The Dark Side of Japan's Paradise Island | Trouble in Paradise 

A good documentary could be made on this subject, but I'm sorry to say that this isn't it. I've been in Okinawa my entire adult life and have been married to an amazing Okinawan woman for over 16 years. The topics discussed here are not unique to Okinawa and the culture is not to blame for Okinawa's economic issues. You can find heavy drinking, single mothers in hostess bars, and worse almost anywhere in Japan (and in particular Tokyo). It's almost offensive seeing someone living in Tokyo come here (and based on instagram posts, during a time when travel to Okinawa was strongly discouraged) and lecture on Okinawa's poverty issues without acknowledging Tokyo's very significant role in Okinawa's economic situation. That ties in to the US military presence here as well since that is intertwined with Tokyo. If you want to make a real documentary on this subject, you need to spend more time here and go back many, many decades and learn about how Okinawa has been exploited and taken advantage of again and again and it continues to happen today. Perhaps your placing the blame on the culture is backwards and rather the culture evolved to cope with the never-ending exploitation and impossible upward mobility in the workforce?

This documentary feels so superficial , the guy she interview just blame the culture, the laziness and alcoholism, the video seems to mostly focus on the main Okinawa island but okinawa porverty stadistics are affected by the people living on the smaller and less developed islands like Miyako, Minamidaitou, Iejima, Ishigaki, Yonaguni. Some of the smallest islands are almost like a different country from mainland japan, they have very little infrastructure, services and limited jobs outside of tourism

As an Okinawan-American, this documentary is really offensive to me. Blaming Okinawans' poverty on our culture is really messed up, when Okinawans have suffered so much due to Japanese and American colonization. It seemed like hardly any research went into the making of this video.

"colonialism" doesn't mean just the US control after WWII. Okinawans used to consider themselves colonized by Japan too, before the US ever got there

We see the host slow motion in a bathing suit, then she's having fun on some kind of water jet, then we have a fun night with right wing ethno-nationalists. And in the second half we we talk to someone recovering from alcoholism for a minute and we end with a single Mother working at a hostess bar. I don't understand how these sheds light on issue specific to the native people of Okinawa-you could have done the same documentary in Chiba or Kyushu or wherever. No comment on the vast amount of displacement the native population, the physical and sexual abuses covered up by both the Japanese and American governments, secret pollution and toxic waste dumping, yakuza resorts, and so on. Feels like minimal effort and thought went into this and there is way too much emphasis put on the host goofing around and having a vacation.

It's an interesting covering since my family emigrated from Okinawa to Brazil during the 1930's, and it's especially interesting to know that it was due to poverty, and while Okinawa constitutes 1% of total population of Japan, it constituted 10% of the japanese immigrants over here.

I live here in Okinawa and my wife is Okinawan. She couldn't watch more than 5mins of this documentary. That professor embellishing the attitude of locals in terms of being lazy is sickening. There are many successful local people who have nice houses. Yes there are poor people like anywhere else, and it gets worse when your around 'base world' in terms of litter and the emulation of what constitutes American culture these days by the youth. However, not every single mother works at a snack bar drinking themselves to death every night. And those right wing guys are seen as kooks by the local people; most won't associate with them. Also get away from Chatan/Okinawa City which is where this documentary is located. Each island has its own personality with their own issues and not everybody lives in the Okinawan 'mainland'.

I have lived in Okinawa for 6 years. I feel like these problems are a mix of the culture and not getting enough support from mainland Japan. A lot of people have mixed feelings about the US presence here, and I’m not commenting on that. But, if not for that I don’t know how this island would have made it through COVID the past few years without the tourism dollars. In places where I live like Okinawa City, I feel even the Okinawa government does not do enough for its citizens. Lots of gambling parlors, resorts, and shopping malls, but not what most of the residents need.

Blame the main island and the government because we always have been seen as a second class and not a true Japanese. This is true throughout history and always have been in the back of the mind of main landers, government and its influence.

The presenter brings a little too much attention to herself, it's like its a travel vlog combined with some interviews. Also as someone else said it doesn't point out the root reasons for Okinawas problems.

Very patronizing story. The island was basically destroyed by outside forces; the US and Mainland Japanese. The locals are considered "2nd class" Japanese by Mainlanders. It's is very similar to US native American tribes, recovery may take hundreds of years or never come at all.

