ABOUT OKINAWA
It is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan and is a chain of
islands far to the South-West of Kyushu.
The name Okinawa means “rope in the open sea”, a fairly apt
description of this long stretch of islands between the four main islands of Japan
and Taiwan. The capital of Okinawa is
Naha.
Kyushu.
Okinawa comprises hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a
chain over 1,000 kilometres. It has a subtropical/ tropical climate. It does
not snow in Okinawa.
Unlike the other islands having the same climate i.e. Ogasawara
Islands, Amami islands and Tokarara Islands, there are frequent flights from
all the major cities of Japan, making Okinawa one of the main tourist
destinations for the Japanese and foreigners. One cannot ignore the beauty of
Okinawa evidenced by its hot springs, beautiful beaches and clear waters.
History
Okinawa is well known for its involvement in the World War II.
This is “the Battle of Okinawa”. It was the largest amphibious assault in the
Pacific War of the World War II. Its main use during the war was to serve as a
base for air operations on the planned invasion of Japanese mainland.
The battle has been referred to as てつぇのあめ (rain
of steel) in Japanese. The nickname refers to the ferocity of the fighting, the
intensity of the Kamikaze attacks from
the Japanese defenders and the sheer numbers of allied ships and armoured
vehicles that assaulted the island. Well the US and allies were victorious in
the war as we now it.
Kadena airbase, as it is called, was previously owned by the Japanese
but seized from them by the US. It still exists today as the biggest airbase
for the US in the whole of Asia.
Dispute has existed for years over the relocation of the
airbase, resulting to a number of protests staged by the locals. Up to date
however, the issue has not yet been sorted out with the US government adamant
to do so.
Since you now know in brief about this beautiful place, why
not make a point and visit it in future?
