The Dark Side of Japan's Paradise Island | Trouble in Paradise
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ต.ค. 2021
- Okinawa is known to many as a postcard perfect paradise. In 2019, before the pandemic stopped travel, the island welcomed 10 million tourists. But despite mass tourism, Okinawa is also the poorest prefecture in Japan.
VICE World News host Hanako Montgomery travels to Okinawa to find out why.
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A good documentary could be made on this subject, but I'm sorry to say that this isn't it. I've been in Okinawa my entire adult life and have been married to an amazing Okinawan woman for over 16 years. The topics discussed here are not unique to Okinawa and the culture is not to blame for Okinawa's economic issues. You can find heavy drinking, single mothers in hostess bars, and worse almost anywhere in Japan (and in particular Tokyo). It's almost offensive seeing someone living in Tokyo come here (and based on instagram posts, during a time when travel to Okinawa was strongly discouraged) and lecture on Okinawa's poverty issues without acknowledging Tokyo's very significant role in Okinawa's economic situation. That ties in to the US military presence here as well since that is intertwined with Tokyo. If you want to make a real documentary on this subject, you need to spend more time here and go back many, many decades and learn about how Okinawa has been exploited and taken advantage of again and again and it continues to happen today. Perhaps your placing the blame on the culture is backwards and rather the culture evolved to cope with the never-ending exploitation and impossible upward mobility in the workforce?
Thank you for this insight. I felt that the problem of alcoholism and culture that discourages work effort must be connected to being recently under occupation, because that's how it works in my country that has been under occupation for a long time. If you know your effort at work will bring wealth only to the occupant and will also raise the bar for all your fellow workers then it's a good thing to pace yourself. Occupation may have ended officially but capitalism introduced after occupation is never fair, as nobody local has the amount of money and know-how to suddenly start and keep a successful business. I'm pretty sure most profits of the tourism and anything else what makes money in Okinawa doesn't go to the locals. Being paid a salary is not the same as taking part in sharing the profits. It's very sad that it's blamed on the culture now as it is a reaction not the cause. I wish Okinawa all the best, education and fighting for human rights are the way out, just be kind to each other! Love from Poland
Wow, thank you for this comment. I hope that VICE Asia responds to it. I just moved to Okinawa two weeks ago. The points that you make are incredibly valid. In particular, there is a sense of arrogance and condescending attitude with this whole documentary -- especially with a film crew coming from Tokyo for a few days, spewing out some random statistics that aren't cited anywhere, and asking for a professor to give his insights as an attempt to validate the rest of the video. Also, I agree there needs to be more context about Okinawa before and after 1972. I think that the people of Okinawa should be seen as strong and resilient for overcoming so many challenges and as you say, their culture evolved to meet these challenges (and for this they should be commended).
they didn't even touch on the subject of Japanese annexation and colonization of the Ryukyu Kingdom. These issues are way deeper than cheap alcohol.
@@Kitsune-kun663 to be honest this documentary around 15:25 the woman talks about how her ex husband doesn't deserve her daughter...
i don't know them i don't know their case and certainly don't know japaneese divorce laws, but a child has 2 parents, you might dislike the other parent, but a child deserves the right to make up their own mind, sounds to me like she thinks that her daughter is her property, not a human being.
i dont know much about Okinawa but just the fact that US military presence is strong in that place, you'd know that is the main reason things are the way they are ((then u could get deep into that
it's only 2:44 and i already got pissed off by that guy's bullshit talking about okinawans being "all good" attitude and that is the reason they're poor
This documentary feels so superficial , the guy she interview just blame the culture, the laziness and alcoholism, the video seems to mostly focus on the main Okinawa island but okinawa porverty stadistics are affected by the people living on the smaller and less developed islands like Miyako, Minamidaitou, Iejima, Ishigaki, Yonaguni. Some of the smallest islands are almost like a different country from mainland japan, they have very little infrastructure, services and limited jobs outside of tourism
So since you can't appreciate the journalist AT LEAST bringing attention to this issue and instead find it necessary to criticize because the documentary doesn't fall into "your" vision of what it should be about, then why don't you gather the necessary resources and produce an in depth documentary highlighting your issues of concern?......A lot easier to talk from the sidelines than being in the arena..........
@@moneyman2200 wtf?
this person pointed out what needs to be studied aside from culture
AND THAT DOESN'T MEAN THIS PERSON DIDN'T APPRECIATE THE JOURNALISTS...
AND JOURNALISM IS LAYING DOWN FACTS AND LET THE AUDIENCE THINK...AND NOT PERSUADE PEOPLE TO THINK THEY WANTED To
@@vendettaplay5101 Agree!
@@moneyman2200 so just mindlessly agree? Noted
@@moneyman2200 Why the hatred?
"colonialism" doesn't mean just the US control after WWII. Okinawans used to consider themselves colonized by Japan too, before the US ever got there
Now they feel themselves as a part of japan so when they say colonialism now they refer to usa
Ryukyu, land of Karate & the Ryu kyu languages. Their unique symbol & architecture.
