![]() ![]() The Japanese imperial state largely failed to protect the island’s population from this violence as a matter of fact, the military showed little mercy towards its own subjects.Īccounts of the Imperial Japanese Army’s (IJA) brutality include stories of soldiers using locals as human shields and exposing Okinawans to violent US airstrikes and firing lines. The battle destroyed about 90 per cent of the island’s infrastructure and claimed an estimated 150,000 civilian lives - about half of the island’s total population at the time. The Battle of Okinawa was one of the most destructive episodes of the Second World War. Reflecting on this battle sheds light on the ongoing exclusion of Okinawan voices in Japan. Though the battle ended in June 1945, an ongoing struggle over historical memory and commemoration continues. Okinawa is hailed as a top tourist destination for its tropical climate and seafaring culture, yet a deep dive into its past unveils a dark history encapsulated by the Battle of Okinawa. The ongoing battle for historical memory in Okinawa 20 November 2021Īuthors: Andre Kwok and Nathanael Kwon, ANU ![]() ![]() Economics, Politics and Public Policy in East Asia and the Pacific ![]()
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