Though the sentences were said to be average given the circumstances of the crime, Okinawans were furious. Rage soon raced across Okinawa. We've had enough human-rights violations and we have no intention of letting them go on any longer. Behind the movement is more than just anger at the U.S. military presence. Increasingly, Okinawans are directing their fury at Tokyo.
Some islanders feel the national government has failed to protect their interests.
Others wonder whether they would be better off completely severing ties with a capital 1,500 km away. Anger against Japanese rule runs right to the top. Ota says he is not pushing for total independence, a move that he says would be irresponsible. But others are eager to take the next step. The elder statesman of the islands' newly invigorated independence movement, Arakawa began agitating against Tokyo even before Okinawa reverted from American to Japanese rule in 1972.