沖縄の独自性とアイデンティティ
Okinawa is virtually the only region within Japan where people assert a national identity distinct from Japanese.
So do you consider yourself Okinawan or Japanese or Okinawan-Japanese?
The percentage of Uchinanchu should be like...
The reason why Okinawa is often referred to as a national identity is that in 2014, Mr. Takeshi Onaga claimed that Okinawa is a national identity rather than an ideology.
If the media and politicians keep saying that Okinawa is a national identity, people will be like, huh? Who am I?
The more I look into the base problem, the more I feel sorry for Okinawa.
So it's equal vs. Japan vs. America.
The identity that is currently shared and strongly criticized in Okinawa is not directly related to Ryukyu, but is based on the history of Kunan after the war.
There are a lot of Ryukyu in the generation of Minami, right?
There are a lot of Ryukyu in hip-hop lyrics.
So does that mean Ryukyu sounds cooler than Okinawa?
If you dare to say Ryukyu, it means...
Is it a Ryukyu country? Is it a Ryukyu kingdom?
There was a time when I thought it was a Ryukyu kingdom, not Japan.
Ready, go!
50 years after reversion, the authors report the findings of the large-scale survey conducted in September 2022, the 50th anniversary of Okinawa's reversion to Japan.
The survey targeted approximately 3,800 eligible voters aged 18 to 80 residents in Okinawa Prefecture, hereafter referred to as the 2022 survey.
According to the book, while the myth of Japan as a homogeneous nation remains deeply rooted in Japanese society and the most people clearly identify themselves as Japanese,
Okinawa stands out as a region where many, indeed, a majority hold an alternative national identity, specifically that of being Okinawan, Uchinanchu.
The authors pointed out that based on its historical background and geographic distinctiveness, Okinawa is virtually the only region within Japan where people assert a national identity distinct from Japanese.
Previous studies have likewise found that many Okinawans feel proud of being Okinawan, and in the 2022 survey, more than 75% of respondents said they feel such pride.
When asked about their sense of identity, 52% answered that both Okinawan and Japanese, exceeding half of respondents, while about one-fourth, 24.2%, said Okinawan only, and fewer than 16% said Japanese only.
In other words, in Okinawa, identity is not a simple dictum of Japanese or Okinawan. Rather, a hybrid identity combining both is the majority and those who identify only as Japanese are, in fact, a minority.
In the 50th anniversary of Okinawa, published the other day, a large-scale survey was conducted in September 2022, which marked the 50th anniversary of Okinawa's return to Japan.
In the same book, it states that in Japanese society, the myth of a one-ethnic nation remains strong, and many people clearly recognize the Japanese national identity, while in Okinawa, there are many people who have a national identity other than Japanese, specifically Okinawans, or Uchinans.
In fact, in the previous survey, it was reported that many Okinawans were proud of being Okinawans or Uchinans, and more than 75% of respondents said they felt proud.
In addition, about their own identity, more than half of respondents said they were Okinawans or Japanese, and Okinawans only accounted for about 24.2% of respondents, and less than 16% of respondents said they were Japanese.
In other words, in Okinawa, it is not one or two people who are Japanese or Okinawans, but a large number of people who have a complex identity that combines both, and it is clear that the consciousness of only being Japanese is rather a minority.
That's it.
アイデンティティの調査
So, this is our episode 100.
Yay!
All of a sudden?
This is our 100th episode, so we're going to talk about Okinawa from this book.
So, do you consider yourself Okinawan or Japanese or Okinawan-Japanese?
I would say I'm Okinawan-Japanese, but my feeling is more Okinawan, probably like 70% Okinawan, 30% Japanese.
Yeah, I feel the same. It's like mixed, but not saying like I'm not Japanese.
And also, it depends on where I am and who I talk to.
So, if I talk to a mainland Japanese, then I would say 100 Okinawan.
I'm not Japanese like you, but if I go overseas, then I would say I'm Japanese, but I'm also Okinawan, and I want to have a chance to talk about Okinawa.
But when you're in Okinawa, talking to Okinawan people, then you're going to be...
Okinawan.
I would say local.
Yeah.
I was born and grew up here.
And where are you from?
Yeah, I guess it's like where are you from?
Yeah, I guess it's like where are you from?
It's just because you're in Okinawa and you're not from Okinawa, that's why you're Okinawan.
But when I talk to Okinawan people, we divide as Nanbu, Chubu, Hokubu, and Shi.
Yeah, if you want to group them.
Like I'm Chubu.
Nanbu is like Shi.
Shi is also like Chubu.
二重アイデンティティの探求
But if you go to Chubu, it's like Ginoan.
Chatan.
So it's like where are you from in Chubu?
But it's completely different.
If you go to Ginoan and Chatan, it's like where are you from?
So it's like where are you from in Ginoan and Chatan?
Ueno Chatan.
Naniku.
So it's like where are you from?
And in the end, it's just Akane.
Yeah.
Well, that's true.
So, like the article I read earlier,
so you're Japanese and you live in Japan,
but based on historical and geographical characteristics,
you have a national identity that's different from the Japanese.
The only place in Japan that you can feel like you're Japanese.
So basically,
people who live in Okinawa or like Uchinan to call themselves Okinawan or Japanese,
but people from mainland for example like Tottori they're not gonna say hey
I'm Tottorian they're just Japanese I think.
But people from Kansai, they are so proud of being Kansai people, right?
