Changes

By the turn of the 20th century, nationwide efforts to provide uniform education and create a uniform culture and language were implemented in Okinawa as they were throughout the nation, inspiring the formation in [[1896]] by former royal [[prince Sho En|prince Shô En]] and a number of noble supporters of the [[Kodokai|Kôdôkai]] ("Society for Public Unity"), which worked to strongly oppose assimilation, and to petition for the restoration of rule by Okinawans.<ref>[[George Kerr]], ''Okinawa: the History of an Island People'' (revised ed.), Boston: Tuttle Publishing (2000), 425.; Smits, ''Visions of Ryukyu'', University of Hawaii Press (1999), 148-149.</ref> The formation of the field of Okinawan Studies, pioneered by [[Iha Fuyu|Iha Fuyû]] at this time, was also inspired by Narahara's programs to eliminate [[Okinawan language]], culture, and identity.<ref>"[http://kotobank.jp/word/%E5%A5%88%E8%89%AF%E5%8E%9F%E7%B9%81 Narahara Shigeru]." ''Asahi Nihon rekishi jinbutsu jiten'' 朝日日本歴史人物事典. Accessed via Kotobank.jp, 27 May 2010.</ref>

By the turn of the 20th century, nationwide efforts to provide uniform education and create a uniform culture and language were implemented in Okinawa as they were throughout the nation, inspiring the formation in [[1896]] by former royal [[prince Sho En|prince Shô En]] and a number of noble supporters of the [[Kodokai|Kôdôkai]] ("Society for Public Unity"), which worked to strongly oppose assimilation, and to petition for the restoration of rule by Okinawans.<ref>[[George Kerr]], ''Okinawa: the History of an Island People'' (revised ed.), Boston: Tuttle Publishing (2000), 425.; Smits, ''Visions of Ryukyu'', University of Hawaii Press (1999), 148-149.</ref> The formation of the field of Okinawan Studies, pioneered by [[Iha Fuyu|Iha Fuyû]] at this time, was also inspired by Narahara's programs to eliminate [[Okinawan language]], culture, and identity.<ref>"[http://kotobank.jp/word/%E5%A5%88%E8%89%AF%E5%8E%9F%E7%B9%81 Narahara Shigeru]." ''Asahi Nihon rekishi jinbutsu jiten'' 朝日日本歴史人物事典. Accessed via Kotobank.jp, 27 May 2010.</ref>

Okinawa saw modernization of its infrastructure and public institutions in the Meiji period as well, though more slowly and to a smaller extent than in much of the rest of the Empire. The first modern theater in the islands, the [[Nakamo Engeijo|Nakamô Engeijô]], opened in [[1891]]. The first public library in Okinawa was opened in [[1906]] in Nago, the [[Okinawa Prefectural Library]] was established in [[1910]] with [[Iha Fuyu|Iha Fuyû]] as its first director, and the first [[Okinawa Electric Railway|electric railway]] was opened in [[1911]].

Okinawa saw modernization of its infrastructure and public institutions in the Meiji period as well, though more slowly and to a smaller extent than in much of the rest of the Empire. The first modern theater in the islands, the [[Nakamo Engeijo|Nakamô Engeijô]], opened in [[1891]]. The first public library in Okinawa was opened in [[1906]] in Nago, the [[Okinawa Prefectural Library]] was established in [[1910]] with [[Iha Fuyu|Iha Fuyû]] as its first director, and the first [[Okinawa Electric Railway|electric railway]], running a short distance within Naha City, was opened in [[1911]]. [[Okinawa Light Rail|Light rail]] lines were extended across the island beginning in 1914, connecting Naha with [[Yonabaru]], [[Kadena]], and [[Itoman]]; however, the rail lines were never rebuilt after their destruction in World War II,<ref>Plaque at Naha Bus Terminal, former site of Naha Station.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/29880322403/sizes/o/]</ref> and the only train line in the prefecture today is the Okinawa Monorail, which runs from Naha Airport to Shuri (with planned extension into [[Urasoe]]).

Mainland businesses began to expand into Okinawa, even seizing monopolistic levels of dominance in many locales and commercial sectors, pushing Okinawan local/native merchants and entrepreneurs into far weaker positions, or out of business entirely.<ref>Kerr, 398.</ref> Facing considerable economic difficulties, not to mention in at least some cases cultural and/or political opposition to Japanese assimilation, many Okinawans began to emigrate to Hawaii, Latin America, and elsewhere. Okinawa was one of the top prefectures from which people emigrated in the late Meiji period, and Hawaii continues today to be the home of the largest Okinawan diasporic community in the world. The first Okinawan immigrants arrived in Hawaii in [[1900]], and immigration peaked in [[1906]], with nearly 4,500 people arriving in that year.

Mainland businesses began to expand into Okinawa, even seizing monopolistic levels of dominance in many locales and commercial sectors, pushing Okinawan local/native merchants and entrepreneurs into far weaker positions, or out of business entirely.<ref>Kerr, 398.</ref> Facing considerable economic difficulties, not to mention in at least some cases cultural and/or political opposition to Japanese assimilation, many Okinawans began to emigrate to Hawaii, Latin America, and elsewhere. Okinawa was one of the top prefectures from which people emigrated in the late Meiji period, and Hawaii continues today to be the home of the largest Okinawan diasporic community in the world. The first Okinawan immigrants arrived in Hawaii in [[1900]], and immigration peaked in [[1906]], with nearly 4,500 people arriving in that year.