Both japan and the US are complicit
@@AA-ok5jz Gackt is native Okinawan/Ryukyuan and he has repeatedly referred to Okinawa as its own country.
@@dhimankalita1690 a lot of okinawans consider themselves to still be under Japanese colonization still as well as American
We see the host slow motion in a bathing suit, then she's having fun on some kind of water jet, then we have a fun night with right wing ethno-nationalists. And in the second half we we talk to someone recovering from alcoholism for a minute and we end with a single Mother working at a hostess bar. I don't understand how these sheds light on issue specific to the native people of Okinawa-you could have done the same documentary in Chiba or Kyushu or wherever. No comment on the vast amount of displacement the native population, the physical and sexual abuses covered up by both the Japanese and American governments, secret pollution and toxic waste dumping, yakuza resorts, and so on. Feels like minimal effort and thought went into this and there is way too much emphasis put on the host goofing around and having a vacation.
This comment is everything. 🙌🏼 I find this so disrespectful to the point I don’t even want to finish it. Such misrepresentation of Okinawa.
@@annaaiko868 100% agreed
its like as though they just wanted a vacation to okinawa under the guise of a "documentary". the problems, based on the coverage of the video, seemed no different from mainland japan.
The first shot of that bimbo reporter coming out of the water ( the topic is a serious subject etc ) really surprised me - and it went downhill from there
Could someone name some resources to read more about this? Especially the waste dumping, yakuza stuff and sexual abuse
It's an interesting covering since my family emigrated from Okinawa to Brazil during the 1930's, and it's especially interesting to know that it was due to poverty, and while Okinawa constitutes 1% of total population of Japan, it constituted 10% of the japanese immigrants over here.
@Renato Kobashigawa My grandmother emigrated from Okinawa and Grandpa from Japan to Hawaii. My family and I have been learning about the migration of Japanese to Brazil lately. Trying to read up more about it. Curious how it is in Brazil.
Wow to Brazil? Interesting .. my family came to America but how cool to be in Brazil
@@t0kigh02t7 Many Japanese families came to Brazil during the 20th century, that's why Brazil has the largest community of Japanese people outside of Japan and the largest Japanese neighborhood in the world
It must suck to think a person doesn't shit
@@whereisashleyryan people emigrated all over the americas. Theres also a lot of japanese people in peru
I have lived in Okinawa for 6 years. I feel like these problems are a mix of the culture and not getting enough support from mainland Japan. A lot of people have mixed feelings about the US presence here, and I’m not commenting on that. But, if not for that I don’t know how this island would have made it through COVID the past few years without the tourism dollars. In places where I live like Okinawa City, I feel even the Okinawa government does not do enough for its citizens. Lots of gambling parlors, resorts, and shopping malls, but not what most of the residents need.
@Plop Lmao is that like them Ainu people?
@@juliustetevano6113 no. The ryukyu people once had a kingdom with its own ruler and it was a fairly prosperous island nation that dealt in trade in the pacific. The ryukyu culture had a unique mix of chinese, japanese culture
In the eyes of some Okinawan folks the two career paths that are considered "stable" are (A) a public school employee in a higher position such as Principal or Superintendent or (B) working for local or state Government. Even the tourist industry in Okinawa is subject to periods of instability. The real problem is Geography and the growing population. Not enough resources and land for a tiny Island to be taking care of such a growing Okinawan population. Okinawa's birth rate is much higher per household than the average household of Tokyo Japan.
Right Okinawa has been supported enough by Japan
@@Himizu2023 ??
As an Okinawan-American, this documentary is really offensive to me. Blaming Okinawans' poverty on our culture is really messed up, when Okinawans have suffered so much due to Japanese and American colonization. It seemed like hardly any research went into the making of this video.
"People who try to get ahead are bullied."
This is either completely false, or somewhere on the spectrum of true. If it's at least partially true, this is part of a "culture" which would affect economic outcomes. Yes, this attitude can be absolutely explained by history, yet it doesn't necessarily have to dictate the future. There are numerous examples of historically oppressed groups thriving once the weight of oppression is lifted.
As an Okinawan who's aware of VICE, they're not known for being exactly accurate or unbiased.
@@orneryokinawan4529 there not even known for being journalists in any sense of the word.
@@riphaven Do you enjoy repeating yourself?
@@Suavemcool crab mentalities are somewhat true
I live here in Okinawa and my wife is Okinawan. She couldn't watch more than 5mins of this documentary. That professor embellishing the attitude of locals in terms of being lazy is sickening. There are many successful local people who have nice houses. Yes there are poor people like anywhere else, and it gets worse when your around 'base world' in terms of litter and the emulation of what constitutes American culture these days by the youth. However, not every single mother works at a snack bar drinking themselves to death every night. And those right wing guys are seen as kooks by the local people; most won't associate with them. Also get away from Chatan/Okinawa City which is where this documentary is located. Each island has its own personality with their own issues and not everybody lives in the Okinawan 'mainland'.
