This has been a hard week in the U.S., with shootings, demonstrations, more shootings, and lots of general sadness. I was asked by a Twitter user if Japan has any similar instances of social violence, and the answer I gave him is that no, Japan today is one of the most peaceful and blessed countries on Earth, with very in the way of violence of the kind we’ve seen recently. This was highlighted after the terrible earthquake and tsunamis of March 11, 2011, when instead of hoarding food or looting, Japanese maintained their famed polite order, patiently lining up to make purchases in shops even as the country was crashing down all around them. The closest thing Japan has seen to social unrest in recent decades were the surprisingly violent demonstrations by farmers after Japan’s government announced the location of the new international airport at Narita in 1971, which it did without securing the prior agreement of the residents, setting off a huge upheaval that left six dead.
One of the most interesting areas of Japan is Okinawa, the local version of Hawaii, and an important cultural bridge between Japan and the United States. A separate kingdom until it was annexed in 1609, Okinawa has a culture and language that’s distinct from Japan, though related. Because of its strategic location, the island saw some of the fiercest fighting in WWII, with 100,000 civilians killed, followed by 25 years spent as a U.S. protectorate before the island was returned to Japan by Richard Nixon. Currently the stress placed on Okinawans by the U.S. bases, along with occasional tragic events like a recent murder of a Japanese woman by a serviceman, are a delicate issue in Japan.
My own thoughts are that since Okinawa was not an aggressor toward other nations during WWII, they should not have to “pay the price” on behalf of the Japanese mainland by giving up 19% of their land to U.S. forces (though the bases are terribly important economically for the island, which is already Japan’s poorest prefecture). My proposed solution: move one of two of the bases from Okinawa to the Japanese mainland, in an area with falling population that could use the economic benefits the bases would bring. My pick would be Tottori Prefecture, on the Sea of Japan side across from Kyoto, which has just 580,000 residents. They could keep closer watch on North Korea from that location, too.
Something we love about the new Sonicomi: Communication with Sonico is the way it’s very interactive. As you move to help Sonico’s career, choosing shooting locations, outfits, hair styles and more to help her become a famous model (or idol, or nurse, or your wife…), you have the option to get, ah, a little frisky or take shots that Sonico might not like, like upskirt pictures. Don’t forget that new Sonico Dakimakura we have up for preorder now, too!
