On the 15th we walked over to the National Archives of Japan, two buildings from the Palaceside Building, to see the special exhibition “Tracing Okinawa’s Reversion to Japan in Official Documents,” which Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress are said to have viewed on the 14th. With a light rain falling, there were few visitors and a quiet atmosphere, so we could look at the precious materials at leisure. The exhibition runs through the 19th. Admission is free.
As you know, this year marks 50 years since Okinawa returned to Japan from U.S. administration. The special exhibition gathers materials on the path to reversion and what followed. About 40 rare items are on view, including the original promulgated text of the Okinawa Reversion Agreement bearing the Showa Emperor’s signature and imperial seal, and the handwritten diary of Prime Minister Eisaku Sato, who took part in the negotiations. We were able to walk through them for as long as time allowed.