著者

桃原 一彦

出版者

沖縄国際大学

雑誌

沖縄国際大学社会文化研究 (ISSN:13426435)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.8, no.1, pp.51-79, 2005-03-31

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In this paper, urban societies of Okinawa, particularly those around U.S. military bases, are viewed as colonial cities, and their special composition and the mobilization and deployment of Okinawa's population after the "reversion to Japanese administration" are examined. Here, Okinawa's society is seen from the viewpoint of postcolonialism study, applying it to the sociological analysis of power relationships in colonial cities. U.S. military bases are an important factor that define the postcolonial characteristics of Okinawa's society. This paper examines how the politics of Okinawa City (Goeku:Koza) blends in with the practices of postcolonialism, and how they exert a synergistic effect in hiding colonial characteristics. Okinawa City is located in central Okinawa where U.S. military bases and urban areas are squeezed together, adjoining to each other. As an example, this paper looks into the Shirakawa Flea Market, which was formed and has been expanding in the forest of Kadena Ammunition Storage Area, and the inner-city issues concerning the city center of Okinawa City. Through these, this paper describes the relationship between postcolonialism and recomposition of urban spaces.