RYUKYU ISLANDS (OKINAWA)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A000900060027-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 31, 2012
• Sequence Number: 27
• Publication Date: February 25, 1958
• Content Type: BRIEF

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/12 : CIA-RDP79R00890A000900060027-3
co r
SRI F NO
ISLANDS (
25 February 1958
, Under article 3 of the Japanese Peace Treaty of 1951 the United
States exercises all powers of administrationlegislation, and
jurisdiction over the Ryukyu Islands.
A. In the treaty, Japan agreed to concur in any S proposal to
place the islands under VI trusteeship, but in absence such a
proposal the VS now governs the islands.
B. Japan's residual sovereignty was recognized at San Francisco
Peace Conference and in subsequentipolicy statements.
J. In 1953, Amami Oshima (Northern Ryukyus) were returned to Japsa.
II. Japan renounced rights to the Kurils and South Sakhalin in
article 2 of treaty.
A. However, the treaty does not recognize Soviet sovereignty
over these islands.
Thus, future of sovereignty over Kurile to be determined by
negotiation.ms44*-.
C. The US maintains the two Southern
revert to Japan.
D. In peace treaty negotiations during 1955 and 1056 the USSR
offered return Shikotan and the Mabomai islands to Japan
but not Southern Kurile.
Admiuiatration of the Rynkyms, is based on ZeCutive Order issued
islands should
5 June 1957, which provides for a unicameral legislation [
29 members directly elected every two years,
- Nap
-cep
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/12 : CIA-RDP79R00890A000900060027-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/12 : CIA-RDP79R00890A000900060027-3
A, Legislature empowered to enact only domestic legislation.
O. 1 power to set rulesjudge qualifications of
establish procedures.
C. VS appointed Ryukyuan ehief executive can veto legislative bifls.
1. 14ie ature can override veto by so-thirds vote.
VS High Commissioner then reviews bill and may use veto.
VS ?igb Commissioner exercises full and complete authority over
the Ryukyus when mandatory for security reasons.
A. Re can promulgate laws, ordinances or regulations, veto any
las and remove any official, as in the case of Mayor Senags
of Naha.
V. Political p*rties in the Ryukyus range from the conservative
Ryukyu Democratic Party through the moderate left-of-center Okinalla
Socialist Masses Party to the pro-Communist Okinawa Peoples Party.
A. lathe 1956 election for the legislature there were 390,000
eligible voters and 253,066 votes were cast (total population
622,000).
1. Results e:
eat of
es Seats *tip
Lc 119,676 17 47
t 74,072 7 29
0inawa Peoples 15,066
41,350
Independent
R. Ilectio
1956 have
Naha, capital of Okinawa in years 1956 th
wed growing leftist trend.
real
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/12 : CIA-RDP79R00890A000900060027-3
r
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/12 : CIA-RDP79R00890A000900060027-3
1. Pro-Communist Senaga backed by Okinawa Peoples Party
elected as mayor in 195e.
6) Leftist victories resulted from: exploitation of
discontent with US land acquisition and compensation
policies, nationalistic sentiment for reversion to Japut.
2. The Liaison Council for the Protection of Democracy
emerged as a union of extreme socialists and the Peoples
Party.
(a) Thi' grouping camouflages Communist ties,has registerqd
as a political party and will probably attract some
protest votes from the Socialists.
VI. Extreme leftist parties, particularly Pro-Communist Okinawa Poo el
Party receive guidance and support from Japanese counterparts.
A.
1. Overtly, the JCP supports leftist Okina
press and by agitation.
R. The Japan Socialist Party and Japan's largest labor org*nizati3ii,
the leftist General Council of Trade Unions have provided
funds for leftist parties.
C. The Ryukyu Democratic Party has approached the Japanese Liberal
Democratic Party for assistance but prime sinister Kishi party
chief, opposes granting the request.
VII. The Japanese Government officially accepts the present status of
the Ryukyas--United States control and Japanese residual sovereignty.
uses in its
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/12 : CIA-RDP79R00890A000900060027-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/12 : CIA-RDP79R00890A000900060027-3
A. The Japanese government attempts to inter3ct itself in
Okinawa affairs by representation on such matt re as the land
problem, transfer of Japanese property, etc.
B. Japanese are privately pressing for .tt5initV$ti75 control
with VS retention of base rights as maximum demand; as
minimum they desire control of education.
C. Japanese Socialists publicly demand return of Ryukyus to
embarrass Kiehl government.
1. This forces tishi to take public positions
en Okinawa
inopposition to VS policies, and publicly to press for
Japanese adainistrative rights.
.Electiens for legislature take place on le March.
A. Conservative prospects appear favorable in outlying rural
areas where traditional loyalties still are strong.
I. Efforts by the Ryukyu Democrats and moderate see lists
to cooperate in combining on candidates may restrict
leftist gains.
B. Leftists under the banner of the liaison Council for the
Protection of Democracy appear likely to gain seats in the
Naha area it is problematical whether they can win enough
seats to
trol the legislature.
the paocratic par
probably will lose its majority in the legislature sal t
the leftists will gain seats but independents of varying
loyalties will hold the balance of power.
?
25X1
at
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/12 : CIA-RDP79R00890A000900060027-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/12 : CIA-RDP79R00890A000900060027-3
any event, every candidate and party is likely to ecbew
identification with the UE administration and in varying
degrees criticize the American authorities.
Lt. General Moores GB Nigh CommAmioner, is deeply concerned
over a possible threat to 113 security intereats pod by
the leftist trend on Okinawa.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/12 : CIA-RDP79R00890A000900060027-3