Interview with Okinawan Activist Ryokichi Higashionna

Transcript:

Keita: You mentioned the Asian Exclusion Acts that prevented your mother from getting to Hawaii. When you went to study in Hawaii as a high schooler, did you feel any anti-Asian or anti-Japanese sentiment?

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Rick Higashionna: I left Okinawa in April 1948, right after finishing 6th grade, and arrived in Hawaii a month later at age 12. In Hawaii, I repeated 6th grade, went to middle school for two years, and then high school for three. Later, I studied civil engineering at the University of Hawaii. Throughout all of that, I never experienced any anti-Asian or anti-Japanese prejudice, not even when I continued my education in Illinois.

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Keita: How do you identify yourself, considering you were born in Okinawa but educated in the US and even served in the US Army?

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Rick Higashionna: I identify as an American from Hawaii. My connection to Okinawa is important, but Hawaii is home, and my identity has been shaped by my life here.

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Keita: What was your role as a soldier stationed in Okinawa when the US occupied the area?

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Rick Higashionna: I served from 1959 to 1962 as a second lieutenant in the US Army Corps of Engineers. My main job was to help provide clean, potable water to the people of Okinawa. We built dams, dug wells, set up water pumps, and collected rainwater in areas that needed it. It was crucial work, and I traveled all over the main island and the smaller ones to get it done.

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Keita: At the time of the US occupation, what were the prevailing sentiments among the Okinawan people about the American presence? Did you share those feelings?

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Rick Higashionna: Many Okinawans felt there were far too many American military bases on the island, especially compared to mainland Japan. Okinawa is only 1% of Japan’s total land area, yet it holds a disproportionate number of American troops. I shared that sentiment; it was impossible not to feel the impact of that overwhelming military presence.

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Keita: You mentioned the poor quality of education in Okinawa as a reason for leaving. Do you have any insights into why education in Okinawa has historically lagged behind that of mainland Japan?

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Rick Higashionna: When I left in 1948, education throughout Japan, not just Okinawa, was subpar compared to what I found in the US. Historically, Okinawa has faced unique challenges. The Satsuma Clan conquered Okinawa in 1607, and ever since, the region has been treated as somewhat separate, with less investment. The Tokugawa era policies also limited Okinawa’s interactions with other parts of Japan, which had long-lasting effects.

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Keita: Can you elaborate on your meetings with congressional representatives and military leaders about the US military presence in Okinawa?

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Rick Higashionna: In 1985, Okinawa’s Governor Nishime Junji asked me to set up meetings with the US Secretary of Defense and top military officials. With the help of Hawaii Senators Inouye and Matsunaga, we managed to arrange these in Washington, DC. Our main issues were relocating Futenma Marine Corps Station and reducing the number of American marines in northern Okinawa. Progress was made, but in recent years, environmental concerns have stalled plans, and we are still waiting for resolution.

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Keita: How do you define “ethnic” in the context of Okinawa, and how has it influenced your identity?

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Rick Higashionna: That’s a tough one. Ethnicity in Okinawa is complex because Japanese people originated from all over Asia, from places like China, Korea, and Southeast Asia. I’m an engineer, not an anthropologist, so I haven’t delved deeply into cultural heritage. But Okinawan identity is undeniably distinct, shaped by history and resilience.

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Keita: What are the highest priorities for the Okinawan people today, both politically and socially?

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Rick Higashionna: Reducing the American military presence remains a major priority. There’s a sense of betrayal because both the US and Japanese governments have failed to address Okinawa’s concerns adequately. The Okinawan people feel neglected, and resolving these issues requires both governments to work closely with Okinawan leaders.

 

Summary:

          In my interview with Mr. Higashionna, he shared his journey from Okinawa to Hawaii, where he pursued education and later served in the US Army Corps of Engineers. Despite facing historical barriers like the Asian Exclusion Acts, Rick experienced no anti-Asian prejudice in Hawaii or Illinois. His work in Okinawa during the US occupation focused on essential infrastructure, providing clean water across the islands. He spoke candidly about the long-standing frustrations of the Okinawan people, who feel burdened by the disproportionate number of US military bases on the island compared to mainland Japan. His involvement in advocacy, including arranging meetings with top US officials, underscores the ongoing struggle for Okinawan autonomy and recognition.

        Mr. Higashionna also reflected on the complexities of Okinawan identity, shaped by a history of external control and cultural diversity. While he identifies primarily as an American from Hawaii, he remains deeply connected to Okinawan issues. The interview highlighted the lasting impact of military occupation and the resilience of the Okinawan people in the face of political and social challenges.