The Study Of Ryukyu Independence Movement

Ryukyu islands is a chain of islands in the western Pacific, located east of mainland China, on the northeast limit of Taiwan in China and to the southwest of the island of Kyushu in Japan. The 12 century saw the emergence of three kingdoms on the islands:Chuzan, Nanzanand Hokuzan. And this period is known as the "Sanzan Period" historically. The three kindoms became the tributary states of China continusly. In 1429, the king of Chuzan completed the unification of the three kingdoms and founded one Ryukyu Kingdom, but as a tributary state, the kingdom still had to pay tribute to China.After almost 200 years since the founding of Ryukyu Kingdom, Japan, attempting for expansion, began eating away its territory gradually. In 1609, the Japanese Satsuma invaded Ryukyu with armed troops and imprisoned the king at the Kagoshima. They forced the people tribute to Japan and annexed the northern part of Ryukyu. From then on, the kingdom became a tribute state of both China and the Satsuma. This periond was called "dual subordination ".In the late 19 century, Japan increased its national power repaidly after the Meiji Resteration. Not satisfied with the"dual subordination ", Japan determined to dominate Ryutyu.In 1879, regardless of the oppsition of China, Japan replaced Ryukyu with Okinawa Prefecture, formally annexing Ryukyu. Ryukyu was forced into Japan's territory. This was called Ryukyu Action by Japan. However, the Qing government never recognized the occupation of Ryukyu by Japan.At the end of World Warâ…¡, a fierce war burst out on Ryukyu islands between Japan and America, called "the battle of Okinawa". This battle had a devastating effect on the Okinawan people. The campaign ended in victory for the United States. Ryukyu got out of the Japanese control temporarily. From the end of World Warâ…¡to the 1970s, Ryukyu was under the actual control of America. In 1972, however, disregard of the opposition by China Taiwan authorities, the U.S. government handed over the "executive power" of Ryukyu to the Japanese government, and Japan took appropriation of Ryukyu again.As to the Ryukyu issues, Chinese scholars used to study them from the Sino-Japanese and Sino-Ryukyu relations. Regarding issue of Japan's annextion of Ryukyus, scholars tend to pay attention to the responses and failure made by the successive Chinese governments when dealing with "the Ryukyu issues". Other scholars may discuss the impact on the Sino-Japanese relations and the political situation in East Asia made by the "Ryukyu issues". But few would stand on the Ryukyu's point to study the Okinawans'struggles against the Japanese invasion, the tremendous cost they have paid and the unyielding national spirit. Of course, due to the weakness of Ryukyu, the struggle against Japanese invision was quite limited, having little decisive impact on the overall. But their struggle reflects the mindset of the people as well as their will. The idealogical tredency and their struggle experiences are particularly important today when national-self determination are attached with popular attention.The historical research on the Ryukyu issues is adequate, but subject to the Japanese domastic political pressure, the research needs much to be improved. Meanwhile, due to the language and the international relations, the scholars of the Ryukyu are not known by the people, causing great regret. From a Chinese perspective,this article attempts to restore the history when the Okinawan fought against Japanese annexation demanding liberty, autonomy and independence. This article also attempts to make up for a lack of research in this area and awake people's concern for Ryukyu. In addition, by exploring the long ignored details this article uses historical facts to expose the evil aggression of Japan and support the just struggle of the Ryukyu people. It also offers historical basis and references for China to effectively deal with the East China Sea issue.From the perspective of historical development of Ryukyu, "Satsuma Invasion", "Ryukyu Action", "Ryukyu Disposal", "the return of Okinawa", all the above events are important turing points for the relationships between Ryukyu and Japan, and also an important part of Ryukyu history. In the historical periods above, the Ryukyu people had unyieldingly struggled and took all measures for national independence and liberty. While their justice struggle was received brutal repression of Japan, their stories make the newcomers awe. In the long run, Ryukyu is still a disputed areas, and its futrue derection is still uncertain.From a Chinese perspective, this article uses historical analysis, literature interpretation and other research methods to restore the Okinawa people's history of struggle against Japanese annexation based on sufficient information and clear historical facts and focused on the ownership of Ryukyu for almost 100 years.