Today I found out that my personal hero's research facility 沖縄国際平和研究所 (okinawa kokusai heiwa kenkyuusho, Okinawa International Research Institute), which I went to before with the study tour, is only a 3-minute walk from my guesthouse. I kind of freaked out and immediately walked over. It was the staff's lunch break but he was so kind he offered to let me in anyway. I told him it was ok and went to get lunch myself at a コンビニ (konbini, convenience store) before returning.
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| sign for institute |
In the institute's museum I took quite some time collecting words, and marveling at the handbills especially. The staff spoke with me at length about Okinawa's economy since I expressed interest to him. He told me some interesting points:
1. Most businesses on International Street are mainland- or foreign-owned, so don't shop there. Okinawa has one of the lowest GDP per capita of all Japanese prefectures. Of course the businesses employ Okinawans, but the main profits of the businesses go to the mainland or abroad. I had been unaware of this so I will now advise people to buy their souvenirs elsewhere and from confirmed locally-owned shops if possible.
2. Most work in Okinawa is part-time, as there are few companies in Okinawa hiring full-time workers.
3. Many Okinawans don't have adequate health insurance so they don't visit the doctor. The health system on the mainland is really incredibly good. But since most work in Okinawa is part-time, the health benefits are lousy.
4. Most businesses in Okinawa are actually mainland-owned. So, growth of Okinawa's economy is very difficult.
As a side note, one of the most prevalent American arguments for US bases being helpful to Okinawa is that the bases provide Okinawan business opportunities, since soldiers shop in areas surrounding the bases frequently. The information that most businesses are mainland-owned, however, means that this argument has a basic logical flaw: the assumption that the businesses catering to US bases are Okinawan-owned and mean Okinawan profit.
There was another visitor at the museum, and I spoke briefly with her and the staff before I ran back to my guesthouse to get my notebook for a signature from the former governor. I had forgotten at the other meeting I had with him, so I came back and asked the staff if I could leave it for him to sign. Apparently the former governor was in his office, though, so the staff got him to meet with me a second time briefly. Not only did he sign my notebook but he gifted me two English books sold at his office and signed them as well. He told me he hoped they would help me understand Okinawa's situation. I was ecstatic.
The staff and I returned to the museum area of the institute and spoke about bombs used by the US during the Battle of Okinawa with the other visitor. She and I also began to talk and she offered to show me around Okinawa the day after tomorrow since she has a car and can drive me around. I was very happy to make new friends with Sumiko.
After leaving the museum I went to a mall near Kenchomae Station, and got ソーキそば (souki soba, pork spare rib soba) for dinner. I recommend this soba, the meat is usually soft and delicious. I also found that the mall has a fair international beer section. I grabbed a beer from Japanese brewery, Baird Beer, I have never tried. The beer itself is Shimaguni Stout. It had the flaw many dark beers in Japan seem to have: they taste watered-down and just don't have a full body. On the upside though, it was pretty decent otherwise and I enjoyed it.
Saw some things on the way back from the mall.
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| shisa outside of Naha City Hall |
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| Naha City Hall |
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| found what I think is a loud right-wing vehicle |
Here's the beer I tried.
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| Shimaguni Stout |
I didn't travel far today, but I feel like I accomplished a lot.