I Know Right! Free Loochoo!!!
It is always easier to consider people lazy rather than to face the reality that poverty has its own powerful gravity that keeps people down across all aspects of life. When you realize that you are also forced to admit that your life and destiny is never entirely your own and that wounds many egos.
Thats how western media works
The truth hurts
Japanese here. High proportion of poverty in Okinawa isn't caused by the laziness of Okinawan people. The main reason is the lack of industries in Okinawa rather than local tourism. Franchise supermarkets, shops, hotels and factories have the headquarters in mainland Japan, and the wages in Okinawa are kept lower than in mainland Japan. Moreover, the standard productivity(salary) of tourism industry is lower than manufacturing industry. And Okinawa has no big manufacturing industry. Therefore, the income level in Okinawa is the lowest in Japan.
Blame the main island and the government because we always have been seen as a second class and not a true Japanese. This is true throughout history and always have been in the back of the mind of main landers, government and its influence.
Obviously Okinawa gets a huge amount of funds from the government, without the Japanese goverment Okinawa is gonna have a harder time
Either way even since the finding of a unified Japan. We been considered foreign always. Never true Japanese. Of course this is the older, nationalist and conservative that think this way but hey, ever was ostracize for being half Japanese and half Korean while that Japanese part is from Okinawa? No? Ever got spit on got called disgraceful cause your grandfather bless his dead heart who grew up during the war and threatened you? No? This just my experience.
i do understand how some regions are underfunded but whats up with all the money from tourism (before covid ofc) this documentary really surprised me I was pretty sure okinawa is loaded
@@reniferZiolo Okinawa was on roll with growth of tourism before Covid, but still Okinawa had one of the highest unemployment rate in all the prefectures, and the lowest GDP per person
@@reniferZiolo When was it loaded?
Very patronizing story. The island was basically destroyed by outside forces; the US and Mainland Japanese. The locals are considered "2nd class" Japanese by Mainlanders. It's is very similar to US native American tribes, recovery may take hundreds of years or never come at all.
Of course, let's make everything about the US all the time and constantly bring them into every discussion as if they're the only country on the planet. Let's talk about how a video detailing poverty in an island chain is all the fault of the US and only the US as if the place had no issues prior to WW2 or prior to the US existing. Jesus can you people not just obsess over the US all the time?
@@noco7243 Except that you can't talk about Okinawa without mentioning the US since they have presence there. The presence of US is huge around the world, whether you like it or not.
@@noco7243 The fuck are you on? How can you separate WW2 and US military occupation when it is literally part of its history?
@NewKew and here we go....someone who obviously doesn't know World and US history. The US has very strong influence abroad especially after WWII. The US has been involved in Asia even before that. The US govt is to be blamed for many crappy things around the world especially since it became a super power and responsible for destabilizing many nations to protect its interests i.e Latin America. Look at what happened in the Mid east.
Reading and learning is fundamental.
@@playmakersmusic ya it is inseparable. "There are 32 United States military bases on Okinawa Island. Approximately 62% of all United States bases in Japan are on Okinawa." And for Christ's sake USA has nukes in Okinawa.
The presenter brings a little too much attention to herself, it's like its a travel vlog combined with some interviews. Also as someone else said it doesn't point out the root reasons for Okinawas problems.
I’m American and a former Marine. Okinawa and its people will forever hold a special place in my heart. I pray it gets better for them.
This is an eye opening to those men who disrespect girls. They are mothers and we men have mothers too. Respect and love them. in Japan they don't ask equality as in America but even if they don't say it they need treated with respect and love and all of the women all over the world.
Poor journalism. I'm surprised that this was recorded, edited and approved by a group of people. You just watched the reporter going to beaches, talking to a "specialist" that blames CULTURE for poverty (this was specially disturbing for me), going to a random party and getting drunk, etc. Please, take some of criticism shared in the comments. I appreciate that vice tried to give some attention to Okinawa, but you really should hire someone competent from Okinawa.
Take it easy. It's VICE anyway.
Don't expect great journalism from them, they are mainly scaremongers.
Let see you try to go do this if you can do better 😂😂😂
@@masterk5372 Would love to be hired!
@@pkawas Don't take any middleman. Just start talking over gaming montage with occational stats from peer-reviewed studies. Control your own content.
@@chickensoup9869 sorry, this is my personal account. My hobbies and what I watch on yt has nothing to do with my career.
not a word about the Japanese annexation and colonization of the Ryukyu Kingdom and subsequent forced assimilation of the Ryukyuan People as Yamato Japanese? these issues presented here (especially alcoholism) are well observed in other indigenous populations that went through similar processes of cultural assimilation/acculturation. You are treating Okinawa Prefecture as a regular Japanese prefecture and completely ignoring its very peculiar history.
