United States Military Government of the Ryukyu Islands

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

United States Military Administration of the Ryukyu Islands
琉球列島米国軍政府
Ryūkyū-rettō Beikoku Gunseifu
1945–1950
Red, white and blue flag with 48 stars of the United States of America
Location of the Ryukyu Islands (shaded red) in the East China Sea.
Location of the Ryukyu Islands (shaded red)
in the East China Sea.
StatusMilitary occupation
Capital
and largest city
Naha
Common languagesJapanese
Ryukyuan
English
GovernmentMilitary occupation
U.S. President 
• 1945 (first)
Franklin D. Roosevelt
• 1945–1950 (last)
Harry S. Truman
Governor 
• 1945 (first)
Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr.
• 1950 (last)
Robert S. Beightler
Historical eraCold War
1 April – 22 June 1945
15 December 1950
CurrencyA yen (to July 1948)
B yen (July 1948 – Sep 1958)
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Empire of Japan
USCAR

The United States Military Government of the Ryukyu Islands abbr. USMGR (琉球列島米国軍政府, Japanese: Ryūkyū-rettō Beikoku Gunseifu, Okinawan: Rūcū ʔAmirika Minhyōjōju) was the government in the Ryukyu Islands, Japan (centered on the Okinawa Island) from 1945 to 1950, whereupon it was replaced by the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands (USCAR).[1]

Background[]

The first prolonged American presence in the Ryukyu Islands commenced with the arrival of Commodore Matthew C. Perry in May 1853, on Okinawa. A bit more than one year later this presence ended when Perry left. Perry had hoped to use Okinawa as a springboard to opening up relations with Japan during the Bakumatsu period. Almost 100 years later Americans returned to the islands, beginning in April 1945, after the last battle of World War II came to an end. Again, the American presence was as a stepping stone to Japan.[2]

Government system[]

The government was headed by the Military Governor (軍政長官, Gunsei Chōkan) and his second-in-command, the Chief Military Government Officer (軍政府長官, Gunsei-fu Chōkan). They were assisted by the Deputy Commander of the Military Government (軍政府副長官, Gunsei-fu Fuku-chōkan).[3]

Governors[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Records of U.S. Occupation Headquarters, World War II". National Archives. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. 1995. Retrieved September 9, 2016. 260.12 Records of the U.S. Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands (USCAR) 1945–72
  2. ^ Fisch Jr., Arnold G. (1988). Military Government in the Ryukyu Islands: 1945-1950 (PDF). Washington, DC: Center of Military History, United States Army. p. 3.
  3. ^ ja:琉球列島米国軍政府
Retrieved from ""