Postwar Okinawa / The New Life of Okinawa 1/3

Rebirth of Okinawa Prefecture

In January 1972 Japanese Prime Minister Sato and American President Nixon held consultations and decided on May 15, 1972 as the day of reversion.
The Government of the Ryukyus established the "People's Council on Restoration Issues" to advise the Chief Executive. They studied summaries of the reversion policies of both Japan and America. Chief Executive Chobyo Yara received the report and petitioned both governments, finally writing a petition submitted to an extraordinary session of the Diet entitled the "Recommendations Regarding Reversion" emphasizing the theme of "immediate, unconditional, and complete reversion." On the day of submission of the recommendations a vote was forced on the reversion agreement and it was approved by the Diet.
On May15, 1972, after twenty-seven years of U.S. rule the islands of Okinawa reverted back to Japan. The terms of reversion were a far cry from the hopes of the residents of Okinawa, but, return to the sovereignty of the nation of Japan but reversion was none the less accomplished.


Reversion Demonstration
To start the new life of Okinawa Prefecture the Japanese government held commemorative services in Tokyo and Okinawa. The Tokyo ceremonies were held at the Budokan and Prime Minister Sato, U.S. Vice-President Agnew , and Lt. Gen. J. P. Lampert were in attendance. The ten thousand people there celebrated the new life of Okinawa Prefecture..
In Okinawa Prefecture the ceremonies included an address by Governor Yara, a man who had experienced the full bitterness involved with this day because of the various issues surrounding the reversion, including those of the U.S. military bases on Okinawa.
The Okinawa Reversion Council, which had promoted the reversion effort, opened a general meeting in Naha's Yogi Koen Park on the day of reversion and adopted a resolution opposing the reversion. On the other hand, the Okinawa Executive committee organized a celebratory meeting in Naha City on the night before the reversion.

Return Continue