Historically, they were within the Chinese cultural orbit. Their food, clothing, music to this day, you see Chinese influences. Karate came to Japan from them (via kungfu from China). The Japanese samurais had so mistreated them and disarmed them, that the Chinese taught them kungfu to fight back (weaponless, with the hands and feet). During WWII, the loyalty of the Okinawans was often questioned by the Japanese and they did horrible things to the native Okinawans (ie forced suicides).

Okinawans don't mind Chinese ships passing through their waters because they know Chinese have good intentions towards them based on past historical relationship. The east sea area should be jointly developed by Chinese/Okinawans/Ryukyuans and nobody else. Free the Okinawans!

Yeah bro its wrong to say the chinese taught them Karate and very very few styles of kung fu are based on the hard linear patterns of attack and defense found in the classic schools of Okinawan Karate. It is thought that Kempo was brought over by chinese traders and then after a while through practice of Kata they became to form seperate forms of Karate. Also if you think that they were fighting of armed soldiers with just their hands and feet you must be smoking that good $hit.

They had something called Kobudo. Not all Karate was trully empty hand. Anyways how do Okinawans feel about this now?

I know some Okinawans always feel they are not seen as truly Japanese. Not totally accepted

Really?
I know Okinawan dislike American but they don't really deny their Japanese connection.
http://www.ioe.sinica.edu.tw/chinese/semin...paper%203.1.pdf
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111...006.00343.x/pdf

These above papers will explain they're more closely associated with Japanese.

this thread should be called "free okinawans from america"

Okinawans should have a say in what they want: independence or a prefecture of Japan.

^ Thats' like saying Hawaii should be given their say if they want independence form the U.S.

indeed, American military bases occupy 18% of the island.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:US_milit..._in_Okinawa.svg

How about free the Taiwan?

Don't forget to mention in case of dispute between the two parties, there is no credible and impartial legal system to resort to. Good for the Chinese government, bad for the Okinawans.


I have a better proposition than yours. Since US base causes so much grievances, it can move to Taiwan. We have plenty of land in the eastern half. With US military relocated, Okinawans can better assess their relationship with Japan proper, if they wish to do so. As to "jointly develop something with somebody," if I were the Okinawan, I'd make sure I minimize the risk of being screwed. I'd try to prevent my rightful share of profit from being diluted.

Why American marines love Okinawa:

Among servicemen, the gaggles of pretty Japanese girls are a big reason that Okinawa ranks high on the "dream sheet," the list of desired stations for enlisted men, which usually includes Hawaii and the bases closest to their hometowns. Demetrius Young, 27, a black Marine corporal from Miami, has been stationed in Okinawa just a week and already: "I loooove Okinawa. Why? The ladies, they're all beee-yooo-tiful."
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/...00625-2,00.html

is there really that many good looking girls?

are okinawan girls any different from other Japanese girls?

what an abomination this is

SHAME

If you've seen any Okinawan girls in Hawaii, they look quite different... I mistake some of them for native Hawaiians.