Also, you guys talk about intergenerational poverty, but say no word about the intergenerational trauma that the Ryukyuan People carry because of that atrocity called "The Battle of Okinawa"?
You can go way deeper than that, Vice.
Perfect comment
Was looking for this comment!!! Yes!!!
My parents were from Ryukyu islands and I grew up in Okinawa/Ryukyu islands. And I disagree with you. You want to put this into your own simple narratives without going deeper. Your narratives are ones that CCP loves.
@@hayaowennaga how can you disagree with the battle of Okinawa, annexation, and generational poverty when it’s all well documented?
@@Libbyyyyyyyyyyyy599 Seems like you brains stuck only in WW2. And you want to put every narratives into it. Our Okinawans lifestyle became way much better after returning to Japan. You don't know what the social systems used to be in Okinawa. You don't know even before WW2 how modernisation of Japan eliminated local cast systems and installed welfares leading to population growth and drastically increase in food supply, literacy rate around Ryukyu areas. Yes, poverty and devastation existed in Okinawa at the times of war and annexation, so did in Japan.
Single motherhood is no piece of cake. I'm from a single parent home where Mom + GOD rest her soul + raised all 4 of us boys by herself. Her coming from an abusive home she naturally had a lot of issues but considering all the enormous work and prayer she put in raising us that great lady was a real hero and I salute her!
When Japan sees poverty as a moral blight then the world's 3rd richest nation can care. I've felt strongly about Japan's poverty before.
Glad to see I wasn't the only one who found this "documentary" to be garbage.
It's largely based on an interview with some professor (who isn't Okinawan) peddling stereotypes about the local culture. His explanation for poverty is that bosses don't pay much because the locals are lazy and discourage hard work. Really? What is the evidence for that?
Then we get the host drinking with the equivalent of Japanese neo-Nazis she met randomly, that apparently proves that alcoholism is a problem.
The host then shames the hell out of one single mother for her life choices, and apparently that's proof that single motherhood is a problem.
WHY are all these things more common in Okinawa? You expect us to believe it's because alcohol prices are low? They're low everywhere in Japan.
What are the root causes of poverty? Does the American presence have anything to do with it? Colonialism? The ryukyu culture was a distinct society before being conquered by Japan.
But no, it's because of drunks and single moms that Okinawa is poor
It’s not laziness. Okinawa people are known for being physically active. Toxic productivity or hustle culture versus a self-sustainable life and positive mind, I’ll choose the latter any day. Looks like she was only interested in having some good time herself under the pretext of reporting 😅 Well, good for her. But the misleading nature of the superficial journalism is not helping find the root of the problems or their solutions.
I'm from Rio de Janeiro and as I see it, Okinawa is like a tropical Japan with "tropicalism problems": alcohol, young people having children, lack of superior education for women, double shifts at work.
It’s similar here in the Philippines, idk why every tropical country has this issue 😅
Originally, people in cold countries needed to work very hard and develop planning/mathematical skills to survive. There would be no fruit or vegetables for 6 months so enough food had to be generated within the warm months to last through the winter. Hence, planning and mathematical skills (calculating the necessary food supply) would be a prerequisite for survival. Those without it died. Hence, Korea, Honshu etc are hard-working people with high IQ, especially in maths. Because life is hard in such places, including northern Europe, a spirit of teamwork/community/socialism also develops as everyone needs to work together to help the group survive.
In a warm country, however, life is easy. You can eat all year. All you need do is stick out your arm and grab a mango.
My heart goes to all those single mom who had to go such hardships...
Ok, my takeaway here is this….over striving for things and trying to keep up with the joneses will kill you eventually. Okinawa has one of the oldest populations and healthiest. Aside from their diet, I attribute this to lack of stress.
it's island life.
Goya
how about the drinking problems?
1:56 Aru Aru, similar to Javanese life of style... especially in Special Region Yogyakarta decades ago. They don't bully hardworking people nor lazy, but as long as family is fed and kids education is guaranteed that's enough. The community is solid, no one left behind is the priority rather than race for the best.
i hate that lot of people glamorizing yogyakarta "simple life" and ignoring the real problem such as low minimum wage that can cause poverty
@@rottenfication ah yes, that's why i don't want looking for job in Yogyakarta, better in Jakarta or Karawang that have highest minimum wage
True, it's a sad truth that we have to live with everyday
@@290198Nicholas jakarta yeah, but we also know high wage in big city also means high life cost. without proper financial planning and support, especially fresh graduates or peoples who just wanting some luck it will be a little tough there.
In Javanese: nerimo
I’ve been to Okinawa (pre COVID-19 pandemic) and tourist business had a booming business. This video reminds me of the native Hawaiian people that have been driven into poverty/ homelessness.
The current occupation of Okinawa by the US is disheartening and makes me sad for the many lives effected by this current day occupation.
but the island is very dependent upon the presence of the US, if the US pulled out now, even with like a carefully planned 5-10 year time frame, they still wouldn't be prepared (economically) for life after that, and you can bet your last yen that the mainland would barely lend any help. Okinawa is the red headed step-child of Japan.