Single motherhood is no piece of cake. I'm from a single parent home where Mom + GOD rest her soul + raised all 4 of us boys by herself. Her coming from an abusive home she naturally had a lot of issues but considering all the enormous work and prayer she put in raising us that great lady was a real hero and I salute her!

not a word about the Japanese annexation and colonization of the Ryukyu Kingdom and subsequent forced assimilation of the Ryukyuan People as Yamato Japanese? these issues presented here (especially alcoholism) are well observed in other indigenous populations that went through similar processes of cultural assimilation/acculturation. You are treating Okinawa Prefecture as a regular Japanese prefecture and completely ignoring its very peculiar history. Also, you guys talk about intergenerational poverty, but say no word about the intergenerational trauma that the Ryukyuan People carry because of that atrocity called "The Battle of Okinawa"? You can go way deeper than that, Vice.

Poor journalism. I'm surprised that this was recorded, edited and approved by a group of people. You just watched the reporter going to beaches, talking to a "specialist" that blames CULTURE for poverty (this was specially disturbing for me), going to a random party and getting drunk, etc. Please, take some of criticism shared in the comments. I appreciate that vice tried to give some attention to Okinawa, but you really should hire someone competent from Okinawa.

I’m American and a former Marine. Okinawa and its people will forever hold a special place in my heart. I pray it gets better for them.

This is an eye opening to those men who disrespect girls. They are mothers and we men have mothers too. Respect and love them. in Japan they don't ask equality as in America but even if they don't say it they need treated with respect and love and all of the women all over the world.

Glad to see I wasn't the only one who found this "documentary" to be garbage. It's largely based on an interview with some professor (who isn't Okinawan) peddling stereotypes about the local culture. His explanation for poverty is that bosses don't pay much because the locals are lazy and discourage hard work. Really? What is the evidence for that? Then we get the host drinking with the equivalent of Japanese neo-Nazis she met randomly, that apparently proves that alcoholism is a problem. The host then shames the hell out of one single mother for her life choices, and apparently that's proof that single motherhood is a problem. WHY are all these things more common in Okinawa? You expect us to believe it's because alcohol prices are low? They're low everywhere in Japan. What are the root causes of poverty? Does the American presence have anything to do with it? Colonialism? The ryukyu culture was a distinct society before being conquered by Japan. But no, it's because of drunks and single moms that Okinawa is poor

When Japan sees poverty as a moral blight then the world's 3rd richest nation can care. I've felt strongly about Japan's poverty before.

My heart goes to all those single mom who had to go such hardships...

Ryukyu Islands (including Okinawa) used to be a rich independent merchant country before they were colonized by Yamato Japan and forced to assimilate- indigenous cultures & languages were outlawed, some were enslaved, many murdered. Many years later, the only land battle between Japan and US was fought on the stolen land of Okinawa, both sides murdered Okinawan people (among other disturbing war crimes). The US seized control of Okinawa before "returning" it to Yamato Japan- most of it. The US retains parts of Okinawa where soldiers are allowed full reign to sexually assault indigenous Ryukyu women, as the bases poison the waters (and water supply) and ecosystems. Yamato Japan started construction on a new base of the US in Okinawa, removing coral reefs and using soil that still contains the remains of Ryukyuans murdered by Japan and US in the Battle of Okinawa. You have someone from Yamato Japan come on to of course move all blame from Yamato Japan and the US by using the same old anti-indigenous rhetoric you hear to justify colonization in the Americas all the same- they're poor because their culture is poor and they're lazy alcoholics. What a goddamn shame this video is. I usually find VICE pretty interesting and would be excited to see my people represented but this video just makes me sick to my stomach, knowing everything my family has endured and how hard they've worked.

I'm from Rio de Janeiro and as I see it, Okinawa is like a tropical Japan with "tropicalism problems": alcohol, young people having children, lack of superior education for women, double shifts at work.

It’s not laziness. Okinawa people are known for being physically active. Toxic productivity or hustle culture versus a self-sustainable life and positive mind, I’ll choose the latter any day. Looks like she was only interested in having some good time herself under the pretext of reporting 😅 Well, good for her. But the misleading nature of the superficial journalism is not helping find the root of the problems or their solutions.

I’ve been to Okinawa (pre COVID-19 pandemic) and tourist business had a booming business. This video reminds me of the native Hawaiian people that have been driven into poverty/ homelessness. The current occupation of Okinawa by the US is disheartening and makes me sad for the many lives effected by this current day occupation.

Ok, my takeaway here is this….over striving for things and trying to keep up with the joneses will kill you eventually. Okinawa has one of the oldest populations and healthiest. Aside from their diet, I attribute this to lack of stress.

We need AsianBoss to cover this story since Vice couldn't do it properly 😬

Wow understands what she needs to do with what she has to provide for her child. A lot of love she has for her child in a sad situation

1:56 Aru Aru, similar to Javanese life of style... especially in Special Region Yogyakarta decades ago. They don't bully hardworking people nor lazy, but as long as family is fed and kids education is guaranteed that's enough. The community is solid, no one left behind is the priority rather than race for the best.