And people from Tokyo, they don't really say anything like I'm from Tokyo.
They don't say anything?
Like they don't say anything like I'm from Tokyo.
You mean people born and raised in Tokyo, right?
Yeah, yeah.
Real Tokyo people have a more reserved image, right?
Yeah, I have that image.
People from Onobori say something or the other, but people from Tokyo are quiet.
I feel like that.
But going back to Kansai people, they're not gonna say like
do they have the word like Okinawan?
You know what I mean?
Like Japanese, Okinawan, American.
Do they have Osaka-nyan?
Osaka-nyan, Kyoto-nyan.
Osaka-nyan?
They don't say Osaka-nyan.
But they don't say Okinawan-nyan, right?
Like American-nyan.
But if you go to Tokyo,
you don't really say Okinawan-nyan,
so people who say Okinawan-nyan,
sometimes they say Okinawan-nyan because they want to say it,
but they think about it before they say it.
So instead of saying Okinawan-nyan,
to make it easier to understand for people in mainland.
I think Okinawan people say it better.
Oh, yeah.
If you say Okinawan-nyan or Okinawan-nyan,
depending on the people in the mainland,
some people might be surprised.
Like, they're strong.
Like super strong.
That's true.
Yeah, that's right.
So we are like mixed.
Mixed.
Okinawan-Japanese.
70% Okinawan and 30% Japanese.
According to the research,
the Okinawan and Japanese that Minami said earlier,
they are plural,
and the rest are local Okinawans and Japanese.
According to the research,
it's a three-layered structure
that fluctuates depending on the generation,
birthplace, educational background,
region, and information environment.
Three-layered structure.
Three-layered structure is what Okinawan-Japanese said earlier.
It's mixed.
The majority of the research was plural.
The majority of the research was plural.
In other words, for many people,
the local identity of Okinawan
and the national identity of Japanese
is not a confrontation,
but a natural coexistence.
The biggest difference
depending on the generation and environment
is whether you were born in Okinawa or not.
About 70% of Okinawans are Japanese.
On the other hand, in Okinawa,
only 8% of Okinawans are Japanese.
It doesn't make sense.
Also, the generation gap
is between 55 to 64 years old,
the generation before Okinawa returned to the mainland,
and the generation before Okinawa returned to the mainland,
and the generation before Okinawa returned to the mainland,
it's almost one third of the local people.
It's almost one third of the local people.
It's almost one third of the local people.
On the other hand,
in the generation below 54 years old,
it's about 20% of local people.
So the generation before Okinawa returned to the mainland
has a little difference in identity.
So the generation before Okinawa returned to the mainland
35 to 44 years old, Japanese people have more than a quarter of the answers to Japanese people's questions.
It's a little more than other generations, but it seems that there are a lot of temporary immigrants from non-Okinawa, such as the Tenkinsoku of the company.
Oh, I see.
I said this before I took this, but it's related to immigration, isn't it? The percentage of immigrants.
After the war, or before the war, there was a lot of time to think about whether it was Okinawa, Japan, or America.
I think there are a lot of opportunities to think about who you are.
When Okinawa is occupied by America, I don't think I'm Japanese.
Because Japan had a very good economy during that time.
You need a passport when you're in Japan.
That's right.
You're a foreigner.
I don't think you're American, no matter how you think about it.
I only think you're Okinawan.
One more thing.
The history of Japan's education.
沖縄と日本のアイデンティティの複雑さ
Many middle school and high school graduates are local.
On the other hand, there is a tendency for Japanese people to graduate from university.
If you go to university, you learn more about Japan.
Academic things make you more Japanese.
But there's a possibility that the respondents who graduated from university might have gone to a foreign country and graduated and lived in Okinawa.
There were only about half of the people in the prefecture.
There aren't that many people in the prefecture.
I'm sure there are Tengu.
I feel like the more educated people are, the more opportunities they have to go to different places.
And there are opportunities to meet foreigners.
By the way, the respondents in this survey are not born in Okinawa or have a certain DNA.
They are prefectural residents in the prefecture.
So they don't have a place of origin.
I don't think it makes sense for people who are born and live outside of Okinawa to say they are Japanese.
If the people born and raised in the mainland, but their parents are Okinawans,
If you say, hey, I'm 100% Okinawan,
Don't you forget where you grew up?
It's a little mixed.
It depends on how you were raised.
Also, it's a little niche, but there are people from the central and southern regions.
What was it?
The people in the central region are more mixed.
34% of the people in the northern region are local.
We can consider the northern region as a rural area.
Than any other area.
Because the southern region includes Naha.
The southern region is also a rural area, but as soon as Naha came in, it became a city.
Let's put this result out for the time being.
Please take a look.
We talked about the last time, how about people in Miyako and other islands.
According to this book, 52% of the people over half are Okinawans and Japanese.
It was a complex identity.
In addition, there are other complex identities such as Japanese in Miyako and Japanese in Yaeyama.
The answer is about 1%.
If you put it all together, 60% of the people who answered were mixed.
I think it depends on how old the people on the island are.
If you're young, there are probably a lot of people from outside the prefecture who come to Rizoba and Rito.
I wonder if there are people like that.
People who are older than me have been living on the island for a long time.
I think the island's identity is strong.
How they choose the participants is by applying to 3,800 people.
For example, if it's Naha, there are more people, so with this number.
If it's the north, it's a little less, so calculate it by a larger percentage.
