I’d say it’s analagous to the U.S.-Hawaii relationship: ethnically, culturally and linguistically distinct, although politically part of the same nation due to a recent conquest.

Slow, lugubrious music plays the melody for probably the only Japanese song that non-Japanese recognize, “Sakura”, while the singer sings lyrics describing what a bunch of lame losers the Japanese are. This goes on for a stanza, and then

the music suddenly shifts into shiny upbeat tempo, and the melody is the title song from “Oklahoma”. But with the lyrics changed to … Okinawa! (sing along … you’re doing fine Okinawa, Okinawa, OK – I – N – A – W – A). And the song is about how great and wonderful and studly Okinawans are.

And then the song switches back and forth between the slow sad Sakura mode, with more put-downs of Japanese, and back to Oklahoma/Okinawa.

Sample lyrics (reconstructed from memory):

(To the tune of “Sakura”, adagio)
Japanese
Eat raw fish
Two tiny pieces
In one dish

But …
(To the tune of “Okalahoma!”, vivace)
Ohhh .. kinawans
Like to eat a chicken cow or pig
At night or noon
With a fork or spoon
Eating portions mighty big

We know we belong to the land … (sorry, I forget what the Okinawan-styled lyrics were, but you can imagine the rest).

The reason why this song probably works only in Hawaii: most Americans probably neither know or care anything about Okinawa, and its relationship with Japan.

Okinawans presumably care plenty, but I doubt they know or care anything about Broadway musicals.

But an Okinawan American (who I presume wrote the song), growing up hearing “Oklahoma”, would be in a unique place to combine the two. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an identifiably Okinawan restaurant, store, or person in the mainland US (I’m sure they are there, but they certainly aren’t prominent). They’re not much more prominent in Hawaii, but there is at least some visible presence — and audible, in the case of this Oklahoma/Okinawa song.

Serious question: I understand that Japan colonized Okinawa many years ago, and some (many?) Okinawans are still restive under Japanese rule. I’m guessing it’s somewhat similar to the relationship between the English and the Irish, but that’s just a guess. Or maybe the USA and Puerto Rico? What’s your impression?

ok, well, yeah, I finally got a phone that bends in the middle.

Sorry, slow day.

(yeah, ok, so I guess most people don’t consider the hubbub over a #1 draft pick out of an Okinawa high school all that big a deal, but I feel like I’ve seen at least 2-3 articles a week about the kid… and today is industrial/college draft day. exciting!)

I have a couple pictures of the Ichiro NTT ads that were all around Kansai/Kanto. They were pretty cool.

I recall a fine and exciting gecko vs praying mantis battle described in vivid detail by Gerry Durrell….