Top 5 Expropriated Islands that Should Be Returned to the Original Inhabitants (Notes from Under the Tatami Mats–15 … My Adventures in Japan)
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“The Japanese stole Hokkaido, stole Okinawa, and rented Hawaii, on a long-term basis.”
For millenia, Japan consisted largely of the 3 homogenous populations on the islands of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. In the late 1800s, however, Japan entered the modern world. And it began to do what many other nation-states do.
It stole the northern island of Hokkaido from the indigenous Ainu, stole the southern islands of Okinawa from the indigenous Ryukyuan people, and rented Hawaii from the non-indigenous Americans (on a long-term basis, apparently).
You belong to us. And we’ll take your land, too.
The northern Ainu and the southern Ryukyuans are minority groups. However, the official Japanese stance is that neither the Ainu nor the Ryukyuans are minorities.
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Could that be a coincidence?
Apparently the Ryukyuans are anthropologically related to the Ainu. Assuredly, they are quite different from the Japanese in terms of language, cuisine, culture, religion, ethnic identity, tradition, and more. However, after the Japanese annexed Okinawa in the Meiji Era, the Japanese invaders worked to stifle the language, culture, and traditions of the Ryukyuans – just as they had done with the Ainu.
Could that be a coincidence? (Image source)![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmSYCjnoWmWHRwCkVMVxRTSoCfx1iXmkp7sb2919wxySvK/image.png)
We come in peace. We bring money.
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Top 4 Brilliantly Novel Uses of Concrete, Concrete, and More Concrete
Top 3 Ineffective Anti-Terrorism Measures
Top 3 Dirty Politicians and Bureaucrats
... and more
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Links to my Other Series …
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Guide – "Guide to Entries" (right-click on title)
Index– "Index" to all Chapters and Sections (right-click on title)
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Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2" (right-click on title)
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Well some would just call it globalization, those two small "states" could not survive and progress on their own if left to themselves.
" the Europeans stole America" / The Europeans stole the world/"
The funny thing is China wants some small islands that they claim were " theirs", ( Japan claims the same) China is so friggin big, I wonder why they wanna take up some small little island ( oh strategic placement in case of war, and very low possibility of oil.)
I see your point, and agree with your contention that the Europeans stole massive tracts of land and the resources therein. Such theft of land continues, by various states.
As for whether or not such smaller states could survive and thrive if left to their own devices, that is a moot point. It all depends on leadership, vision, goals, diligence, etc.
Look at Singapore. It was expelled from Malaysia, and left on its own .... a tiny island nation in the middle of nowhere with few resources and not much expectation of success. But it took advantage of its location on shipping routes and of its human resources, to become the most successful nation on earth. Bar none. Within the space of a few decades.
As for those rocky atolls in the "East Asian" ocean, I've been reading about that for over 2 decades. And yes, you hit the nail on the head. Nobody really wants those islands, they just want the strategic advantages they provide.
Hell, even the good ol USSA will do what it can to maintain control of the Pacific. Its "Pivot to Asia" is clear evidence of that.
I hope the culture and the tradition of the Ainu and Ryukyuans is still alive. It is so sad to read in history when a stronger nation not only takes over the land, but also forces the people to change and adapt to their way of living.
I firmly believe that culture , tradition and religions of a particular land were made for that particular tribe to adapt to the climate, environment and surroundings of the land. However due to urbanization and wars many cultures beneficial to humankind have vanished.
As for Hawaii, as the picture shown by you in this article shows happy women waving their hands, women of Japan might have used this as a tourist place to find men to their liking as most of the Japanese men nowadays are financialy unstable.
Good points. Indigenous culture has as much value as our developed global culture. Unfortunately, global culture predominates and often stifles the indigenous cultures.
As for your final point, I refer to that issue of "tourism" in Tatami Mat #37. That will come in a month or two.
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We infact should not interfere