Night in the American Village

Women in the Shadow of the US Military Bases in Okinawa

By: Akemi Johnson

Narrated by: Nancy Wu

A beautifully written examination of the complex relationship between the women living near the US bases in Okinawa and the servicemen who are stationed there

At the southern end of the Japanese archipelago lies Okinawa, host to a vast complex of US military bases. A legacy of World War II, these bases have been a fraught issue in Japan for decades - with tensions exacerbated by the often volatile relationship between islanders and the military, especially after the brutal rape of a 12-year-old girl by three servicemen in the 1990s.

But the situation is more complex than it seems. In Night in the American Village, journalist Akemi Johnson takes listeners deep into the “border towns” surrounding the bases - a world where cultural and political fault lines compel individuals, both Japanese and American, to continually renegotiate their own identities. Focusing on the women there, she follows the complex fallout of the murder of an Okinawan woman by an ex-US serviceman in 2016 and speaks to protesters, to women who date and marry American men, and groups that help them when problems arise, and to Okinawans whose family members survived World War II.

Thought-provoking and timely, Night in the American Village is a vivid look at the enduring wounds of US-Japanese history and the cultural and sexual politics of the American military empire.

©2019 Akemi Johnson (P)2019 Blackstone Publishing

Critic reviews

“A searing and stylish debut. . . . This is a must-read look at the impact of the US’s overseas military presence on the people who live near it, cultural collisions, and gendered violence.” (Publishers Weekly)

Well Worth A Listen!

A fascinating book focused on Okinawa but really describing the impact of U.S. military bases on any country where they are located. Keep in mind there are hundreds of U.S. bases located throughout the world. The book is well written with wonderful narration

Important read for all

Whether you come from Okinawa, have lived there for a short time, or never heard of it at all, this story is so vital to hear so that we may deeply understand the aftermath of war and become a better society.

Interesting read for those interested in Okinawa history

I love that it’s through the eyes of women, giving a new perspective on Okinawa / US base history rather than the usual military history.

Engaging and Harrowing Stories

Very well written, well performed by the reader and very engaging. I learned so much about Okinawa from this book and it helped to have visited Okinawa. I began reading it before I left for Okinawa and continued reading it on my journey home and there on afterwards. I felt more connected to it reflecting back on all the places I visited and knowing my family history of being Okinawan. It really helped me gain a better understanding of the country, its relationship with the military bases as well as my own origins.

An interesting read if you ever go to Okinawa

The beginning is hard and first half of the book looks like tear-jerker. BUT the author manages to present rather unbiased view of all three sides (JAP, USA and RYU).
All important info is mentioned. The author lays out history and tells the stories of eye witnesses.
It would have been interesting to see what happened with Urasoe Bay and whether Okinawans won against US and JP in Henoko base matters after 2018. Given they have a new PM and CoViD-19 must have had a detrimental influence on protests.