I said 3,800 people, but the answer was about 1,000 people.
I think it's good to think about the scale of about 4,000 people.
Of course, there are a lot of people who don't fit in.
But as a general trend, as local, we don't think it's not.
It makes sense.
Some people in Rito think that the last group of people who grew up in Okinawa is Uchinan.
That's the image, right?
It's Uchinan at the end, but from an islander's point of view, it's not the end of Otamiya.
There's more.
I think so.
That's why some people don't dare to answer Uchinan.
Because the language is different.
But isn't it interesting to say that it's Miyakonchu and Japanese?
It's not Uchinan.
But it's actually Miyakonchu and Uchinan.
And Japanese.
If you ask me which one it is, it's Uchinan in Miyakonchu.
It's a super compound word.
That's how it feels.
That's right.
I talked about the north and south.
One more thing.
We can't overlook the difference in the information environment.
People who associate with local cities such as Ryukyu Newspaper and Okinawa Times have a strong local and Fukuoka-style thinking.
On the contrary, people who focus on net news tend to have a higher Japanese thinking because they touch the national frame.
In addition, there is a difference in academic history and regionality.
In addition, it is easier to choose a major or minor in Japan.
I said this earlier.
In the north and south, Okinawan people have a high thinking.
In the middle, Fukuoka-style.
So there's that too.
Net or mass media.
Because local cities talk a lot about base issues.
What happened in which district of Okinawa.
It's all about local topics.
Then there is no space to put information outside the prefecture.
If you keep looking at that, you'll be like,
Oh no, I'm being bullied again.
It's over.
It's over.
That's right.
That's why it's local.
Fukuoka-style thinking is strong, so it's not that surprising.
I think they're raised in a way that makes them look like they're the mainstay.
That's right.
Information that comes in without thinking.
News, TV, etc.
Basically, it's against the Japanese government.
All the time.
アイデンティティの定義
If that happens,
Our identity will be strengthened in many ways.
The generation of newspapers and TV and the generation of net news are completely different.
They're different.
But the generation of newspapers is watching YouTube now.
I wonder if it's changing.
It might change.
On the other hand, there's a possibility that people will look at it differently.
Some people are narrow-minded because of the internet.
If you use the internet well, people will look at you and say,
Is there a person with this kind of thinking?
I don't know if they think that far and get information.
In short, there are many Fukuoka-style people.
Also, depending on where you're from, it's different.
According to the research part 2,
What defines Okinawans and Japanese people?
The most important thing that defines Okinawans is that they think they are Okinawans.
I think the overwhelming 85% is important.
Next, being born in Okinawa.
Living in Okinawa for most of your life.
It is important that your ancestors were Okinawans.
On the other hand, the language and culture of Shima-Kutuba
Does it reflect that there are fewer people who can actually speak?
About one-third of people think it is important.
If we set the definition, what makes Okinawans is to be able to speak Shima-Kutuba?
Then there will be no more.
1% of all people are Okinawans.
Only 1% of people are Okinawans.
That's right.
Shima-Kutuba is a language that our generation can't speak.
If you say that people who can speak are Okinawans,
Then we're not good enough to be Okinawans.
It is important to think of yourself as an Okinawan.
In my opinion, the best definition should be
Born and raised in Okinawa.
Parents don't matter.
Parents matter, but the percentage of Uchinanchu should be
How many years you stay in Okinawa.
How much you observe Okinawan culture.
If you were born and raised in Tokyo,
政治と沖縄のアイデンティティ
Tokyo's personality should be larger than Okinawan's personality.
In my opinion.
For example, people who were born and raised in Okinawa
have a stronger Okinawan identity.
It also includes how old you are in Okinawa.
If you were born and raised in Okinawa,
you would have a stronger Okinawan identity.
Even if you were born and raised in Okinawa,
you can get used to Okinawa over a long period of time.
It's up to you to decide.
But that includes not being able to talk Shimakutuba,
but they have Okinawan accents.
The way they talk is closer to Okinawan.
I feel like it's more like I can describe them as Okinawan.
Their personality and way of speaking is more like Okinawan.
Even though their last name is different.
I can feel like they are Okinawan.
I understand.
Ok, so...
I want you to think about why Okinawa has such a strong identity.
The reason why Okinawa is often referred to as the identity of Okinawa is
that in the 2014 election,
Mr. Takeshi Onaga said that it was more of an identity than an ideology.
Mr. Onaga wanted to gather all the political forces in Okinawa
and build an anti-communist organization
that was opposed to Mr. Henoko Nagoshi,
the former secretary of the U.S. Department of State.
Until then, there were people who claimed that Okinawa was decided by Okinawa.
In many of the national elections,
the candidates from the House of Representatives and the House of Representatives
sought the political basis of Okinawa,
from the conservative party to the communist party,
and did not use their Okinawan identity as a focal point.
After the return of Okinawa,
the opposition to the conservative party was the political basis,
but the Okinawan identity,
which exceeded the conservative party and the revolutionary party,
became a common axis.
The Japanese government changed the plan,
and they suggested, let's move it to Henoko,
which means they were in Okinawa.
That was the background.
I think that's where the Okinawan identity was put forward as political marketing.
Identity rather than ideology.
That's true.
When people say that,
whether they are right-wing or left-wing,
it's easy to think of them as Okinawans.
It sounds very peaceful.
It does.
It does.
But is it also peaceful to separate Okinawan identity from Japanese identity?
