Perspectives

Following Futenma fiasco, defining phrase 'heart of Okinawa' grows harder

The phrase, "the heart of Okinawa," frequently appears in newspapers. This term is used even though it is unreasonable to bracket all 1.39 million residents of Okinawa under one catchphrase. Its usage is apparently due to Okinawa's tragic history of being invaded by Japan during the Edo Period even though it had prospered as an independent kingdom, and was then separated from Japan's mainland following a fierce ground battle at the end of World War II and placed under the rule of another nation.

Newspaper reporters have asked successive Okinawa governors about their interpretation of the phrase, "the heart of Okinawa." Their interpretations have obviously shown Okinawa's position in Japan and the world and Okinawa residents' philosophy of the times.

The late Junji Nishime, who served three four-year terms as governor after working as a member of the House of Representatives, showed a unique interpretation of the term that is particularly remembered by the public.

"I understand 'the heart of Okinawa' means the feelings of Okinawa people who want to be yamatonchu (a word in the Okinawa dialect that refers to residents of mainland Japan) but can't," he said. He implied the sadness of Okinawa residents who were wavering between their aspiration to assimilate with residents of Japan's mainland and their identity as Okinawans. His deep wording is respectable.

Masahide Ota described the heart of Okinawa as "the heart of longing for peaceful coexistence." He was serving as governor when U.S. servicemen stationed in Okinawa assaulted a young girl, sparking anti-U.S. base sentiment in the prefecture. His phrase reflects his experiences of being conscripted by the military during the war and of seeing living hell on battlefields.

Keiichi Inamine, who became governor by beating Ota in an election, described the phrase "heart of Okinawa" as people having "a tolerant heart." His phrase lacks the sadness shown by Nishime, but rather shows Okinawa residents' confidence, and pride in the region's uniqueness amid the Okinawa boom triggered by sports and pop stars, such as professional golfer Ai Miyazato and singer Namie Amuro.

Incumbent Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima put his hands on his head when asked how he interpreted the phrase "the heart of Okinawa" at a news conference immediately after he took office. He then said, "Please give me some time to think about it."

It is undoubtedly a difficult question. When he was asked the same question at a news conference in May last year, he said, "My answer can probably be drawn by adding three interpretations by former governors." A columnist for a local newspaper expressed disappointment at his remarks, saying, "The governor sidestepped the question."

One cannot help but wonder how he would answer this question now as the national government's plan to relocate U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma out of Okinawa Prefecture has failed.

The governor will certainly face exactly the same question on May 15, the anniversary of Okinawa's reversion to Japan. (By Teruhisa Mimori, News Department, Kyushu Head Office)

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