Okinawa: The Afterburn (Urizun no Ame) – Special Screening

Directed by American John Junkerman, long-term resident of Japan and Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker, Okinawa: The Afterburn is a sweeping, in-depth look at the wartime and postwar history of Okinawa and the massive American military presence on the island. Consisting of interviews and rare archival footage on the 1945 Battle of Okinawa, the 27-year American occupation and the ongoing struggles of the local people up until the present, the film is a powerful statement on the historical background and complex reality of US bases on Okinawa, an issue that remains highly controversial on both the island itself and in mainland Japan. This special screening at the Hibiya Convention Hall (inside the Hibiya Library & Museum) will be followed by a discussion with the director and Sophia University professor Koichi Nakano (conducted in English). Don't miss this chance to get a thorough introduction to one of modern Japan's most pressing political issues.