Now we are Fukuoka,
but if this ideology is strengthened,
we will be like,
100% no Japanese available.
We can't use it now.
But in the end,
it was 10 years ago,
and everyone is conscious of their identity.
They say things like that.
People who think about who they are in their daily lives,
well, everyone does,
but not many people do.
Like, why am I alive?
They are too busy to live every day.
They don't have time to think about what their identity is.
But this is so important to think about,
アイデンティティと基地問題
to have a better life.
Or like, they don't have to think about it,
to become who they are.
Because they are already who they are.
If the media and politicians keep talking about identity,
it will be like,
huh? Who am I?
You know what I mean?
It's like a journey to find yourself.
It's not a brainwash,
but if people keep talking about identity,
the United States,
all of them think about who they are every day.
Because of the influence of the United States,
Japanese people are like,
huh? Identity?
So it's a good strategy.
In short, it's against the base.
What these people,
Orokinawa and Onaga-san,
did was to say,
let's go against the base.
The Japanese government has been doing this for a long time.
It's not good or anything,
but Orokinawa and Onaga-san keep coming,
and the government said they would relocate,
but in the end, it's just a piece of shit.
So next time,
if we can't win the election,
let's get all the Okinawan people's identities,
and fight.
That's right.
But the more you look into the base issue,
you can't help but feel sorry for Okinawa.
It's like,
versus Japan,
versus America.
You can't help it.
Because Okinawa is taking responsibility.
Anyone can do that.
Anyone can do that when it comes to this base.
I understand.
In Okinawa.
Location-wise, Okinawa is the best spot to have,
you know,
to cope with other countries.
But,
like Akane said,
after the war,
the base issue,
the Japanese-American Guarantee Agreement,
the Japanese-American Guarantee Agreement,
if you look into it,
you can't help but feel,
what the...
It's a mess.
It's a mess, right?
How, um,
how unfair is it?
It's not always equal,
about the US base.
But,
the US base is being pushed,
and Okinawans living in Okinawa,
if you only think about Okinawa,
you feel sorry for Okinawa,
but,
let's say you're Japanese.
Let's think from a Japanese perspective.
In the end,
the base itself is necessary.
If you think as a Japanese.
Then,
why don't we cooperate together
as Japanese?
That's one way to think about it.
But, Okinawans
living in Okinawa,
it's not like
Okinawa needs to take responsibility for this.
That's one way to think about it.
That's one way to think about it.
But,
it's like,
they're making a structure
where they're being bullied.
All the newspapers in Okinawa.
I don't know,
if you live in mainland,
non-Okinawan,
maybe you'd think,
as Okinawans,
all Okinawans,
we're against Japan.
We're doing sports.
That's what you'd think.
But,
we're in a situation
where we have to accept it.
There's a problem with the Japanese constitution
and the Self-Defense Force.
But, when you think like that,
you can't say,
yes, I accept it.
Basically,
if you don't go against it,
the Japanese government
can't welcome you
no matter how much
you're in mainland.
Because
we have
our own country.
So, it's a complex
situation.
But,
going back to identity,
it's a good
tactic
to appeal against
US base.
We can talk about this
for another 3 hours.
Another episode.
Another episode.
But,
with the US base,
and the US military base problem,
Okinawans'
Okinawan identity
is getting stronger
in both good and bad ways.
You can say that, right?
Yes, I can say that.
We're getting a lot of influence.
This is the only issue we have
in Japan.
This is the only issue?
I mean, this is the issue
only we have.
In Japan.
It's about
protecting Japan.
Myself,
I also didn't, you know,
I was not interested
in all about US military base
and Okinawan
identity stuff.
But, once I'm
digging all the information
and doing podcast and meet
people from overseas
in Japan,
after all this experience
makes me to think about my identity
more.
I want to know
more about myself.
You can understand
what position you were
in unconsciously, right?
Yes, yes, yes.
Even if we talk casually.
Well,
we'll talk about it
in another episode.
Next.
Is the influence of Okinawan identity
coming from Ryukyu?
Is Okinawa coming from Sengo?
I'm not saying
this is it.
We try to
search a lot of information.
Anyway.
Japanese translation
Our generation
think we are Okinawan
in Japanese.
It's not influenced by Ryukyu era.
It's more like
after the battle of Okinawa.
You can say that.
Right?
Yes.
Our Okinawa identity
grew up with Okinawan
entertainment
and popularity, right?
Okinawa
is
popular with
沖縄人アイデンティティの形成
South Okinawan people.
That's why
our Okinawan identity grew up.
And
you know,
during the war,
the US military
was like that too.
When I was in the US,
I didn't live in South Okinawa,
but my parents were like that.
It doesn't matter to South Okinawan people.
You're talking about my generation, right?
I don't know.
Chura-san.
I don't know.
I think our base is big.
I think so.
We've been
called a base problem.
I don't think
South Okinawan people
are influenced by Okinawa.
Okinawa is already popular.
Okinawan people
have a strong identity.
Yes.
I'm not from the Aranami generation,
but there are many
Ryukyu people
in my generation, right?
Yes.
I wasn't influenced by Aranami.
But Akane was influenced by
Naichi.
Then that makes you feel more
Okinawan, not Ryukyu.
Yes.
That's true.
Ryukyu...
Shurijo.
Shurijo.
Digging into more
our own identity
is influenced by COVID.
I think so.
