Okinawa is well known as a prefecture of emigrants. More Okinawans, also known as Uchinanchu, have immigrated to other countries in the world before and after World War II than from any other prefecture in Japan. They have established communities abroad, but have retained strong bonds that continue to tie them to Okinawa through global networks.

In October 2006, over 4,900 people from twenty-one countries around the world came to Naha, Okinawa to attend the 4th Worldwide Uchinanchu Taikai (festival). The Uchinanchu Taikai is a very unique event that allows Uchinanchu from all over the world to return to the islands to reconnect with their heritage and culture, and to redevelop linkages to their ancestral land.

Approximately 800 participants completed a survey conducted by the Center for Migration Studies at the University of the Ryukyus at the Taikai to find out how Okinawans connect with each other beyond the island borders.

On March 1, 2008, three professors from the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa presented their survey findings at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, California. Following their presentations, they were joined by Yuko Yamauchi of the Okinawa Association of America and Wesley Ueunten of San Francisco State University for brief presentations and a discussion about Uchinanchu Identity and the future of the global network with scholars and the local community in Los Angeles.

Following the program, a reception was hosted by Lane R. Hirabayashi, George & Sakaye Aratani Endowed Chair of the Japanese American Internment, Redress, and Community, Asian American Studies Department of the University of California at Los Angeles which featured light refreshments and cultural performances.

This event was organized by the Center for Migration Studies at the University of the Ryukyus and the Japanese American National Museum in collaboration with Lane R. Hirabayashi, George & Sakaye Aratani Endowed Chair of the Japanese American Internment, Redress, and Community, Asian American Studies Department of the University of California at Los Angeles; and Okinawa Association of America, Inc.

A report of this program is available in Japanese: フォーラム通じ「ウチナーンチュの交流」呼びかける

このコレクションの日本語版はこちらです。
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