In this paper, first, I consider Ryukyu, widely known as Okinawa, to be a Japanese colony in a historical, political, and economic context. My argument is based on national theories as developed by Plato, Hermann Heller, and Will Kymlicka. By analyzing the meaning behind the U.S. military relocation from Ryukyu as well as the Restoration of Sovereignty Day, I pose the question, is it possible to talk about justice in Ryukyu?
Next, I present evidence on how Ryukyuans could regain their sovereignty, building upon the philosophical thought of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and international law. I further discuss how Ryukyuans have been constituted as subjects of decolonization, employing Kimlicka’s concept of national minorities. I argue that Ryukyuans have the right to rebuild their state and that their struggle for independence is an integral part of the global decolonization movement.
Finally, bearing in mind that Ryukyu has recently become a battlefield again, its independence is a necessary choice in order to achieve peace. The latter is also the main objective of the Association of Comprehensive Studies for Independence of the Lew Chewans (ACSILs), which facilitates interdisciplinary discussions about the independence of Ryukyu by bridging academic research and independence movements.