@Plop Lmao Good read.
Japan try that to the Chinese before the US nuked them then the Russian declared war that cause the Japanese to surrender.
Super China] Then & Now | From Ashes to Prosperity.
th-cam.com/video/uLqJQPr9TD4/w-d-xo.html
@@calitaliarepublic6753 👍
yeah...there is still the darker side in Okinawa,such as how US personnel treats the people there,about the rapes, violence,etc....vice should cover that story too but i guess would be bad for US isn't it?
@@AA-ok5jz I googled searched and came up with nothing, please post a link.
We need AsianBoss to cover this story since Vice couldn't do it properly 😬
Wow understands what she needs to do with what she has to provide for her child. A lot of love she has for her child in a sad situation
If anyone wants to know the song starting at 0:40 it's called "Asadoya Yunta" do listen to it ! It's amazing
Thank you for that!
Okinawa has become the Glasgow of Japan.
So sad for the single moms and their children.
Sad that single moms and their children, they tend to suffer worse in most "conservative" societies, even the asian conservative based ones and the "white" jesus variety where single parents are shamed/demonized.. These conservative cultures worship the whole "marriage" system and yet they piss away the "single" parents, as they see it as sinful.
Japan is prety conservative in nature.
@@koilamaoh4238 you’re so brainwashed you apply “conservative = bad” to Japan when it’s no where near the same
@@alphabetazeta5373 I don't think you understand what I mean by "conservative" theres the "religious" kind and the "culture" kind which asians use, just as "China" was very COnservative about "marriage", they were heavily against sexuality/porn, etc.. And thanks to the "sexual" revolution, they arent as "prudish" conservative. Communism is a staple among "conservatives", I bet you didn't even know that early christians were socialist conservatives, its why these fascist christians are desperately trying to cover up their past; early churches brought in that communism/socialism/conservatism, even those 1000s of religions, lot of which focused on "Shaming" which is a byproduct of this "Conservative" society.
Most old timey racist conservative eras tend to go through a "culture" revolution phase, just as the americans went through all that racism, controlling women, all that, considering its not as bad but still there. Why you think all these hate groups vote on the "right".. they still exist and they still hate women who are "single", basically incels this conservative nature creates, no one likes a woman who isnt virgin anymore or has kids, its like that in all conservative societies, only a "liberal" society actually accept them.
@@koilamaoh4238 Religion forces irresponsible men to pay for their children and ex-wives after they left them so what are you talking about? If a society looks down on single parents instead of creating a system that pay for their living costs, then the fault is on rhe mentality of the society itself not the religion that has a specific financial system to take care of single parents.
I mean while I appreciate the content, i also don't like that this only focuses on the mothers, a marriage is between two people. respect to the single mother, she's doing her best 🙏
Seems difficult to find an estranged father if contact has been lost, also one willing to talk about something shameful
??? But single mom is the majority? And the problem they touched is how they earn so low there.
True. Single mothers certainly have my respect. 💯
You simps are terrible. The guy doesn't even have access to his own child. What are you talking about "estranged", the partygirl denies him access.
Hmm just from reading the comments it looks like these are surface issues that were covered here when what we should be looking at are deeper issues. Vice should have dived into more history and not been afraid to call out USA or Japan for colonialism and such. It's nice to hear what some mainland people from Okinawa feel and it's nice to be told about the issues that the mainland Okinawa people face but at the same time this is definitely a surface problem report and not a root cause report. This is a good video but if our goal is to shed light on a situation and bring change we need to get to the bottom of what the issue is and if the media is too scared to talk about it (continued colonialism etc.) then we can't. At the same time lots of documentaries are like this too so it's not like Vice is particularly bad. I still appreciate this video and it did shed light on an issue I wasn't really aware of. (on another note that mother is so strong and amazing. She's wise and independent and you can tell she's faced a lot of criticism but is so resilient. Totally admire her.)
I hope one day to travel to a few countries throughout South East Asia. Traveling to foreign lands have always been appealing I took classes in school learning about the differences in the way people live their lives
Let island people be relaxed, lets be real its just a fact. The mainland is busy and all about getting rich while populations on island nations are just more relaxed and in tune with life and happiness. Jeju, Hawaii, Okinawa, even the islands here in NL. Being disconnected from the mainland disconnects you from the center of business but that's not necessarily bad.
What a magnificent view of such story, and how she said 'it is what it is' made me tear. much respect!
"Japanese can't hold their booze" have you tried a Strong Zero?
hell yea brother
wow, the reporter is amazing. multi languages.
I grew up in Okinawa in the '80s. My family and I used to live in the Hotel Crown.
Every country in the world have at least 1 poor person so its not surprising
There's a societal pressure to comform with Mainland Japan's obsession with fair complexion, overworking, corporate culture and entertainment scenes that rob away the work-life balance and quality of life of Okinawans.
