Over one third of the world’s Uchinānchu population resides outside of the Ryukyu Islands. In comparison, approximately 2% of the world’s ethnic Japanese reside outside of Japan while over 4% of the world’s ethnic Chinese population, reside outside of China. This large percentage of Uchinānchu “abroad” stem from immigration that began in the late 19th century.

In 1879, the Meiji government of Japan formally annexed the Ryukyu Kingdom, transforming the once independent kingdom into another Japanese prefecture. It was during this time that Okinawa Island experienced difficult socio-economical conditions. The large population on Okinawa Island combined with frequent typhoons and droughts made food and resources scarce.

Prefectures in the southern regions of mainland Japan also experienced difficult economical conditions which led towards the migration of thousands overseas. The Uchinānchu however, were forbidden to travel abroad as the Meiji government held discriminatory views towards them. It was not until the efforts of a young man named Kyuzo Toyama, were the Uchinānchu finally allowed to travel abroad.

Toyama, born to poor rural family in Kin City in central Okinawa Island, would become instrumental in convincing the government to allow the Uchinānchu to migrate. Despite humble beginnings, Toyama was highly educated in Tokyo and would rise through the ranks of the Okinawan Prefectural government which was dominated by the mainland Japanese at the time. Through his efforts, he was able to convince the governor to allow the migration of the Uchinānchu abroad. With the motto "Let us go forth. The Five Continents are our home. Sincerity and determination will uphold us.", many Uchinānchu departed for destinations such as Brazil, Hawaii, and Peru.

Today, there are over 300,000 Uchinānchu living outside of Okinawa, with Brazil, Hawaii, and Peru containing some of the largest communities respectively. Although these overseas Uchinānchu are now a part of a new community, many continue to maintain their identity as Uchinānchu. Events such as the Worldwide Uchinānchu Conference are occasions where Uchinānchu from across the globe gather together. Universities in Okinawa continue to receive a number of students of Uchinānchu heritage, who hail from countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, and the United States.

Further Reading:
World Wide Uchinanchu
Okinawa Times article on Kyuzo Toyama
Star Bulletin article on Hawaii-Uchinanchu celebrating 100 years in Hawaii