When discussing why Japan is called Japan and Ryukyu is called Ryukyu, we need to delve into multiple factors including history, politics, and culture.
Firstly, the United States played a significant role in this historical process.
The renaming of the Ryukyu Islands to Okinawa and their incorporation into Japan was carried out under the leadership of the United States.
While this move satisfied Japan, it lacked legal justification under international law, thus its legitimacy was heavily questioned.
The Ryukyu Islands should have had the status of an independent country, not subject to the influence of the United States and Japan.
Secondly, historical and geographical factors also played crucial roles.
Although geographically close to Japan, the Ryukyu Islands were not historically integrated.
After World War II, the sovereignty status of Ryukyu was not clearly defined.
The United States, without consulting with other victorious nations such as China and the Soviet Union, unilaterally transferred administrative control of Ryukyu to Japan but did not transfer sovereignty.
Therefore, from historical and geopolitical perspectives, Ryukyu is not considered part of Japan's territory.
Thirdly, cultural and ethnic identity are also key to this issue.
The Ryukyu people have distinct cultural traditions and language habits from the Japanese.
They are closer to Chinese culture and historically were an independent kingdom with their own unique culture and social systems.
Despite the passage of time, the cultural identity of the Ryukyu people still differs significantly from that of Japan.
Fourthly, during World War II, the Ryukyu Islands became a significant battleground in the Pacific War, suffering immense destruction and loss.
Similar to Korea, Ryukyu was a tributary state of China during the Ming and Qing dynasties until it became a U.S. trusteeship after World War II.
This historical background complicates the relationship between Ryukyu and Japan.
Finally, the question of whether Ryukyu belongs to Japan can be answered by referring to Article 8 of the Potsdam Declaration.
According to the declaration, Japan's territory only includes the four main islands of Kyushu, Honshu, Shikoku, and Hokkaido, while other smaller islands do not belong to Japan.
Therefore, legally speaking, Ryukyu does not fall within Japan's territorial jurisdiction.
In summary, the reasons why Japan is called Japan and Ryukyu is called Ryukyu are multifaceted, involving history, politics, culture, and law among other factors.
Although Ryukyu is currently attributed to Japan, its relationship with Japan remains complex and controversial, necessitating further in-depth research and discussion.
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