Yep Okinawans were renowned as having some of the longest lifespans on Earth, but that was due to the traditional Okinawan lifestyle and diet.
@@alexcarter8807 Diet wise, yes, the Okinawan cuisine is among most nutritious in the world and coupled with great air quality in most parts of the Okinawa Islands certainly have positive impacts on the residents' longevity. But, the "tropical paradise" image is also a double-edged sword for many Okinawans. It means that economic opportunities aren't as diverse as the ones in Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe and many other large cities in Mainland Japan. Plus, the Okinawans are finding themselves trapped between two major social issues: rape and sexual abuses done by rogue US Army personnel and Japan's casual attitude towards discrimination against women in society (domestic violence + porn films, comics and animations that dehumanize women).
You do realize all Japanese suffer right? Not just this island
These symptoms (including the okinawan Uyoku) you described stem from the reality of double colonial occupation by the U.S. and japan.
The Yamato professor is simply blaming the victims; he is not even reflecting on the fact he is part of the problem as a Yamato colonial missionary. You will have a completely different perspective if you talk to Uchina professors.
it's so good to see that a lot of people in the comments know about that!
It doesn't need to be uchina. Anyone with a little background of economics could speak at the very least about the difficulties a few islands so detached from their "mainland" could have to thrive, especially if they're not adequately supported by their national government. I mean, come on, can they do extensive farming? No.
Would anyone build a biga factory here knowing the extra costs they're gonna have when they're gonna ship their goods to other cities all over Japan by plane (pricier) or ship (slower) instead of doing it by train?
"So why are they poor?"
"Culture", said the idiot.
What is Professor Yamato? The majority of Japan is not Yamato, but...
Our hometown Okinawa is really great place 😍🙏
I never should have left.Dumbest thing I've ever done
In order to lend serious credence to this documentary on poverty, let's first start off with some nice bikini shots...
- Vice News -
🤣🤣🤣🤣😅, professional journalism right there.
Yea, that was odd smh . She was hot though lol
It's funny, I was going to criticize you, thinking, what is he even talking about? Then I thought back on the video. Hahaha, you're right. No need for that initial shot of her coming out of the water. I *think* they're trying to say, "Oh, you think this place is an island paradise, right?" and tried to confirm it by showing her. Then they get into the reality. Anyway, I still enjoyed it. Learned a lot.
And taking pills offered by strange old men, before drinking with them!
That was obviously to get and keep the male viewers attention lol
This is just a really bizarre take on the systemic issues that Okinawa faces...
When I lived in Japan I lived in the 2nd poorest prefecture, which was Gunma. I understand the difficulties that people have there.
Get out of Japan
And yet the most people over a hundred live there, is it because of the relaxed lifestyle? Or just genetics?
That's what I'm wondering too. Exercise? Healthy food? Clean air? Genes? Magic?
@@wabisabi7755 The higher life expectancy of the Japanese is mainly due to fewer deaths from ischemic heart disease, including myocardial infarction, and cancer (especially breast and prostate).
This exceptional longevity is explained by a low rate of obesity and a unique diet, characterized by a low consumption of red meat and a high consumption of fish and plant foods such as soybeans and tea
@@wabisabi7755 probably diet and active lifestyles. The traditional okinawan diet is pretty healthy
Ryukyu Islands (including Okinawa) used to be a rich independent merchant country before they were colonized by Yamato Japan and forced to assimilate- indigenous cultures & languages were outlawed, some were enslaved, many murdered. Many years later, the only land battle between Japan and US was fought on the stolen land of Okinawa, both sides murdered Okinawan people (among other disturbing war crimes). The US seized control of Okinawa before "returning" it to Yamato Japan- most of it. The US retains parts of Okinawa where soldiers are allowed full reign to sexually assault indigenous Ryukyu women, as the bases poison the waters (and water supply) and ecosystems. Yamato Japan started construction on a new base of the US in Okinawa, removing coral reefs and using soil that still contains the remains of Ryukyuans murdered by Japan and US in the Battle of Okinawa. You have someone from Yamato Japan come on to of course move all blame from Yamato Japan and the US by using the same old anti-indigenous rhetoric you hear to justify colonization in the Americas all the same- they're poor because their culture is poor and they're lazy alcoholics. What a goddamn shame this video is. I usually find VICE pretty interesting and would be excited to see my people represented but this video just makes me sick to my stomach, knowing everything my family has endured and how hard they've worked.
Thanks for the insight. Most of Vice video's are like this though, they're parroting the stereotype, so take it with a pinch of salt. The comment section usually a lot more informative than the actual report.
As a citizen of Okinawa, this is shockingly incorrect information. The Satsuma clan that ruled us was the Hayato clan, not Yamato. In the first place, the majority of Japan is not Yamato ethnic group. Hokkaido is called Mishihase, Tohoku is called Emishi, Seto Inland Sea is called Izumo, northern Kyushu is called Kumaso, and the Hayato tribe ruled us in the south. And the massacre? What are you saying? There was never a single massacre during the Satsuma clan's rule. Don't distort history. As Okinawans, we firmly condemn anyone using us to criticize Japan.
