What is World Uchinanchu Day?

Okinawa is known as one of the prefectures in Japan that has sent out the most immigrants. It is estimated that there about 420,000 Uchinanchu living outside of Okinawa. Over one hundred years ago, our ancestors worked hard to create a life for themselves abroad. With the guiding words of Kyuzo Toyama, widely known as the father of Okinawan immigration, "Set forth! Our home lies in the five continents," they perservered through many challenges in foreign lands. Now, thanks to their efforts, those foreign lands have each become a place for Okinawan culture to thrive and grow as it's passed down to new generations.

In 1990, with the goal of creating a network connecting all of the Uchinanchu communities around the world, the inaugural World Uchinanchu Festival was held here in Okinawa. The festival was an opportunity for Uchinanchu from around the world to experience Okinawa's cultural depth and charm. Since then, the World Uchinanchu Festival has been held every five years, with every festival expanding and deepening the existing global network.

Then, on October 30th, 2016, during the sixth festival (the five-year cycle was pushed back a year in 2000 due to the G7 Summit being held in Okinawa), it was announced that October 30th would be designated as "World Uchinanchu Day." The establishment of World Uchinanchu Day is aimed to convey the hope that the global Uchinanchu network will continue to grow and be inherited by the coming generations. It is hoped that this day becomes an occasion for Uchinanchu communities to celebrate how far they've come and reflect on how much farther they can go.