In those three years,
there was Black Lives Matter,
but
identity topics
and mass media are lying.
YouTube's urban legend
YouTubers
and conspiracy theorists
are coming out a lot.
We have been doing this
for decades,
so we are brainwashed
and so westernized.
More and more people
say that.
It got popular.
Because we stayed at home.
So
our generation
didn't experience Aranami era,
but they started
digging about what Ryukyu is.
And they want to go back.
They want to feel that.
They made us think
about Ryukyu again.
Yes, yes.
Leaving aside the base,
the whole world was doing identity error.
Yes.
Maybe BLM?
BML?
Black Lives Matter.
BLM.
I think it was the most influential.
Yes.
In COVID,
Hispanics and Blacks
died first,
so they couldn't get medical care.
And then
the identity wave
came,
and it came to Japanese people,
and
it came to Okinawans,
and
there are people
who dig about Ryukyu.
Yes.
Does it make sense?
I also have
my identity.
Yes.
So if you dig about it,
it's Ryukyu for us.
It's Ryukyu, not Okinawa.
Maybe
people want to say
that they are from Ryukyu.
It's like they don't want to be influenced
by Japanese government
or America.
I think it's an image.
Because
going back to the identity era,
after the war,
people were sent to GHQ,
and the Japanese government
gathered,
and Okinawa became a
residential area.
Some people say it's a residential area.
So
if you say Okinawa,
it's not good enough
to be Okinawan.
Because Okinawan
sounds like a Japanese name.
So
some people don't like both.
So some people
like the name Ryukyu.
That's what some people say.
It has
a sense of antiquity.
Yes.
It's a name that has been used
for a long time.
It's not like
Okinawa that Japan made.
But in the end,
Ryukyu is
Chinese.
That's what I thought.
That's right.
Yes.
So I will
announce the name
of Ryukyu, Okinawa.
Actually,
both are
ancient words.
Historically, Ryukyu
came from China,
and Okinawa is a nickname
that has been used as a hometown
Ryukyu was edited in the 7th century
It's a Chinese national poem
called Zuishouwakokuden.
Zuishouwakokuden
In it
Is it Chinese?
The intonation is bad.
Wait. Zuishouwakokuden
Zuishouwakokuden
Zuishouwakokuden?
In it,
Ryukyu is
Ryukyu means
Ryukyu
It's the first time it's been used.
But it's unknown
if it's the name of Okinawa
It's said that
the entire East China Sea,
including Taiwan,
was called Ryukyu.
Okinawa
was used in Japan
from a long time ago.
In the old record,
in the 7th century,
Okinawa
It's hard to explain in kanji,
but Okinawa is
seen as Okinawa.
Okinawa in kanji,
Okinawa now,
in the middle of the Edo period,
in the middle of the 7th century,
it was written as Nanjo-shi
Nanjo-shi?
Nanto-shi?
It appears for the first time.
There are various theories
about Okinawa's language,
but Okinawa's dialect,
Okinawans
write Okinawa
and read it as Uchina,
but the word Uchina
originally referred to
the main island of Okinawa,
and was used
for the main island
and the surrounding islands.
The people of Yoronto
and Okierabujima,
which are located
in the north of the main island,
call Okinawa
and the people of
Aoyama and Miyako
call it Uchina.
Their meaning is
a big island.
In other words,
the main island of Okinawa
was called that
because it was a big island
throughout this area.
It is said that
琉球の歴史とアメリカの影響
the name of the U.S. military
administration
was not the Okinawa government
but the U.S. government.
And based on that
administration policy,
Ryukyu Bank
and Ryukyu University
were established.
Ryukyu Electric Power
was the predecessor
of Okinawa Electric Power.
Okinawa Electric Power
was Ryukyu Electric Power.
And it was made by the U.S.
Ryukyu
was named
Ryukyu
from the Chinese point of view.
And this area
is called Ryukyu
not Ryukyu.
At first,
when this kanji was
used,
Taiwan was Ryukyu
and there were
North Ryukyu and
South Ryukyu.
In Okinawa,
the people of
Okinawa were called Ryukyu.
It's like Okinawa is a big island.
Yeah, it's like a mainland.
I think it was a mainland
at that time.
So,
if you want to call it Ryukyu
with an old-fashioned atmosphere,
I think
it would be better
to call it Uchina.
And
if you want to call Okinawa
as the subject of Okinawa
with an old-fashioned atmosphere,
I think Uchina
would make sense.
Or
Ufukuna.
That's right.
If you look at it from the point of view of a native,
it's Okinawa.
I feel like it doesn't include
all the islands.
I feel like it's not enough.
Oh, you mean
it's only about the mainland?
Right.
That's right.
The old-fashioned Ryukyu
was called Ryukyu including Taiwan,
so if you think about it,
Ryukyu is the most old-fashioned.
But it also includes Taiwan.
The fact that it includes Taiwan
makes a distinction in kanji.
Ah, if you want to call it Ryukyu.
But it doesn't matter.
For example, the alphabet is Ryukyu.
But when I went on a trip to Taiwan,
when I came back from Taiwan to Okinawa,
it said Ryukyu station.
It said something, didn't it?
I thought it was cool.
Because they speak Chinese.
But you think it's cool, right?
Yeah.
So it means that Ryukyu sounds
cooler than Okinawa, right?
Don't you feel
Ryukyu sounds
more cool than Okinawa?
That's true.
Okinawa is
normal.