At 9:05 I realized this is a serious channel. Any youtuber would've shown the reporter's hangover, in comedic terms. This one went straight to the alcoholism clinic.
this is vice
Haha. I actually wanted to find out if those pills she took before drinking really worked.
@@conniekoo I have never got them to work so I guess she took a day off between filming.
In japan :If you work hard you loose friends
Meanwhile in my country:If i work hard i make enemies ( because of jealousy )
I am ok with loosing friends who don't want me to work hard
Lol try Japanese work?
In my country (Mexico) if one works hard, one makes enemies or lose friends (envy is common, even among friends)
@@ahmeterwinog6295 r u mexican brother??? .... I want to ask few question
@@kiran-yz8io yes. Why?
@@ahmeterwinog6295 whether mexico is safe to live??? .... Whats the average salary for a kfc or dominos server in mexico in us dollar???
respect to the mom. you can see in her eyes, she's definitely trying based on the situation presented to her T_T
Peace and hope things improve for her and the people there 🌻🙏👼💫
That partygirl is going to regret everything she's doing right now. Especially denying her ex husband access to his own child.
@@BalboaBaggins single women in Japan a highly discriminated against. She needs to do hostess work to survive
0:34 Cape Manza! My favorite beach! God I miss it there...
I'm Puerto Rican. I always appreciate when interviewers are not afraid to do an entire interview in a second language when they themselves are the visitors.
This is everywhere where it's popular to visit for the nice weather!
Lived in Okinawa for years, place is home to me.
Why your subtitles and text are so hurry???
Im seeing Okinawa geograficly have good position. why some japanese corporation who have export orientation not build factory there. So it more easy to reach pasific and south East Asia market??
9:19, maybe this is unrelated to the topic, but those ears are iconic.
Now I want a beer.
like how she chased uchincha down with cold beer haha
Is this a recent trend of alcoholism and broken families from the deteriorating economic conditions? I suspect things were better during the Bubble Era and people are still sufficiently making money from local tourism.
Okinawa is traditionally the poorest prefecture of Japan. I've visited twice, Okinawa is like literally just a baby step away from being 3rd World. Some might argue with me and say it already is, but I've been to my share of developing countries/islands. Okinawa isn't as poor as Philippines or Laos, but compared to the rest of Japan, definitely not on par. I'm from the USA, but have 10 years of experience in Asia, mostly in Thailand.
I just think it’s funny though because alcoholism is a problem across most of Japan, so why focus on that in a video about Okinawa and try to blame their problems on that?
why povery? becasue the occupier is interfering teh economic growth. Guam is teh same way, lowest living standard in the US.
You mean Japan right?
@@ianhomerpura8937 Okinawa was an independent nation. Japan invaded and started stealing rice. Only Japan claim it is the part of Japan. Internationally, it is the occupied nation.
@@truthmatters5536 I mean, it seems like the Okinawan people at the beginning are pretty patriotic for Japan. Not to mention Guam quite literally is one of the most patriotic places in the US as well. It seems as though your comment is based off of an outsider's perspective of the two island. Not based on reality, but if you want to extrapolate then that's fine. You do you.
@@noco7243 Patriotic? Japanese military stationed in Okinawa and force people to fight to death. Okinawan were fighting with banboo stcik agaisnt American machien gus. Or else, they need to kill themselves by Japanese military order.
@@truthmatters5536 literally, there's not nation in the world claiming that Okinawa is a independent nation, not even the okinawans themselves. What are you talking about??
Precious little girl may she have a good life
Be realistic
Homeboy at 9:18 looks like a mix between Buddha and Steve-O
Lmaooo I chocked 🤣😭
Bless the young single mom and all single moms of the world...
Was this filmed pre Covid? I hope the people there r ok. I can’t imagine how much they would be struggling bc of Covid lockdowns and lack of tourists :(
Went to Okinawa as tourist for few days, I didn't notice these issues.
The beginning looked like an Episode of ex on the beach
Unusual to the point video on the subject.
After watching tens of videos on machiyas, courthouses, Zen gardens, alleyways, ramen and you name. it, this shows another ignored side of reality. Congratulations!
Very interesting. I didn't know any of this. Is it safe to say that somehow, US' occupation messed with this prefecture?
There had been issues prior to and post occupation. The US certainly had their hand in it but by that logic, the US can claim that Guam is poor because Japan occupied it.
@Newkew your logic isn't even logical! The US gov't IS responsible for the poverty in Guam. They receive very little aid. Barely any representation. Just like Native Americans, poverty is unbelievable because of oppression. there are so many factors but it all goes back to the US gov't. If you're American shame on you for not learning more regarding the topic.
