8th August
Today (7th) marks the day were I got the opportunity to visit the Air Base of Kadena, through a friend I was able to get a permit to enter for a few hours. To make the most out of this
chance I wanted to conduct a Interview with someone on base.
The first impression doesn’t fail to impress, from the strict security at the gate through
the detailed process of getting my permit. I had to bring my passport which was
scanned and I also had my picture and fingerprints taken, this is all part of the security
measures. After entering with what also stuck with me was the sheer size of the base as
it is not at all crammed up. The buildings also looked like out of an american highschool
movie, neatly lined up they formed small suburbs. But nothing prepared me to the sight
of the american style mall, the building itself looked normal from the outside but firstly
the parking space was abnormaly big and that also goes for the things they sold in the
store.
It really was as if I have set foot into america. It was quite the fascinating
experience to see that there was a “country” within Okinawa that was so diIerent to the
outside world, locked behind some gates. It was also in this mall that I have found
someone who was willing to answer a few of my questions, which can only be noted as
personal experience as the military code is quite strict. And everybody who lives or
works on the base falls within that code.
Interview with a representative on the U.S. Air Base Kadena:
Conclusion and Reflection
This interview provided me with an in-depth look at the intercultural life on Okinawa. I
think I’ve learnt a lot avout how the U.S. military presence and the local Okinawan
community interact, cooperate, and sometimes face challenges in maintaining their
distinct cultural identities. I know that there have been Issues when it comes to the two
cultures living in such close distance. And what I think I also failed to note in this
interview is the side of the Okinawans, because even though this Interview might make
it seem like everything is working alright the power between these to cultures is just far
too diIerent. As the US is even backed up by the japanese Government the Okinawans
don’t really have a choice other than coexistance. This being said I think it was a nice
experience to hear about the efforts of the Americans when it comes to cultural
integration and coexistance.