Human Rights and Community Development in a U.S. Army Village in Okinawa
Abstract
This article examines how community development has contributed to partially reclaiming human rights in a village in central Okinawa. Yomitan Village has been living with active U.S. military bases for more than sixty years since the end of World War II. Its ‘village revitalization’ movement since the 1980s has successfully resisted the expansion of U.S. military trainings by constructing a ‘cultural village’ that integrates economic, spiritual, ecological and creative aspects of community living. Against the enthusiasm for modernisation led by the construction boom in the 1970- 80s Japan and Okinawa, Yomitan Village has deliberately revitalised a village of farming, traditional arts and crafts: an antithesis to the military’s culture of war and destruction. Ironically, Yomitan today is a popular temporary dwelling site among U.S. military members and other ‘expats’ attracted by the idyllic landscape and unique culture.
Citation
Source Title
ISSN
School
Remarks
©Copyright 2010 New Community Quarterly Inc.
Collection
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Koczberski, Gina; Curry, George; Warku, J.; Kwam, C. (2006)This report presents the findings of a socio-economic study conducted in six coastal villages in Kimbe Bay, West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. From west to east around the Bay the study villages were Kulungi, ...
-
Paetyangkul, Sirinart (2011)This study focuses on how officials and villagers communicate with regard to government policy, especially in relation to sufficiency living stated in the national development plan of Thailand, which is set as a fundamental ...
-
Stephens, John (2004)The Perth Drill Hall located in Francis Street, Perth, Western Australia is an extraordinary military building consisting of a large open space covered with an immense and peculiar curved truss roof. Constructed in 1896 ...