Ryukyu sounds
cooler than Okinawa, right?
It has a history.
The sound
and kanji are cool, right?
Ryukyu is very popular
even in the name of humans.
It has a history.
The sound
Ryukyu
sounds cool.
It's different from Okinawa.
It sounds round.
Yeah.
So what does that mean?
It's perspective
from China's side.
I think
we don't have to think too much about it.
But
when the US was in power,
the US government
didn't use Okinawa Bank
or Okinawa University,
but Ryukyu Bank or Ryukyu University.
The Ryukyu government
used Ryukyu.
So
from a political point of view,
calling it Ryukyu
or Okinawa
has been done for a long time.
Right?
So
some people
should think about
how to use it.
It's always
you know,
they have
propaganda
about Ryukyu.
So the US
used Ryukyu
to separate Japan
from Okinawa.
So
it's not about China.
In recent history,
there is this background.
It's easy to say
Ryukyu Ryukyu
アイデンティティの強調
Ryukyu by Ryukyu.
It's good to do that.
But if you call it Ryukyu,
does it sound like China?
It doesn't sound like China,
but
it sounds like it's not
close to Japan.
I see.
It's not Okinawa,
but they call it Ryukyu.
It's not that China is trying to do something,
but after the war,
Ryukyu is
propaganda,
and the US used it
for a purpose.
It doesn't matter.
But it's not Japan.
You guys.
If you think of it as
a part of the brainstorming,
as Akane said,
it's not your responsibility,
but you know the background,
and you should
dare to use it.
That's what I mean.
There are cases like that.
You think too much.
But yeah,
if I say
I'm Ryukyujin,
I have a feeling
I'm not 100% Japanese.
Do you feel it?
If I say
Uchinanchu or Ryukyujin.
Do you feel it when you say Uchinanchu?
If I say Uchinanchu
rather than
Okinawajin,
I feel like
the identity feels stronger.
It's not Okinawa,
it's not Okinawa,
it's Uchinanchu.
You should dare to say it.
It's important to dare to say it.
If you dare to say
Ryukyu,
it means
you have a feeling
that you are not Japanese.
100%.
In our generation,
it's more like
to call themselves
Ryukyuan or Ryukyu
makes like
they don't want to be included
as Japanese.
In the lyrics of Hip-Hop,
they say Ryukyu a lot.
That's because
they want to say
Ryukyu and Okinawa
have a history.
Maybe.
We are not just Okinawa.
We used to be Ryukyu.
They use it because they want to say it.
Maybe.
It's not good or bad.
But
just to know about
アイデンティティの探求
the background.
It's true that
if you say Ryukyu,
it's more like
identity than nationality.
It's more like identity than theology.
It's like
we are strong.
It's good for
us.
And
to be more specific,
is it Ryukyukoku
or Ryukyuokoku?
But
we call it Ryukyu
to avoid
controversy.
Because if you say Ryukyu,
it's not correct.
Going back to
Ryukyukoku as a
gender or nationality
Ryukyukoku is a
formal name.
Ryukyukoku
is the
ancient name of
modern history.
In Ryukyukoku's
documents,
there are many
Ryukyukoku
and Ryukyukoku.
Ryukyukoku's
formal name
was Ryukyukoku.
Ryukyukoku has been used
as a national language
since 1879
until the establishment
of Okinawa.
It has been used
widely as a national language
since 1879
until the establishment
of Okinawa.
In modern history,
the name Ryukyukoku
has been used
as a general name.
So,
assuming that
this information is true,
Ryukyukoku's
formal name is Ryukyukoku.
Ryukyukoku
is
I also
searched about why people
say Ryukyukoku.
It's easier to imagine that
the king managed the
nation.
That's why people
call it a kingdom.
So,
I found out that
Ryukyukoku is correct.
I found out that Ryukyukoku is correct.
It's the biggest mystery.
It's like a lot of textbooks
and even Okinawa
website,
official website,
called Ryukyukoku.
What is it?
There are not many
people who have
questions about
calling it Ryukyukoku.
In this generation,
there are not many people
who have questions
about calling it Ryukyukoku.
When the word Ryukyukoku
came out,
I thought,
what is Ryukyukoku?
I thought,
what is Ryukyukoku?
I thought,
Ryukyukoku is
a word that
modern people
came up with
for marketing.
But,
There is no rule
to call a country with a king.
Japan has an emperor,
so it's just Japan.
In addition,
Okinawa Prefecture
is called
Japan.
But, when going back to
Yamato era,
before the unification of Japan,
Satsuma,
it was not a prefecture,
but a country.
So,
Ryukyukoku is
the Okinawa Prefecture
in Japan.
So, it's not a country
that the royalists
want to imagine.
But,
it was independent
and communicated with China.
It sounds like
Ryukyukoku used to be
an independent nation
by king.
But,
it was called Ryukyukoku
and traded with Japan.
Did you know that?
I think I did.
But,
Japan has a sense of
including Ryukyukoku as a team.
Yeah.
But,
China and Japan are
in an agreement.
So, Ryukyukoku is
a part of Japan.
It's a part of Japan.
It's related to Japan.
If you think about it,
it's either Japan or China.
Yeah.
But, it's called
Ryukyukoku and it's independent.
I think it's like
well,
I don't know if the name is correct,
but it's an area that has
an autonomy.
For example,
the laws are different depending on the state.
It's like a country.
California is like that.