These symptoms (including the okinawan Uyoku) you described stem from the reality of double colonial occupation by the U.S. and japan. The Yamato professor is simply blaming the victims; he is not even reflecting on the fact he is part of the problem as a Yamato colonial missionary. You will have a completely different perspective if you talk to Uchina professors.

Hmm just from reading the comments it looks like these are surface issues that were covered here when what we should be looking at are deeper issues. Vice should have dived into more history and not been afraid to call out USA or Japan for colonialism and such. It's nice to hear what some mainland people from Okinawa feel and it's nice to be told about the issues that the mainland Okinawa people face but at the same time this is definitely a surface problem report and not a root cause report. This is a good video but if our goal is to shed light on a situation and bring change we need to get to the bottom of what the issue is and if the media is too scared to talk about it (continued colonialism etc.) then we can't. At the same time lots of documentaries are like this too so it's not like Vice is particularly bad. I still appreciate this video and it did shed light on an issue I wasn't really aware of. (on another note that mother is so strong and amazing. She's wise and independent and you can tell she's faced a lot of criticism but is so resilient. Totally admire her.)

If anyone wants to know the song starting at 0:40 it's called "Asadoya Yunta" do listen to it ! It's amazing

I mean while I appreciate the content, i also don't like that this only focuses on the mothers, a marriage is between two people. respect to the single mother, she's doing her best 🙏

In order to lend serious credence to this documentary on poverty, let's first start off with some nice bikini shots... - Vice News -

I'm Puerto Rican. I always appreciate when interviewers are not afraid to do an entire interview in a second language when they themselves are the visitors.

Our hometown Okinawa is really great place 😍🙏

Let island people be relaxed, lets be real its just a fact. The mainland is busy and all about getting rich while populations on island nations are just more relaxed and in tune with life and happiness. Jeju, Hawaii, Okinawa, even the islands here in NL. Being disconnected from the mainland disconnects you from the center of business but that's not necessarily bad.

Okinawa has become the Glasgow of Japan.

There's a societal pressure to comform with Mainland Japan's obsession with fair complexion, overworking, corporate culture and entertainment scenes that rob away the work-life balance and quality of life of Okinawans.

At 9:05 I realized this is a serious channel. Any youtuber would've shown the reporter's hangover, in comedic terms. This one went straight to the alcoholism clinic.

So sad for the single moms and their children.

"Japanese can't hold their booze" have you tried a Strong Zero?

When I lived in Japan I lived in the 2nd poorest prefecture, which was Gunma. I understand the difficulties that people have there.

I grew up in Okinawa in the '80s. My family and I used to live in the Hotel Crown.

respect to the mom. you can see in her eyes, she's definitely trying based on the situation presented to her T_T

wow, the reporter is amazing. multi languages.

And yet the most people over a hundred live there, is it because of the relaxed lifestyle? Or just genetics?

In japan :If you work hard you loose friends Meanwhile in my country:If i work hard i make enemies ( because of jealousy ) I am ok with loosing friends who don't want me to work hard

this documentary is a replica of zero content, she basically went to okinawa, got drunk.. blamed alcohol as the main reason for poverty.. i guess she was still high when she uploaded this as a documentary!

I hope one day to travel to a few countries throughout South East Asia. Traveling to foreign lands have always been appealing I took classes in school learning about the differences in the way people live their lives

This is just a really bizarre take on the systemic issues that Okinawa faces...

Precious little girl may she have a good life

This is probably one if not the most poorly done/researched documentary from vice.

Okinawa prefecture was its own Sovereign country before the 1800's. Do not forget this fact

Im seeing Okinawa geograficly have good position. why some japanese corporation who have export orientation not build factory there. So it more easy to reach pasific and south East Asia market??

Every country in the world have at least 1 poor person so its not surprising

Is this a recent trend of alcoholism and broken families from the deteriorating economic conditions? I suspect things were better during the Bubble Era and people are still sufficiently making money from local tourism.

why povery? becasue the occupier is interfering teh economic growth. Guam is teh same way, lowest living standard in the US.

Unusual to the point video on the subject. After watching tens of videos on machiyas, courthouses, Zen gardens, alleyways, ramen and you name. it, this shows another ignored side of reality. Congratulations!

Was this filmed pre Covid? I hope the people there r ok. I can’t imagine how much they would be struggling bc of Covid lockdowns and lack of tourists :(

0:34 Cape Manza! My favorite beach! God I miss it there...

Bless the young single mom and all single moms of the world...