You act like they don't get paid for the bases being there and that service members don't spend millions of dollars off base
this documentary is a replica of zero content, she basically went to okinawa, got drunk.. blamed alcohol as the main reason for poverty..
i guess she was still high when she uploaded this as a documentary!
Man I really miss Okinawa
lower wages doesn't always means automatically poor. you must considering cost of life locally
17:30 did the subtitles glitch?
Poor representation and explanation of our mighty dragon kingdom. It definitely goes way deeper. Please make another video. Thank you. 🙇🏽♂️
ちばりよ!!!
the name of the intro music [Okinawa Forever - Goze]
I hope that economic activities get better.
Economic activities have gotten better, but it's all mainland and foreign companies that have showed up to exploit the local population to cater to tourists with money. The local population has benefited very little from all this - we still have the worst schools and worst pay in all of Japan and we're still paying an extra tax to help rebuild the areas hit by the tsunami over 10 years ago. These companies show up, develop the once beautiful coastline, then pay the local employees peanuts while sending millions and millions in profits back to Tokyo or some foreign investor. Unfortunately, this documentary only talks about symptoms of the real problem and doesn't even scratch the surface of why things are like this in Okinawa.
Wait did that lady say she think it better for the child to see parents hate each other WOW
19:11
"If I get sick... and can't work anymore..."
There's another level. A level where you can be sick, AND have to work. Being sick doesn't always mean game over (when it comes to work).
Hope that doesn't happen to you.
The Jacksonville of Japan.
Who is the reporter here? She's fantastic
Okinawa prefecture was its own Sovereign country before the 1800's. Do not forget this fact
@smxkfjfkd flfkfktfkgkg The Ryukyu kingdoms prove that notion to be false
@smxkfjfkd flfkfktfkgkg Nope, it was the Kingdom of Loochoo. A sovereign state that you people need to know.
It's not hidden, GDP per person in Okinawa has apparently been the lowest among the whole prefectures for long, which every Japanese has known.
All I could think of was Ryuuji's mom from Toradora! at the part about young single mothers working in nightlife
This is probably one if not the most poorly done/researched documentary from vice.
Couldn't agree more.
I was in Naha a few years ago overnight, I didn't spend much time in the city as I was just there to go to Zamami Island and also spent some time a bit north closer to nature. However, I couldn't help but notice everything - including the hotel near the bay I stayed at - seemed to be older or at least more worn out. The city actually seemed grittier than the other Japanese cities I have been to. It was...strange. I am from NY and I didn't need to go to "American Villiage" to see the lingering influences ... sad.
But you actually went there for the amercan "heritage" .
@@PHlophe Of course not... I went there to climb and go diving, and get out of the winter cold.
It’s the climate and typhoons. Really hard on the infrastructure. Everything has to be built like a bunker and it’s hard to keep things looking nice. That being said Halekulani and Ritz Carlton are nice 😊.
@@sapphirexwind i personally like the fact that it isn't as neat and tidy as the rest of japan. It's a lot more rugged and natural, felt like i'd left japan and was in a village in thailand. I wish i can go back one day
What’s the song in the beginning
I know this is digressing but I don't think the burp at 8:11 was necessary. 😂
Damn you guys went to a serious party
What song is in the beginning?
Poverty is everywhere that's a sad reality of life. 😞
Anyone know the song playing at the end?
jesus, i didnt think it would be this depressing
I love this opening track. Does anyone the song?
Don’t judge the single mom. They worked hard for their kids.
Check the stats in USA prison overwhelmingly populated by young men raised in single mother homes..plain facts…raising kids in any culture by yourself is overwhelmingly…
@@ycaceres3357 mission impossible
Anyone know the song @19:19 ?
19:18 What is the song title?
Well the way it goes is common in every tourist area all over the world.
15:52 one out of two single mother in japan below poverty which is below 11.000 USD anually
Well that is big money and it is still below poverty
Wow i surprise
Annual USD 11.000 is very low for Japanese standard since Japan GDP per capita is above USD 30.000. Also annual USD 11.000 means less than USD 1.000 per month. The minimum salary for fresh graduate in Japan is around USD 2.000 per month. If you calculate the living cost in Japan, you will find that USD 1.000 is not enough for single mom with one children, USD 2.000 is bare minumun for single only.
"After we're done drinking here, let's go drink somewhere..."🤯
Dear lord the nationalist dudes waving a flag behind the conversation when the reporter clearly looks at least mixed must have been a complicated situation
Exactly lol
Those people aren't nice about such things
Its pretty ironic too since The ryukyu islands are technically occupied by japan right now. Okinawa was once under rule of their own ryukyu kingdom until it was invaded by japan. They celebrate the independence from the US but dont realize they are still under control of another foreign nation
Sometimes you gotta believe that the gun germs and steel type of geo-determinism is kinda true.
Yes, in some cases. Check out "why nations fail", by Acemoglu and Robinson. They nail it beyond Jared Diamonds work, (of which I am a fan).