Geography

Okinawa is the most southwestern prefecture of Japan. The Ryukyu Islands, a chain of more than 60 islands in the western Pacific Ocean, are part of Okinawa. The total land area is larger than Tokyo and the inhabitable land area is larger than Kyoto. Its slender shape measures I 35 kilometers long and 4 - 28 kilometers wide. Okinawa Island is the largest and most important island of the Ryukyu Islands. Naha, the capital city, is on this island. The Ryukyus include the Okinawa Islands, and the Sakijima Islands consisting of Miyako, Yaeyama, and Senkaku. There are also single islands such as Kita Daito, Minami Daito, and Oki Daito. Okinawa has a tropical climate with little seasonal change. It is characterized by long summers, rapid weather changes, and typhoons.

Industry & Economy

Due to coral reefs and geographical isolation, along with vast U.S. military bases and other installations on the island, Iittle land is left for farming. Thus the prefectural economy depends largely on U.S. military spending. The percentage of Okinawa's total revenue which comes from the service industry is the highest in the nation. The same is true for the percentage of people involved. Very little rice and few vegetables are grown, the main crops being pineapples and sugar cane.

Cultural Background

The people of Okinawa are racially and linguistically the same as the rest of Japan. However, the culture has developed differently because of isolation from the main islands. Taiwan, China, and the South Sea islands are close neighbors. Okinawa has suffered many historic tragedies. They were under dynasty control from the 12th century, then the isolation policy by the Edo government, dual control by the Satsuma clan and the Ming Dynasty of China. and the policies of the Meiji government. Governmental discrimination continued, followed by the fierce battles at the end of WW II, and the 27-year occupation by the US. Okinawa still carries scars from its past.

Religious Milieu

The result of a survey shows that 1.7% of the population are Buddhist believers and 0.3% Shintoists. Unlike other prefectures, traditional Buddnism and Shintoism are not rooted here. Instead, popular folklore beliefs based on ancestor worship are integral parts of the Okinawan's life. They include ceremonies and religious events with religious virgins called "Yuta" and "Noro" conducting incantations. These beliefs are closely related to "Monchu," a communal kinship society, which is a large obstacle to spreading the gospel.

The Mission

The first Protestant missionary here was Rev. Bettelheim who arrived in Naha Bay in May, 1846. His work included Bible translation. Okinawa became a foothold for the missionary work in the other islands. After the country became open to the outside, Okinawa ceased to be a needed stepping-stone, and was somewhat neglected. The occupation by the United States and presence of the US military became a blessing in disguise because it helped to spread the gospel here. The percentage of church members to population and Sunday worship attendance to the population are three times higher than the national average.