• How did attempts of Imperial Japan to eradicate Ryukyu-Okinawan culture impact Okinawans? Were these attempts successful? What are the resulting outcomes, presently? What role does music play in maintaining an Okinawan identity?

• Why was Okinawa returned to Japan after WWII, considering its status as a colony of Japan?

• Why does the Japanese government continue treating Okinawan Prefecture as a second-class prefecture? or to be more specific: Why does the Japanese government continue the establishment of U.S military bases on Okinawa despite high crime rates from military personnel?

• Why is there an economic crisis in Okinawa? What has Japan done to aid Okinawa?

• Why do Amejos prefer American GIs? Is the prejudice against Amejos common and is it increasing or decreasing?

• Why is the 'militourism' industry of Okinawa so widespread?

Tū nu Yū kara Yamatu nu Yū

Yamatu nu Yū kara, Amerika yū

Hirumasa kawataru, kunu Uchinā

From the Chinese world to the Japanese world,

From the Japanese world to the American world,

How strangely it has changed, this Okinawa

The Ryukyu kingdom's loyalty to China, at the time leading up to Ryukyu shobun, made it hard for Japan to annex Ryukyu as the Okinawan Prefecture.

It is important to note that the Ryukyu shobun did not got unopposed. In fact, such opposition was organized by Shuri court members, albeit not all.

Japan and China's willingness to discuss potential borders for Okinawa that benefitted both parties shows that neither ever considered Okinawan interests. In fact, this theme is constantly displayed leading up to the Battle of Okinawa, after the Battle of Okinawa, and even today.

Lastly, why did Japan resort to violence during the Ryukyu Shobun to claim Okinawa Prefecture? Because the Japanese claim on Okinawan Prefecture was illegitimate from the get go.

• There was initial distrust between Okinawa and Japan. In fact, renaming Ryukyu to Okinawa proves as such. Ryukyu was transliterated from the Chinese name of the islands. Renaming Ryukyu to Okinawa showed Japanese ownership of Okinawa. It is important to note that a notable group of Okinawans believed it would be best to align themselves as Okinawans not Ryukyuns. Their reasoning became visible when Ryukyujin was intentionally mispronounced by Japanese as Rikijin, a derogatory word.

• Contrary to popular belief, Okinawans did not particularly oppose the assimilation policies and ideologies of the Meiji and Taisho Era. Some policies were heavily opposed by the Okinawan people whereas other policies went relatively unopposed. What was the crux of the conflict was mostly the indecisiveness of Japanese policies. It was unclear as to whether Japan wished to completely eradicate Okinawan culture or to integrate it into the broader Japanese culture. For instance, certain Ryukyun traditions, education of Ryukyun history, and the Ryukyuan language were all targeted by the assimilation policies. However, aspects of the Ryukyuan religion were embraced and integrated into Shinto.

• Okinawa throughout the Meiji Era, following annexation, can be summed by the Okinawan desire to prove their 'Japanese-ness' and their fear of being associated with Japanese colonies. This resulted in various efforts and theories to prove that Okinawa had always been Japanese. Moreover, the initial distrust in Okinawa from Japan caused a delay in a variety of aspects (e.g. economics and education). This delay was furthered due to the American occupation of Okinawa as a military colony, causing a breakup from mainland Japan and another period of initial distrust or 'othering' of Okinawa when it was integrated into Japan in 1972.