Commentary on themes by historical period

The Senkaku Islands were included as a part of Okinawa, for which administrative authority was returned to Japan

　Japan and the U.S. signed the Okinawa Reversion Agreement on June 17, 1971, thereby deciding to return the administrative rights for Okinawa to Japan. The Agreed Minutes of this Agreement provided that the geographic scope of the returned area is the one specified by USCAR Proclamation No. 27 (December 25, 1953), which includes the Senkaku IslandsNo.74.

　The Okinawa Reversion Agreement between Japan and the U.S. entered into effect on May 15, 1972, marking the return of administrative authority over Okinawa to Japan.

　Our research has confirmed the existence of a “Comprehensive Map of Okinawa Prefecture”No.75 showing the area of Okinawa Prefecture, administrative authority over which was returned to Japan. This is believed to have been prepared for the commemoration ceremony for the Okinawa Reversion (venue: Naha Civic Hall) organized by the Japanese Government on May 15, when the Okinawa Reversion Agreement entered into force, and is held in the repository of the Okinawa Prefectural Archives as a document related to the Okinawa Reversion commemoration ceremony.

　 At the time of the Okinawa Reversion Agreement with the U.S., Kuba and Taisho Islands continued to be provided to the U.S. military as gunnery and bombing ranges in accordance with the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement.