<p><span style="color:#e74c3c;"><strong> What is the Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival?</strong></span></p>

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<p>The Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival is a unique and progressive event that brings together people with Okinawan roots from all over the world, much like a large family reunion. Here's an overview of this significant gathering:</p>

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<h2>Purpose and History</h2>
The Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival aims to:

<ul>
	<li index="0">Honor the achievements of Okinawan descendants worldwide</li>
	<li index="1">Expand and develop the "Uchina Network" through exchanges with Okinawa residents</li>
	<li index="2">Reaffirm participants' roots and identity in their ancestral homeland</li>
	<li index="3">Pass on Okinawan culture and heritage to future generations</li>
</ul>

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<h2>Background</h2>

<ul>
	<li index="0">Okinawa has a rich history of emigration spanning over a century</li>
	<li index="1">Approximately 420,000 people of Okinawan descent (known as "Uchinanchu") live abroad</li>
	<li index="2">Okinawan immigrants have overcome hardships and maintained strong ties to their homeland</li>
</ul>

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<h2>Key Aspects of the Festival</h2>

<ul>
	<li index="0">Held every five years in Okinawa</li>
	<li index="1">Features cultural workshops, stage shows, and welcome events in various municipalities</li>
	<li index="2">Includes exhibitions on Okinawan immigration history and cultural exchange events</li>
	<li index="3">Promotes understanding of Okinawa's unique soft power (culture, traditional arts, history, language, customs, and nature)</li>
</ul>

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<h2>Objectives</h2>

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<ol>
	<li index="0">Strengthen the Uchina Network and deepen bonds among Uchinanchu</li>
	<li index="1">Encourage younger generations to explore opportunities abroad</li>
	<li index="2">Promote understanding of diverse cultures and Okinawa's peace-loving spirit</li>
	<li index="3">Showcase Okinawa as an international tourist destination and its local products</li>
</ol>

<h2>Significance</h2>

<p>The festival coincides with the 50th anniversary of Okinawa's reversion to Japan, making it a particularly momentous occasion. It serves as a platform for cultural exchange, identity reinforcement, and the continuation of Okinawan traditions worldwide</p>

<p>This year, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Okinawa's reversion to Japan, the "7th Worldwide Uchinanchu Festival" is generating great excitement. Although not widely known in mainland Japan, this is a very progressive and warm event where people with Okinawan roots living around the world gather like a large family. It's a once-in-five-year opportunity. I will also participate as an observer for three days starting from October 30.</p>

<p>(Kazumi Miyazaki, Organizer of Global Community)　</p>

<p><a href="https://wuf2022.com/ja/about/">https://wuf2022.com/ja/about/</a></p>
