Can Okinawa Escape the “Sacrificial System”? – Examining the Intersection of Collective Memory and Politics

This article explores Okinawa's ongoing status as a “sacrificial system,” wherein specific regions are exploited for national benefit, and the persistent challenges faced by Okinawans due to the disproportionate concentration of US military bases. The Battle of Okinawa is pivotal in understanding how collective memory shapes political identity, yet it remains largely a localized memory rather than part of Japan's national collective memory. This discrepancy is attributed to mainland Japan's selective memory politics, where the sacrifices of Okinawans have been marginalized to avoid challenging the narrative of postwar national identity. While memories such as the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings are institutionalized as symbols of national suffering, Okinawa's traumatic experience and anti‐base movement have largely been ignored. By analyzing the interplay between politics and collective memory, this study aims to highlight how Okinawa's experience has been shaped by systemic indifference and the political manipulation of memory, which has prevented its integration into Japan's broader national consciousness. This article argues that true peace and autonomy for Okinawa can be achieved only through recognizing its historical sacrifices at the national level and fostering solidarity across Japanese society. Ultimately, this research highlights the importance of integrating marginalized historical narratives into national memory to support democratic processes and collective identity in Japan.