Irei no Hi: Remembering the Battle of Okinawa (Free Screening of Short Documentaries) – HYBRID

Date: June 22, 2025

Time: 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

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80 years after the Battle of Okinawa:
FREE documentary screening at OAA and online

On June 22 (Sunday), 2 p.m., the Okinawa Association of America (OAA) in Gardena will host their annual Irei no Hi: Remembering the Battle of Okinawa event. This FREE event will be in-person at the OAA Center’s Yamauchi Building (16500 South Western Avenue; on-site parking accessible behind Western Ave. buildings off 165th Place) and online via Zoom. Registration required: tinyurl.com/oaa-irei-25, (310) 532-1929.

A special guest speaker from Okinawa was originally scheduled to join us online via Zoom, but an injury that they sustained while peacefully protesting U.S. Marine Corps base construction in Henoko, Nago City, has forced them to postpone (rescheduled date to be announced).

Instead, the OAA will screen two short documentaries: “Testimonies of the Battle of Okinawa” from the Okinawa Historical Society (35 minutes, English narration and Japanese and Korean interviews with English subtitles) and “Anime Himeyuri” from the Himeyuri Peace Foundation (30 minutes, Japanese with English subtitles). (Note: This event is not affiliated with the respective organizations)

The Battle of Okinawa was one of the bloodiest land battles in the Pacific, with historians calling it a “war of attrition” by the Imperial Japanese Army to prevent the U.S. from reaching the Japanese mainland. In addition to massive devastation from U.S. invasion and artillery fire, Okinawans experienced atrocities committed by their own country: Imperial Japanese Army soldiers coerced large groups of civilians into taking their own lives, minors were forced to become soldiers and army nurses, entire villages had no choice but to seek shelter in dark uninhabitable caves or were ordered to evacuate to malaria-infested forestland.

In Okinawa, there are several memorial sites, historical landmarks, and museums dedicated to preserving this harrowing history. A memorial day known as Irei no Hi (慰霊の日) is observed annually on June 23 with messages of peace from government officials and students. This date was officially documented as the end of the battle in 1945, although Okinawa’s suffering continued long after. This year marks the 80th anniversary.

The goal of the OAA's Irei no Hi events is to memorialize the nearly 150,000 Okinawans who were lost and to ensure that communities never forget Okinawa’s history and its connection to current issues (the disproportionately large U.S. military presence in Okinawa is directly linked to the war). Past speakers have included the late Governor Masahide Ōta, Government Representative Keiko Itokazu, historian and educator Harumi Miyagi, and documentary filmmaker Hanayo Oya.

The Okinawa Association of America, Inc. (OAA) is an award-winning 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and perpetuating Okinawan culture in the greater Los Angeles area. Formed by first generation immigrants (issei) over a century ago, the OAA has grown into a multi-generational organization that hosts numerous events throughout the year including cultural presentations, performances, and senior-focused activities. The OAA's decades of service have garnered accolades including the 2025 Community Organization Recognition Award (Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California), 2023 California Nonprofit of the Year (nominated by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, 66th District) and 2019 Frances K. Hashimoto Community Service Award (Nisei Week Foundation). OAA leaders have also been recognized by the Okinawa Prefectural Government as Overseas Goodwill Ambassadors and Next Generation Representatives.

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