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Uchinanchu Abroad Significant numbers of Uchinanchu migrated abroad in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The largest communities are in Brazil, America, Peru, Argentina, and Bolivia, in that order. Many left for a combination of economic reasons, though there are some indications that some left for political reasons as well. In many Latin American countries, the Uchinanchu population constitutes a large and significant proportion of the local "Nikkei" population. Migrant remittances in the pre-war period were crucial towards the subsidization of both families and development projects at home. In the post-war period, significant worldwide relief efforts were initiated through the various Uchinanchu communities to help those back home who had been most impacted by the devastation of the Battle of Okinawa. Post-war migration to certain Latin American countries such as Brazil, Argentina, and Bolivia was encouraged under the auspices of the American occupation authorities, largely as a means to deal with overpopulation as a result of the end of the war, and the tremendous burdens that were placed on local infrastructure following the occupation. Additionally, as a result of the occupation, large numbers of Uchinanchu were dispossessed from their lands, and migration abroad was encouraged to deal with these issues as well.
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E-mail the Okinawa
Peace Network of Los Angeles at roninred@yahoo.com |