations to develop Okinawa into a regional trade hub, expand tourism and explore other potential industries such as IT call centres.

But there is no consensus over the best use of the land and the private owners of land would have to be compensated. In any case economic revitalisation would take time. Okinawans will eventually have to accept a solution with some kind of US presence.

Many feel uncomfortable suggesting bases relocate to Guam because they understand the burden placed on the host. While relocation of the Futenma base to Henoko is a logical compromise, Okinawans are reluctant to accept any new US bases. Opposition to the US presence has almost become part of Okinawan identity. Nevertheless, Okinawan politicians and civil society groups need to demonstrate they can be part of the solution.

National attention is temporarily focused on Okinawa but as these incidents fade from the headlines the distance between Okinawa and Tokyo will probably continue to grow.

The US bases are unlikely to be in Japan forever, unlike the Okinawan people. So in the immediate term, policy makers in Tokyo should pay greater attention to Okinawa.

Vicky Tuke is a Daiwa Scholar. She spent one month living in Okinawa before writing this piece, and is now based in Tokyo. East Asia Forum welcomes comments, both for adding depth to analysis and for bringing up important new issues.

Okinawa's climate is subtropical, with temperatures barely falling below 15 degrees in winter. The seas surrounding Okinawa's islands are considered among the world's most beautiful with coral reefs and abundant marine wildlife.

Consequently, snorkeling and scuba diving are among Okinawa's top attractions. The islands making up Okinawa Prefecture, are also known as the Ryukyu Islands, named after the native culture, which is distinctly different from that of the rest of Japan in terms of language, cuisine, arts, etc.

An independent kingdom and tributary state to China for several centuries, the Ryukyu Islands came under control of the Satsuma feudal fief today's Kagoshima Prefecture in the 17th century, and were made a Japanese prefecture in , accompanied by efforts to assimilate the native population. But despite these past efforts, the Ryukyuan culture survived and is now Okinawa's other main attraction.