In 1970, a car accident sparked a massive Okinawan uprising against U.S. occupation
In 1970, a simple car accident in Okinawa ignited a massive uprising of 5,000 citizens, revealing deep-seated tensions over the continued American military occupation of the Japanese islands.
A vehicular accident involving an American soldier in Koza sparked a massive riot on December 20, 1970. Frustrated by years of legal immunity for U.S. personnel and frequent hit-and-run incidents, roughly 5,000 Okinawans took to the streets. The crowd set fire to over 70 vehicles and clashed with military police in a desperate plea for civil rights.
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