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THE U.S. MILITARY OCCUPATION OF OKINAWA: POLITICIZING AND CONTESTING OKINAWAN IDENTITY 1945-1955 VOLUME I by David John Obermiller A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in History in the Graduate College of The University of Iowa May 2006 Thesis Supervisor: Professor Stephen Vlastos Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 3225658 Copyright 2006 by Obermiller, David John All rights reserved. INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleed-through, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. ® UMI UMI Microform 3225658 Copyright 2006 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Copyright by David John Obermiller 2006 All Rights Reserved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Graduate College The University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL PH.D. THESIS This is to certify that the Ph.D. thesis of David John Obermiller has been approved by the Examining Committee for the thesis requirement for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in History at the May 2006 graduation. Thesis Committee: >s, Thesis Supervisor David Arkush Colin Gordon mes Giblin Scott Schnell Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. To my best friend and my wife, Angie. ii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. “...the average Okinawan is a docile, rustic citizen who passively accepts the changes that have come to his way of life since [the] American occupation.” US Military Government (RYCOM) Pamphlet, Okinawa: 1946 iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS It goes without saying that the completion of a dissertation marks a significant milestone for any scholar. The ten plus years it took to bring this dissertation into fruition, coupled with copious amounts of “blood, sweat, and tears,” however, underscores this milestone. Numerous times the dissertation process often led me to question my sanity and came close several times to punting the entire project. Fortunately, unwavering support from a wide range of people and institutions, though one might have to question their sanity, allowed me to find the perseverance to complete the dissertation. A number of institutional grants enabled me to conduct the necessary research to complete this dissertation. Several grants and scholarships from the University of Iowa: the Aydelotte Fellowship and two Helen K. Fairall Fellowships, two Center for Asian and Pacific Studies Dissertation Research Fellowships, and a University of Iowa Student Government Student Research Grant played a key role in the preliminary stages of my dissertation research. In 1998, a timely grant from the Northeast Asian Council (NEAC) U.S. Domestic Research Grant allowed me to conduct research at the U.S. National Archives II as I became one of the first researchers to examine the recently declassified US occupation documents on Okinawa. Two grants from the Japan Foundation, the Japan Foundation Summer Language Postgraduate Fellow and the Japan Foundation Dissertation Research Fellow, provided over a year’s worth of archival and ethnographic research in Japan and Okinawa. A grant from the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) to participate in the Japan Studies Dissertation Workshop in Monterey, CA provided invaluable feedback and perspective on my project, not to mention expanding social and academic connections with other scholars in the field of Japanese studies. As no person is an island onto themselves, the solitary endeavor of a dissertation occurred in a supportive and nurturing context. My interdisciplinary M.A. in East Asian iv Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. studies complimented my historical trainings as the perspectives offered by anthropologist Mariko Tamanoi, Japanese religions specialist William Bodiford, sociologist Gi-Wook Shin, East Asian political scientist Chong Lim Kim laid the analytical groundwork my dissertation research. As a graduate student in the Department of History at the University Iowa many history professors provided a foundation of enlightenment and critical inquiry, but I would like to single out Emeritus Professors Lawrence Gelfand and Ellis Hawley for their efforts in enabling me to understand the nuances of U.S. foreign relations and U.S. history in the 20th century. While conducting research in Okinawa, countless individuals and institutions provided invaluable support and assistance. Unfortunately, the list of Okinawans who assisted me would require another chapter to the dissertation. I would, however, like to highlight a few individuals who played a key role during my time on Okinawa. At the Okinawa Prefecture Archives, the support staff demonstrated unflagging patience in dealing with my countless questions, especially Nakamoto Kazuhiko and Dr. Tony Jenkins. At the University of the Ryukyus, professors Hiyane Teruo and Yamazato Katsunori offered insightful perspectives on Okinawan perceptions of the occupation and attitudes toward Japan. Discussions and interviews with Miyazato Seigen, Arakawa Akira, and former governor of Okinawa, Ota Masahide were critical to my research and understanding of the multi-layered complexities of Okinawan postwar history. Although not an Okinawan, Edward Freimuth, who served many years in the occupation of Okinawa, offered incredible insights to the occupation that no archives could ever offer. My sponsor, colleague, and good friend, Gabe Maasaki and his family, made the year in Okinawa a memory that my family will never forget. Ishikawa Sachiko, at the University of the Ryukyus International House went beyond the call of duty in assisting my family as they adjusted to the rhythms of Okinawa. Last, my good friends at the International House, Stan, Dennis, and Valerie provided tremendous friendship and comic relief throughout the year. For everyone in Okinawa, ichaariba chodel v Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. At the University of Wisconsin-Superior, many colleagues offered unconditional commitment, which allowed me to be employed while finishing the dissertation. I had unbelievable and overwhelming support from colleagues across the campus, in particular from the Department of History, Politics, and Sociology (now the Departments of Social Inquiry & Department of Politics, Law and Justice). In the History Program, Priscilla Starratt, Karl Bahm, and Joel Sipress patiently offered support and encouragement that far exceeded the normal call of duty. Instrumental in making the final product that much better was the dissertation committee. Historians Colin Gordon and Jim Giblin offered outside perspectives that led me to think about my project in exciting new ways. Anthropologist Scott Schnell, also provided insightful comments, but more importantly, offered comradeship and friendship in the final stages of the dissertation. Above all else, two historians in particular were central to my maturation as a scholar during my fifteen long years as a graduate student. I was fortunate to have an instructor such as R. David Arkush, whose perspective, intellect, and support made my years as a graduate student memorable and rewarding. Finally, Stephen Vlastos, my primary advisor, and mentor offered years of unwavering friendship, support, and a critical context of inquiry that made the dissertation possible. The struggle to complete the dissertation certainly tested Stephen’s resolve, but he never let me quit and stood by me when most others would have run to the hills. I also have to acknowledge my responsibility for at least eighty percent of Stephen’s white hair that paradoxically developed during my dissertation. I can only hope I can provide the same type of nurturing and mentoring for my students that Stephen has done for me. In the end, friends and family provide the foundation for any successful dissertation. Chris Gerteis, my best friend, offered laughter, friendship, and a good kick in the pants (several) as we both struggled to finish our dissertations. My wife’s family, especially my parents-in-law, Dr. Richard and Dianne Londo, gave support in so many different ways. Richard’s interests in stamps proved to be critical for the dissertation as vi Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. he provided me with occupation stamps from Okinawa, for which I am forever grateful. My many Okinawan ( Uchinaachu ) relatives (the Tobaru $tJjfClan) opened their