Thirty years after its return to Japanese control in May 1972, Okinawa continues to struggle with its twin problems: the heavy presence of U.S. military bases and the relatively low level of industrial development. While the base problem is likely to persist for a long time to come, the drive for economic prosperity is expected to make substantial progress under special legislation that took effect on April 1.
This legislation -- the Law on Special Measures for the Promotion of Okinawa -- marks the start of a "one-nation, two-system" arrangement that gives the prefecture an array of dazzling financial and other incentives not seen anywhere else in Japan. This is where the new law differs most significantly from the old legislation -- the Law on Special Measures for the Promotion and Development of Okinawa -- which expired on March 31.
It is notable that the word development is absent from the new legislation. This reflects a belief that the original aim of rebuilding Okinawa, a World War II battleground, has been achieved for all practical purposes. No less important, the new emphasis on "promotion" indicates a collective aspiration to carve out a new future for Okinawa's economy and society with the continued backing of the central government.