News from the Peace For Okinawa Coalition

The Ryukyuan Island of Myaaku (Miyako) has canceled its traditional Paantu ritual for the second year in a row due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

Paantu is recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of the Ryukyu Islands. 

Ryukyuans / Okinawans are recognized as the Indigenous peoples of the Ryukyu Islands by the United Nations and many other NGO's and scholars around the world. However, Japan refuses to recognizes this since doing so would restore Ryukyu's independence, and Japan would no longer be able to force U.S. military bases into Okinawa and all of the Ryukyu Islands. 

Podcast:

"Okinawans call for independence at the United Nations." Podcast / audio version of the UN panel presentation (side event) titled "Demilitarizing the Pacific: Ryukyu (Okinawa), Mariana (Guam) and Hawaii," that originally aired 10 March 2021 at the UN Human Rights Council 46th session in Geneva, Switzerland. Sponsored by Incomindios, an NGO in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. Co-sponsored by the Koani Foundation and the Peace For Okinawa Coalition. Special thanks to OCW670 and the Ryukyu Independence Action Network. 

This presentation discusses Luchu (Okinawan) history, including the ongoing illegal occupation by both the U.S. and Japan. Also discussed are the issues relating to U.S. military bases in Okinawa, including the construction of the military base at Henoko. 

Speakers: 
Robert Kajiwara and Hoshin Nakamura

Hoshin Nakamura is professor emeritus of Okinawa University. He is Native Ryukyuan, and survived the Battle of Okinawa in 1945 in which at least one out of every four Okinawans were killed. Professor Nakamura has degrees in Asian Studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Seton Hall University. He taught history at Okinawa University for over 20 years, and has also taught at University of Maryland and University of the Ryukyus. Professor Nakamura has been involved in the Ryukyu independence movement for over five decades. Since 2019 he has been a frequent representative of Ryukyu / Okinawan rights at the United Nations. ​

Streaming on Buzzsprout, Spotify, Apple Music, Google, and many other podcast streaming sites. 

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1865871/9332433-okinawans-call-for-independence-at-the-un.mp3?download=true

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Bh0XJAb5lqXu9LCYdohzj

​https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rob-kajiwara/id1589158835

Podcast versions of interview between Rob Kajiwara and Alfred de Zayas discussing Luchu's (Okinawa's) right to independence, double standards in the human rights 'industry,' and more.

"Building a Just World Order"

Buzzsprout
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1865871/episodes/9323400


Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0nYRqsrILXVQdKeG1ik4hX?si=MJnrejBiTz6Nr9VZq1DnZw&dl_branch=1


Apple
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rob-kajiwara/id1589158835

Futenma Air Base - The U.S. military has an extensive history of poisoning Uchinaa's (Okinawa's) water, yet
Col. Neil Owens recently told Mayor Masanori Matsukawa of Jinoon (Ginowan) City that he "doesn't know" where the poison came from.

Link to article: ​https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/cia-julian-assange-kidnap-assasinate-1232546/

Presentation at the United Nations Human Rights Council 48th Session in Geneva, Switzerland, September 2021. Sponsored by Incomindios, an NGO in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. Co-sponsored by the Koani Foundation and the Peace For Okinawa Coalition.Special thanks to OCW670 and the Ryukyu Independence Action Network for their support.

This panel examines the harmful impact of U.S. militarism among Pacific Islanders, and focuses on three Indigenous island nations: Luchu (also known as Okinawa), the Mariana Islands consisting of Guam and the Northern Marianas, and the Hawaiian Islands. All of the participants in the panel are Indigenous to the Pacific.

Speakers:
Robert Kajiwara, Hoshin Nakamura, Leon Kaulahao Siu, Laulani Teale, Moñeka De Oro.