The Destiny of Tida: Okinawa's Enduring Struggle

53 years after reversion, Okinawa—scarred by the Pacific War’s final battles and U.S. occupation—still hosts about 70% of U.S. military facilities. Its governor, torn between governance and public will, constantly confronts the Henoko base issue. With broad support, Masahide Ota and Takeshi Onaga battled Tokyo in court. Why did these former rivals come to share words and paths? What did they fight, lose, and achieve? The path of the leader called “Tida” (Sun) mirrors Japan’s contradictions.