But, it's not a country.
In a sense,
it's an independent country.
It has a function.
It still does.
So, Ryukyukoku is not
a country like Japan.
How should I put it?
At that time,
there was a king
and his subordinates
and the organization was established.
So, next time,
let's send someone to China
and have a relationship
with Japan.
Because Perry came to Okinawa.
He was the only one who did it in Okinawa.
It's not a foreign country,
but there's a relationship with foreign countries.
So,
it's not right
to say that it's independent.
I think that's why.
But, equal to Ryukyukingdom?
It sounds not right
according to
these
history.
The content of the book.
Is it just a name?
But,
it is important.
It connects to
identity directly.
Right.
Either way,
I don't think it's different
between Japanese and Okinawans,
but Ryukyukingdom
sounds like
it's against Japan.
Right.
History and politics
are trying to make it
against Japan,
so we can't get out
of being Okinawans.
We are not
Japanese.
Right.
That's right.
No matter what we do,
it's like we are
trying to separate us from Japan.
I don't know
if it's
unconscious or planned,
but I just think
we are working.
But, the culture is totally different.
Right.
That's why it's easy to use.
沖縄人のアイデンティティ
You guys are different.
The culture,
the music, the language,
the food is different,
so it's different.
It's easy to think like that.
It's easy to think like that.
I wonder if it's different.
I wonder if it's not Japanese.
But, you know,
Shima Kuchiba is
Japanese.
The fact that it's between
America and Japan,
our identity conversation
will get messy more.
But,
when we were talking,
I thought
somehow
we are different.
We are Okinawans.
But, when I think about it,
this kind of
historical background
and the power
of someone
working there,
well,
when I was
abroad,
in Tokyo,
I was often told
that Okinawans are totally different.
But,
if I told them
that it's because of this,
I thought they would understand.
Especially,
the generation after the war.
Well, only the generation after the war are alive.
Well,
it's not only about
the difference of language
and culture,
but also about
the history.
So,
it's easy to understand
that Okinawans
have a strong identity
because
their parents
were like this.
I see.
The legacy of their identity.
But,
you said that Okinawans are totally different.
Yes.
They are different, but
geographically,
there is a relationship with China,
and because they were
attacked by the US during the war,
the difference is even bigger.
Yes.
You know, when we think about
Shimokitoba,
it's different from Asian Japanese.
Yes.
It's not like that.
In Kojiki,
there is a saying that
Okinawan language
has nothing to do with
China or anything else.
It's only about
the old Japanese.
It's not like it's not Japanese.
Some people say that
Okinawa is the start of Japan.
There is a theory like that.
When I think about it,
the language is spread like this,
so
Okinawa and Hokkaido
have the oldest Japanese language.
So,
it's not like Okinawa is the start of Japan,
but on the contrary,
Japan.
The ancient Japan.
Yes, the ancient Japan is now Okinawa.
So, we are Japanese
all the time.
In the first survey,
what do you think
defines Okinawans as Japanese?
In the first survey,
there was a question
whether Okinawans can speak
Shima-Kutuba.
The southern generation
could speak Shima-Kutuba perfectly,
but the question was
whether Okinawans could speak it or not.
So, I think that
the language is
the foundation of
the identity.
It's not about appearance,
but it's about
the fact that
we are
originally Asian Japanese.
We are so fucking Japanese!
Right?
I guess so.
Okinawans have a strong
Okinawan identity,
but if we go back
to the past,
when I
didn't know about Ryukyu,
when I believed
there was a Ryukyu kingdom
in Ryukyu Kingdom,
I thought
it wasn't Japan,
but Ryukyu Kingdom.
So, we lived together.
When I was young.
But,
now,
we are the same.
So, I think
we have a totally different
view of Japan.
Some people maybe believe
Japan took Okinawa,
like the Okinawa War.
Maybe some people
do.
But, I don't think so.
I don't think so.
I don't think so.
In the Sengoku period,
when the government changed,
from Edo to Meiji,
in Ryukyu,
there was always Okinawa.
In Ryukyu,
there is a saying that
Ryukyu is not called Ryukyu.
So, I think
there is a difference
between Okinawa and Meiji.
日本人との関係
Maybe there is a
division of power.
I think so.
From that point of view,
it's more interesting.
Yeah, I agree.
I feel
more Japanese.
When I talk to you.
Yeah.
I'm 60% Japanese.
Wait, wait.
You are half Japanese.
No, I'm 60% Okinawan.
You change too fast.
40% Japanese,
60% Okinawan.
I changed my mind.
After the conversation.
Yeah.
Anyway,
Maru no...
How can I say?
Fukuho-gata is not like this.
It's like this.
So,
I can change my mind
depending on that day.
But,
against Japan,
we used to be
not Japan.
In this day and age,
I don't think
it's a good idea
to make it so strong.
More than that,
I think it's better to
create a group of Japanese
to talk about
the problems in Okinawa.
Yeah, I agree.
Yeah.
Wow.
But,
I change my mind a little bit.
People who live abroad
often say
in the comments,
I never feel like I'm Japanese.
I always feel like
I'm Okinawan.
Yeah.
I think
沖縄のアイデンティティの探求
it's because of culture shock
or
based on your experience abroad.
I think so.
What do you think?
I think it's influenced by
their parents,
grandparents,
because people,
immigrants to Hawaii
or like Brazil,
they've been a struggle.
Like, they had a hard time.
