July 2009 to July 2010 - Religion and Politics in Contemporary Japan - page 183

1879, but is remembered with pride as the independent kingdom of Ryukyu
(Liuchiu). After World War II and a long battle in 1945 in which one-third of
the population died, primarily through forced mass suicide by the Japanese
military, Okinawa was occupied by the USA (see Ota 1981). It only reverted
to Japanese territory in 1972, but with mixed feelings as to its Japanese
identity; 75% of all US bases came to be concentrated in Okinawa (see
Johnson 1999; McCormack 2007: chapter 7, for more details). While some
have been closed down, it could be said that US bases continued to occupy
Okinawa; one of the most contentious bases is the Futenma Airbase. Dan-
gerously located in the middle of Ginowan city, with 92,000 inhabitants sur-
rounding it, the local desire for the relocation of Futenma is strong. While the
vast majority of people in Okinawa undoubtedly would prefer to get rid of
the bases, people in their twenties to forties and even fifties, people who grew

up with the bases, are arguably more concerned with the e

ect on the econ-
omy and employment that closing the bases might have. Even after the elec-
tion, when the relocation issue came to dominate the headlines, it was a much
more complex issue than merely being against or for the bases; everyone was
against them in some way, but in reality there was a lot of anxiety about the
economic impact this would have.
While the relocation of Futenma became a major political issue after the
2009 election, it was not yet a big issue in the election campaign beforehand.
The historic change of power began on the day of the dissolution of the
Lower House, just after midday on 21 July 2009. In the morning of that day,
a meeting among the LDP lawmakers was broadcast nationally as an attempt
to show more transparency of politics. Attempts over the last few weeks from
within the LDP to unseat the now unpopular Prime Minister As - showed

in ghting between factions that seemed to be getting increasingly nervous

about losing their seats in the upcoming election. The public display of dis-
unity of the previous week highlighted fear and opportunistic power-seeking,
something that was unlikely to fall in the LDP s favour with the public. As

peopled watched on the morning of the dissolution, so close to an election,
the spectacle of politicians shouting in anger at their party leader, Prime
Minister As - , this was unlikely to restore con

'

dence in what seemed now a
desperate party. The Komeito supporters with whom I watched this political
drama unfold had the simple comment: kitanai,or . This referred to an

impression of self-centred politics without personal integrity and self-con

' dirty '

dence

to unite beyond a politician s own self-interest. By midday, LDP politicians

seemed all smiles again as the political ritual of the Lower House dissolution
began to be televised in front of the nation. The now amicable-looking leaders
of the nation, instead of shouting, were shaking hands and wishing each other
the best of luck.
In the evening of that rather exciting day, I attended an election kick-off

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meeting for Soka Gakkai leaders. Bigger election meetings in Tokyo were few,
but here in Okinawa, as a Komeito supporter told me, people liked elections
and to talk about politics. I was told that there are members who may not