Debates over the use of “self-determination” and the term “Ryukyuan people” reflect evolving discourse surrounding Okinawa. This section examines international advocacy, local identity narratives, and their implications for Okinawan politics and media.

They refer to us Okinawan residents as the “Ryukyuan people” (laughs).
We are Japanese, though (laughs).
2018-01-16.
The following continues from the previous chapter.
Another point was that, of all places, the term “self-determination” was used at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
For many years I have reported on China’s ethnic issues, such as those involving Tibetans and Uyghurs, and when they present their grievances, they use precisely this term “self-determination.”
Governor Onaga argued as if Okinawa were in the same situation as Tibetans and Uyghurs, claiming that “the right to self-determination cannot be exercised.”
I was truly astonished.
Is the issue of “the right to self-determination” that the governor mentioned there something that is commonly discussed in Okinawa?.
Ganaha.
Within Okinawa, such activities are conducted out of sight.
Recently, they are trying to bring them from invisible places into visible ones.
The phrase “Ryukyu independence” has begun to appear, and I think this is a sign of that.
They refer to us Okinawan residents as the “Ryukyuan people” (laughs).
Even though we are Japanese (laughs).
To be continued.