Discrimination between Japan and Okinawa?

Question

I mean between the mainland Japanese and the Okinawans, is there any discrimination or dislike between each other? I heard of it but I'm not sure.

Answer 1

Given that Okinawa is the only region of Japan to have an independence movement, it's an inescapable fact.
Obviously there is lingering resentment by Okinawans due to the fact that about one third of Okinawan civilians were killed during the war, many by Japanese soldiers for daring to consider surrender. It's also a fact that Okinawa bears the brunt of the US military presence in Japan, and they resent the Japanese government for not trying harder to spread the burden around Japan. Given that the US military packed up and left Subic when asked politely, the same thing could happen in Okinawa if the political will existed in Tokyo. It's also a fact that aside from entertainers, Okinawans don't really seem part of mainstream life on the main islands. There may be reasons besides discrimination for it, but you don't really hear of too many Okinawans who have "high-up" positions in Japanese society. There has been a prime minister from rural Niigata, but none from Okinawa.

On the other hand I think most Okinawans would acknowlege that they are economically better off under Japanese rule than American. The US invested very little in Okinawa as they figured they would hand it back sooner or later, but the Japanese goverment has built it's typical lavish infrastructure in Okinawa. Those ports, airports, roads, etc. have been what have facilited properous fisheries, agriculture and tourism in Okinawa.

Answer 2

I have lived in Okinawa and Tokyo. Okinawa used to be a independent kingdom called 'ryukyu' (琉球王国)
But Japan, 'satuma' it was called in those days invaded Okinawa and made it part of Japan.
They don't hate each other I suppose... but when we talked about that in class in Okinawa, everyone turns t glares at me for a second, awkward I know, because I am from Tokyo. I guess they have that sort of hate.
Hope I helped!

Answer 3

Yes there were obvious discrimination or prejudice, not only before WW2 but also (probably) until late 80s.
In the post WW2, their life was very poor under the US occupation and a portion of people moved to main-island of Japan, to find a job or new life. Some were temporally, some others are permanently. Osaka was one of the popular city of Okinawan immigrants. I heard they saw there were "No Okinawan" signs at restaurants. It is like "No Foreigners" and "Japanese only" signs of today.
However, situation changed after Amuro Namie, Okinawan singer, became popular around 1993-94.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k228/_files/amuro.jpg
And "Shimauta" sung by The Boom, Japanese band, with Okinawan melody made a mega hit around this time. These made Okinawa more popular.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFSDyM8whtk
And also Okinawa Travel Campaigns by airline companies, JAL, JAS (consolidated with JAL now) and ANA, were started at the same time. The campaigns have been held every year and continued until today. Lots people choose Okinawa for their travel destination now.
http://www.jal.co.jp/okinawa/pc/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPrmxIOB3Z0

BTW, michinoku's answer is misleading. There were a few independence movement when Okinawa was returned to Japan (it's practically zero today), but some anti-US movements (Koza Riot in 1970 was famous).
Most of the movements and demonstration parade held at that time (around 1972) were with the slogan of "Reversion to Japan" (祖国復帰).
This is why the situation of Okinawa to Japan is very different from Taiwan and Tibet to China. There no need VISA and no permit for both Japanese and foreign travelers. You can fly to Okinawa very easily.
The feeling of resentment or dislike was/is rather towards the US and the attitude of Japanese government, but not for Japan or Japanese.

Answer 4

I live in Okinawa. I can get information about this.
We Okinawan people have been discrimination from japanese goverment for long time.They thinks Okinawa just a ornamental garden stone.

Answer 5

Yes, they both hate each others guts. Okinawa use to be an independent kingdom.

Answer 6

There is nothing like that. Okinawa is a part of Japan.