Ryukyu independence movement
The or the Republic of the Ryukyus (Japanese: , Kyūjitai: , Hepburn: "Ryūkyū Kyōwakoku") is a political movement advocating for the independence of the Ryukyu Islands (commonly referred to as Okinawa after the largest island ) from Japan.

The current political manifestation of the movement emerged in 1945, after the end of the Pacific War. Some Ryukyuan people felt, as the Allied Occupation (USMGRI 1945–1950) began, that the Ryukyus should eventually become an independent state instead of being returned to Japan. From the 1950s through to 1972 however, many pushed for reunification with the mainland, hoping that this would hasten the end of the U.S. occupation (USCAR 1950–1972). The islands were returned to Japan on 15 May 1972 as the Okinawa Prefecture according to the 1971 Okinawa Reversion Agreement. The US-Japan Security Treaty (ANPO) signed in 1952 provides for the continuation of the American military presence in Japan, and the United States continues to maintain a heavy military presence on Okinawa Island. This set the stage for renewed political activism for Ryukyuan independence.

The Ryukyu independence movement claims both the 1609 invasion by Satsuma Domain and the Meiji construction of the Okinawa prefecture as colonial annexations of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It is highly critical of the abuses of Ryukyuan people and territory, both in the past and in the present day (such as the use of Okinawan land to host American military bases). Okinawa comprises only 0.6% of all Japanese territory, yet 75% of all United States military forces are stationed in U.S. facilities that take up 10.4% of Okinawa Prefecture i.e. 18.8-20% of Okinawa Island. U.S military personnel have been involved in many crimes committed in Okinawa, one of the most well-known being the 1995 Okinawa rape incident. The continued presence of the U.S. military remains a source of contention, especially against the Futenma Air Station. The U.S. military has failed to follow through on plans established in 1996 to reduce its presence. Independentists also emphasize the environmental impact of the American bases accepted by Tokyo.

Polls in the last two decades have consistently shown that although local identity remains salient, fewer than a quarter (and in some polls, less than 10%) of Ryukyuans support independence.
Q5287
Japanese
ORG
Q1147857
Kyūjitai
Concept
Q667558
Hepburn
Concept
Q10905515
Ryukyu Islands
LOC
Q766445
Okinawa
Concept
Q17
Japan
LOC
Q184425
Pacific War
EVE
Q1208167
Ryukyuan people
Concept
Q696251
Allied Occupation
EVE
Q55527
USMGRI
ORG
Q17
Japan
LOC
Q55526
USCAR
ORG
Q766445
Okinawa Prefecture
Concept
Q11553006
1971 Okinawa Reversion Agreement
EVE
Q694604
US-Japan Security Treaty
PER
Q30
United States
LOC
Q600614
Okinawa Island
LOC
Q676187
Satsuma Domain
LOC
Q3125096
Meiji
Concept
Q28025
Ryukyu Kingdom
LOC
Q2026758
1995 Okinawa rape incident
UNK
Q1031547
Futenma Air Station
LOC
Q905599
Ryukyu independence movement
Concept
1945-01-01T00:00:00Z^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime
1945
DATE
1945-01-01T00:00:00Z^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime
1945
DATE
1950-01-01T00:00:00Z^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime
1950
DATE
1972-01-01T00:00:00Z^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime
1972
DATE
1950-01-01T00:00:00Z^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime
1950
DATE
1972-05-15T00:00:00Z^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime
15 May 1972
DATE
1971-01-01T00:00:00Z^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime
1971
DATE
1952-01-01T00:00:00Z^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime
1952
DATE
1609-01-01T00:00:00Z^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime
1609
DATE
1995-01-01T00:00:00Z^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime
1995
DATE
1996-01-01T00:00:00Z^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime
1996
DATE
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1950
NUMBER
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1972
NUMBER
+0.6^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#decimal
0.6
NUMBER
+75^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#decimal
75
NUMBER
+10.4^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#decimal
10.4
NUMBER
+18.8^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#decimal
18.8
NUMBER
-20^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#decimal
-20
NUMBER
+10^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#decimal
10
NUMBER
country
country of origin
located in the administrative territorial entity
country
located on terrain feature
country
country
inception
signatory