Okinawa: Occupation & Resistance Webinar

For over seven decades, the U.S. military has maintained a massive presence in Okinawa—occupying land, polluting the environment, and endangering local communities in the name of “security.” Today, this occupation is increasingly justified by Washington as a response to the perceived “China threat,” escalating tensions in the region while deepening the burden on Okinawan people.

This webinar will examine the devastating human and ecological costs of U.S. militarism on the island, from toxic PFAS contamination and noise pollution to sexual violence and political disenfranchisement. Okinawan voices have long demanded justice, demilitarization, and sovereignty—demands consistently ignored by both Washington and Tokyo. Join us as we unpack the history and ongoing consequences of this occupation and discuss what solidarity and accountability can look like today.

Speakers

Joseph Essertier is an associate professor at the Nagoya Institute of Technology, a scholar of modern Japanese literature, an editorial board member of the Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus, and an international human rights advocate.