Koza Riots

[P_chan]

So what really happened to cause the koza riot? I know there was a lot of different factors but what was the actual incident that caused the riot? There was a cultural awareness briefing on kadena yesterday and they were informing military members about why okinawans protest so much:rolleyes:. They mentioned the koza riot and were talking about what caused it. I always heard that a military person hit an okinawan with his vehicle. Then once the MPs came they tried to take the vehicle and military guy back on base and weren’t helping the victim. This caused the locals to surround them and verbally attack them so the MPs fired off warning shots. Which pissed them off even more and the riot ensued. That is what I always heard.

Yet in this briefing they said that the MPs were trying to take him to the local police station for processing and the locals misunderstood it as a cover up so the whole thing was sparked over a misunderstanding. Which I have a hard time believing. So I was wondering if anyone could verify either one of these stories with sources. I tried to do a google search, but my google skills are lacking.

[Trail]

Wah? This is the first I have heard of this. Not good..... IMO "Oh noez...." :::shocked face:::

Edit to add...
I was a *****tard and thought this was yesterday. (I misread the OP)

[okisteve]

When was that?

[Ammoyankee]

It was on 20 December 1970.

http://www.62ndmpco.org/riot/riot1.asp

I am curious if US citizens were "compenated" for their loss of personal property?

[Ammoyankee]

Every culture/ethnic group has a reason or agenda for protests or riots...

Japanese protest the military presence and usually want more compensation (compensation=money).

South Koreans protest basically anything and enjoy firebombing police.

(Insert group here) protest because of alleged mistreatment and the chance to pillage local stores and steal TV's!

[DJ Tak]

From a Japanese Point of view:

Koza Riot

　On December 20, 1970, a vehicle driven by an American soldier hit an Okinawan. The Military Police who rushed to the site paid no attention to the victim and tried to carry away the car to the base. Around 1,000 people surrounded them and protested. The frightened MP started fired warning shots. As the angry people closed in, the MPs ran away firing shots. The soldier responsible for the incident was beaten up. More and more people gathered and started burning the vehicles nearby such as army trucks, MP jeeps and cars with yellow plates that indicated the US ownership. Towards the midnight, the crowd kept growing. One group burned police boxes while the other went to Kadena Base. They broke the gate and set fire on the filing cabinets and the American school. Armed soldiers fired tear gas. Helicopters also sprayed tear gas over the masses. This group was pushed outside by the armed soldiers while the other headed towards the U.S. headquarters. By the dawn, they all dispersed. Some 80 cars were destroyed. 19 were arrested and many wounded. The police applied the crime of riot but could not prosecute any of them. They were charged with other crimes and punished. There was no damage recorded to persons or properties of Okinawa.

In those days, 63% of Koza (present Okinawa city) was occupied by the bases. Koza’s economy was 80% dependent on the bases. On one hand, Koza flourished “thanks to” the war in Vietnam. On the other hand, Koza suffered much by the crimes committed by the GIs. Koza Riot in a way was a natural outcome of this situation. The US government still remembers the fear caused by Koza riot. Though it was a spontaneous riot, there was a certain order and discipline observed by all who joined it.


http://www.jca.apc.org/wsf_support/2004doc/WSFJapUSBaseRepoFinalAll.html

[P_chan]

Yeah but I was looking for something with some references.

[chiefk]

It was on 20 December 1970.

http://www.62ndmpco.org/riot/riot1.asp

I am curious if US citizens were "compenated" for their loss of personal property?

My car was burned on Moromi St. I was drug out of the car before it was firebombed. I was then beaten by the rioters on the street and rescued by the Okinawan cops who dragged me to their little police box.
I was paid for my car by submitting a claim through the kadena legal office. I think I got just what I paid for it, about $600.00.
BTW I was on my way to work about 0530 and got trapped in the whole mess.

[Oxmix]

My car was burned on Moromi St. I was drug out of the car before it was firebombed. I was then beaten by the rioters on the street and rescued by the Okinawan cops who dragged me to their little police box.
I was paid for my car by submitting a claim through the kadena legal office. I think I got just what I paid for it, about $600.00.
BTW I was on my way to work about 0530 and got trapped in the whole mess.

What a bummer to get caught up in that. :( I hope you weren't hurt too bad.

Regards

Ox

[Old guy]

found this
http://http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=wXjs5MpPRtw

[Ammoyankee]

Would have been a good time for a strafing run!

[chiefk]

Would have been a good time for a strafing run!

Actually there were Army helicopters flying low over Moromi street back and forth. I could hear them when I was in the police sub-station. I wish they would have started strafing.