And they're sending money to Okinawa
to support their family.
And then, Okinawa experienced a war
and Okinawa used to be under
America and under mainland.
They have a strong consciousness.
No matter what,
Okinawa is always isolated.
I mean,
it's always isolated.
There's an image
that Okinawa is always working hard.
So,
I don't think
the parents of immigrants
are trying to
teach their kids
how to love Japan.
I don't think so.
Either way,
Okinawa came from Okinawa.
Okinawa was like this.
Don't forget it's your home.
Yeah.
Plus, I don't know if it's Brazil or Hawaii,
but there's a culture and identity there.
So, I don't think they're not...
Maybe their parents
have a negative
towards mainland Japan.
Even we think
it has a dual identity.
Japanese and Okinawan.
We still think about it.
People grew up
overseas and they have
dual identity already.
American Okinawan
Brazilian Okinawan.
I don't think
Japanese Okinawans
are there anymore.
It's getting narrower.
Okinawa's network
is too strong.
For example,
Kenjinkai and Uchinanshitaikai
don't see Rui.
It's a movement
to build the strongest network.
So,
I don't think
Okinawa and Japan
have a dual identity.
Speaking of that,
depending on which generation
the parents are,
their identity might change.
When we become parents,
I feel like
our children's
Okinawan identity
might fade.
Because our parents' generation
had many experiences
being managed
by America, Japan,
or Okinawa.
We don't have Okinawa though.
It's probably affecting
our way of thinking
identity.
Not only us,
but other
same generation of us
probably don't think about
Okinawan identity too much.
Their children
probably don't
be affected
by us.
So,
it might be like that.
But
people living overseas
in Okinawa
have a strong
Okinawan identity.
Maybe more than
Okinawans living in Okinawa.
Like Urashima Taro.
Yeah.
It might be like that.
They might be able to
create an image of Okinawa.
Connecting the tradition
with their own team.
They are doing more than us.
The network
that 2nd and 3rd generation
are building
might exist in
a different world.
It will get stronger.
So,
maybe
for some people
about the research result
like
more than 60% people
say Okinawa and Japanese.
Maybe like
2nd and 3rd generation of us will think
what the fuck?
I don't know.
It depends on people.
Maybe the next generation
will think it's Okinawa.
It's possible.
According to the research
people live in Okinawa.
Maybe
2nd and 3rd generation
will think it's Okinawa.
I think it depends on
how you put it.
It's definitely
not Japanese.
It might be
a mix of
Okinawans and foreigners.
Yeah.
It's easier to think
as an identity.
Because it's not similar.
Japan and Okinawa
are similar a little bit.
For example, Brazil and Okinawa
has totally different culture
and background.
They should think about
they have more
chance to think about
what my identity is.
They probably feel more comfortable
to say being Okinawan and
Brazilian.
Not Japanese.
Yeah.
I want to say one thing.
We consider ourselves
Okinawans and Japanese.
But
2 weeks ago
I went to a soba shop in Ginza.
It was like
Japanese soba.
I was so impressed.
I felt like
I was a foreign tourist.
There are so many kinds of soba.
So
Japanese style soba
and Tokyo style soba
are totally different.
This one doesn't have soba powder.
I was like, this is real soba.
It's not like
Okinawan soba is fake.
It's real soba.
Because we don't have much
Japanese soba.
食文化の違い
Japanese soba place in Okinawa.
So
Tokyo style soba
or style of eating
soba is different from
Okinawan soba.
They have
stage step
to eat soba.
So cold, hot and
they bring like the broth.
They bring the broth and
drink it.
It's a totally different
food.
At that time
I felt less Japanese.
I didn't know
Japanese at all.
沖縄と日本のアイデンティティ
No matter how many times I ate
I didn't follow the rules.
I didn't know the name of the bad guy.
I was afraid to ask.
But Japanese people
are like
They follow the rules.
Yes.
It's totally different.
At that time
I felt like I was in my home.
I was embarrassed.
But when I went to Kyoto
with my friends from overseas
I became like
I'm fully Japanese.
This is our
traditional something.
I don't even know
what it is.
I understand.
It's the same but different.
If you have more
knowledge and experience
you will be able to live both.
Yes.
You continued
the story.
And
At the end
Okinawa
What is it?
It's not a summary but
there is an idea of Iwafuyu
who is said to be the father of Okinawa.
It is called
Nichiryu Dousoron.
Can I use it as a reference?
Okinawa's father
Iwafuyu
Okinawa's people and culture
have the same roots as
Japanese people and culture.
In Okinawa
there are old words
and customs
from the Nara period.
In other words,
Okinawa's unique culture
is connected to
Japanese culture.
In Okinawa's framework
Okinawa's uniqueness is
justified.
I tried to establish
Okinawa's identity together.
It is an approach to
keep Okinawa's unique culture
and language well
in the framework of Japan.
The influence of Iwafuyu
was very strong
on Okinawa's researchers and
intellectuals.
Even now,
this idea is
the most powerful.
It's a great idea.
Right?
Some people have
struggled and had
difficulties to
have many identities
such as Japanese,
Okinawan, and something.
I feel more like
it's our
advantage to have
many, like
more than two identities.
I think
it's really cool.
I think so.
I think so.
I agree.
While having two identities,
don't make two identities
against each other.
Champion them well.
Yes.
That's all.
That's all.
That's all.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
That's all.
That's all.
Bye-bye.
