卒業論文詳細 | 同志社大学社会学研究科

学科	社会学科	ゼミ教員名	MATTIAS VAN OMMEN	年度	2025年度
タイトル	The Way Young Generations in Okinawa Face the U.S. Military Base Issue: Regional Influence and the Fusion of Two Cultures

内容	This thesis examines the factors that shape perceptions of the military base issue on an individual level. The results suggest that even within Okinawa Prefecture , differences in regional background significantly influence perceptions of the bases. It is proposed that NIMBY (not in my backyard) dynamics related to U.S. military bases exist not between the main islands of Japan and Okinawa Prefecture , but within Okinawa Prefecture itself , specifically between the southern region and the central and northern regions. Also , this paper will investigate whether acceptance of the bases reflects genuine approval or a sense of resignation stemming from the belief that its removal is unavoidable. For the latter , two groups emerged: those seeking a new path of coexistence with the bases , and those who resolve their inner conflicts due to cognitive dissonance. The research method used was online semi-structured interviews that took about one hour. The participants were eight individuals in their 20s and 30s who were born and raised in Okinawa Prefecture , selected through the snowball sampling method.

内容

This thesis examines the factors that shape perceptions of the military base issue on an individual level. The results suggest that even within Okinawa Prefecture , differences in regional background significantly influence perceptions of the bases. It is proposed that NIMBY (not in my backyard) dynamics related to U.S. military bases exist not between the main islands of Japan and Okinawa Prefecture , but within Okinawa Prefecture itself , specifically between the southern region and the central and northern regions. Also , this paper will investigate whether acceptance of the bases reflects genuine approval or a sense of resignation stemming from the belief that its removal is unavoidable. For the latter , two groups emerged: those seeking a new path of coexistence with the bases , and those who resolve their inner conflicts due to cognitive dissonance. The research method used was online semi-structured interviews that took about one hour. The participants were eight individuals in their 20s and 30s who were born and raised in Okinawa Prefecture , selected through the snowball sampling method.

講評	This thesis makes a thoughtful , sociological contribution to the literature on US military bases in Okinawa. Perhaps the biggest accomplishment of this thesis is that it strikes the right balance between letting one’s own views drive research while being open-minded to whatever data emerges. In other words , it is apparent that the author started this project already having some ideas about the topic—it is good to use such feelings as a motivation to pursue research. Yet , from the interview data , it is also clear that author was able to respect interviewees’ voices , while appropriately weaving in relevant literature and his own thoughts. Even though there were some concerns regarding the pace in which study participants were contacted , in the end the author was able to follow through. The result is a thesis that makes an original , refreshing contribution regarding how young people in Okinawa view the base issue.

講評

This thesis makes a thoughtful , sociological contribution to the literature on US military bases in Okinawa. Perhaps the biggest accomplishment of this thesis is that it strikes the right balance between letting one’s own views drive research while being open-minded to whatever data emerges. In other words , it is apparent that the author started this project already having some ideas about the topic—it is good to use such feelings as a motivation to pursue research. Yet , from the interview data , it is also clear that author was able to respect interviewees’ voices , while appropriately weaving in relevant literature and his own thoughts. Even though there were some concerns regarding the pace in which study participants were contacted , in the end the author was able to follow through. The result is a thesis that makes an original , refreshing contribution regarding how young people in Okinawa view the base issue.

キーワード1	NIMBY
キーワード2	cognitive
キーワード3	dissonance
キーワード4	Okinawa
キーワード5