The beginning of the 19th century saw the western nations expand nation by nation into Asia. The national seclusion policy was abandoned in Japan and a modern state was established. As part of that process, the Ryukyu Kingdom was incorporated into Japan and the monarchy that had ruled the islands for 500 years was dissolved.
The Disposition of the Ryukyus
What the future held for the newly established Okinawa Prefecture was down a tumultuous road. Perhaps because of the difference in systems and customs there was a deeply rooted resentment of the old ruling class and the Meiji government in Tokyo. Because of this the Meiji Government adopted the "Ancient Customs Preservation Policy" toward the Ryukyus for the time being.
According to this policy, the landholding system, taxation system, and local government system were all to remain as they were with no great or sudden reforms. This was to avoid any resistance that might come from the Okinawan side. However, the effect of the various policies toward Okinawa resulted in the prefecture falling behind in modernization in comparison to other prefectures and caused the citizens of Okinawa hardships.
The move toward standardizing education to the mainland Japanese standards, along the lines of the Imperial Rescript on Education, began to be thoroughly carried out in the latter half of the 19th century, after the Sino-Japanese War. Subsequent to this, the inexperienced Okinawans were forced into battle in the Russo-Japanese War as members of the Japanese army.
Okinawa's Civil Rights Movement
Reformation of Old Customs and Abolition of Special Institutions
The economic climate in this period of time was that of serious recession. In Okinawa as well, from the latter part of the Taisho Era (1912-1926) to the beginning of the Showa Era (1926-1988) there was widespread economic panic. In this time Okinawans suffered what has been termed the "Cycad Hell", from a type of poisonous palm the people were forced to process and eat to avoid starvation. Many Okinawans opted instead for emigration to mainland Japan and overseas to foreign countries.
Life in Okinawa During the "Cycad Hell"
As the Showa Era opened, Japanese plans for imperialistic expansion into Asia widened and Okinawa was positioned as the advance base for the defense of the mainland. In March of 1945 it was on the Kerama Island group in Okinawa Prefecture that US Military forces landed and Okinawa entered into the tragic days of the Battle of Okinawa. The Battle of Okinawa resulted in the sacrifice of many people and it can be said to be symbolic of modern Okinawan history shared with mainland Japan.