China Lies About Okinawa to Deflect Criticism of Own Rights Abuses

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On November 9, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, Sun Lei, called for Japan to "stop prejudice and discrimination against Okinawans and other indigenous peoples." The Japanese government quickly condemned the remarks made during a session of the Third Committee, the UN General Assembly's principal human rights committee. Residents of Okinawa Prefecture are not an "indigenous people."

Furthermore, the inflammatory statements made by the high-ranking Chinese diplomat are totally unacceptable. Rightly, the Chinese government should retract the deputy ambassador's statement, which is factually incorrect and constitutes interference in Japan's domestic affairs.

China Can't Escape Its Human Rights Abuses

The incident occurred in October during a Third Committee debate. Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries were expressing serious concerns about the human rights situation in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and elsewhere. In apparent rebuttal, the deputy ambassador made the controversial remarks about Okinawa.

The deputy ambassador was obviously trying to deflect attention from China's abysmal human rights record. He began criticizing Japan's actions 80 years ago during the Pacific War. Then he propagated the one-sided view that the Okinawans are an "indigenous people." 

A Japanese diplomat responded by saying, "Freedom, democracy, and fundamental human rights are the unshakable foundation for all of Japan's decisions and actions."

Ethnic Groups in Japan

The Ainu are the only ethnic group recognized as indigenous by the Japanese government and the National Diet. Incidentally, the Act on the Promotion of Ainu Culture aims to promote Ainu traditions and improve living standards for the Ainu people. However, it does not recognize indigenous rights over land and resources.

In Okinawa, there are a very small number of groups that advocate "Ryukyu independence." A few individuals also claim "the rights of the indigenous people have been taken away." Nevertheless, the vast majority of the prefecture's residents neither want independence nor consider themselves "indigenous people."

Mamoru Sho is the 23rd head of the former Ryukyu royal family, the Second Sho Dynasty. He spoke on this issue at the May 30 ceremony commemorating the 53rd anniversary of Okinawa's reversion to Japan. 

Sho stated emphatically: "If you unravel the DNA of the Okinawa people, you will find that we are not some 'indigenous people.' We are Japanese."

During the General Assembly's Third Committee debate, the Japanese side should have clearly stated that "the people of Okinawa are not an indigenous people." Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi need to explicitly and resolutely reject China's unjust claims.

Chinese Propaganda

The Chinese deputy ambassador's remarks were designed as propaganda to make people think Okinawa is not truly part of Japan. By fanning the flames of division, Beijing is likely aiming to intensify opposition to the presence of the Self-Defense Forces and the United States military in Okinawa.

There are also concerns that China's hegemonic regime, led by Xi ​​Jinping, could attempt to seize Okinawa from Japan. It is putting neighboring Taiwan under enormous pressure as it seeks to annex the island democracy. And Beijing is engaging in military intimidation around the Senkaku Islands, Ishigaki City, in Okinawa, asserting claims there.

Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki was asked about the Chinese deputy ambassador's remarks during a press conference, but he failed to refute them. Tamaki's lack of awareness of his duty as an elected official to defend Okinawa and the Okinawan people is appalling. 

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Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

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