I’ve lived in Okinawa for more than 30 years. I moved here in 94’ When I was 20. Im 50 now. I have worked as a Scubadiving instructor, an English teacher and an electrician. In my opinion the #1 problem facing the average wage here in Okinawa is that the majority of businesses here are owned and run by individuals that are not from Okinawa. Basically they pay the basic or minimum amount to their employees because it is well known that the labor market here will accept these low wages because it is what is available. Im not blaming either the industry or the people for this travesty im just pointing out the truth. It’s sad that in a paradise like Okinawa that capitalism is literally forcing the native people of Okinawa into poverty. Okinawa is the island paradise that everyone on planet earth wants to vacation in of live. The greed of the modern world is slowly changing it into just another facade of paradise. Blaming the people of Okinawa for this… labeling them as alcoholics and lazy is disgusting. Take away a man’s culture, his pride and his ability to provide for his family is despicable. Give that same man cheap alcohol and a wage that can barely support his family and you have just defined the word EVIL.

As always, lots of thoughtless uneducated comments, but also, this "documentary" isn't very thorough, and that's being nice... It's no secret that the level of economic integration is responsible for the level of development and thus salaries. The amount and quality of economic network nodes is what counts. Relatively small remote places will NEVER have the depth and breadth to compete in high value added sectors. I mean goddamn, this is very well researched. Just look at successfull places... They are all at the center of larger networks and highly connected. NYC, Singapore, HK, London, Tokyo etc. come to mind. Meanwhile, every single remote island nation on this planet has severe problems, even proper nation sized territories off the trade supercorridors have major issues, think of most of Russia, Central Asia or most places in South America. And frankly, hang loose attitude, alcoholism, low educational attainment are all EFFECTS of a "bad" economy, not causes. This is also very well researched. Its shocking how clueless the broad population is to these issues. Solutions need to be based on these insights. That's why, just one example, nations like Switzerland or the Nordics admit good foreign students free of charge. Because the connections forged will last a lifetime and further integrate their economies globally. And that is the official reason btw. Go look it up. And that's just the tip of the ice Berg of the long game the real big boys play. There's thousands of policies and initiatives that could be done. Literally thousands. And if you don't, this is what you get.

Poor representation and explanation of our mighty dragon kingdom. It definitely goes way deeper. Please make another video. Thank you. 🙇🏽‍♂️ ちばりよ!!!

This is everywhere where it's popular to visit for the nice weather!

Very interesting. I didn't know any of this. Is it safe to say that somehow, US' occupation messed with this prefecture?

19:11 "If I get sick... and can't work anymore..." There's another level. A level where you can be sick, AND have to work. Being sick doesn't always mean game over (when it comes to work). Hope that doesn't happen to you.

I lived on Okinawa for 2 years when I was in the Air Force. Amazing place and I didnt want to leave. One of the nicest places I've been too and the Okinawans are an amazing welcoming people. I need to go again soon. I need some Habu Saki

Lived in Okinawa for years, place is home to me.

Homeboy at 9:18 looks like a mix between Buddha and Steve-O

9:19, maybe this is unrelated to the topic, but those ears are iconic.

We struggle with poverty and alcoholism because we are an indigenous people being occupied and colonized by Japan and the U.S. We're not lazy, we're resisting capitalism. There is nothing wrong with us. Learn from the gentle cultures of native peoples. Leave us alone and we will flourish.

Demeaning Okinawans by blaming their problems on laziness & alcoholism instead of addressing structural problems caused by Japanese colonialism & US occupation is vile. Poor excuse for "reporting".

What a magnificent view of such story, and how she said 'it is what it is' made me tear. much respect!

It's not hidden, GDP per person in Okinawa has apparently been the lowest among the whole prefectures for long, which every Japanese has known.

I know this is digressing but I don't think the burp at 8:11 was necessary. 😂

Thank you for this! I just moved to Okinawa 2 weeks ago. This documentary was eye-opening and shows a completely different side of the island vs. the beautiful resorts and tourist spots

Who is the reporter here? She's fantastic

Okinawan people are more relaxed and friendly than people in mainland. A lot of points you made here are typical for a lot of places similar to Okinawa. Tropical/subtropical islands that are far from mainland. People drink, so what. They don't earn much, but they spend more time with their family and friends

Why your subtitles and text are so hurry???

Funny about nationalism, seeing that the emperor and his warhounds got them pulverized in wwii

third generation uchinanchu (‘okinawan’) american here - this documentary was disappointing, almost offensive. okinawa has been systemically oppressed by the japanese government for years, and this documentary blames it on ‘okinawan way of life’ and alcoholism? there’s nothing about japanese AND american imperialism? why aren’t we discussing the REAL, deep-rooted issues here? while miss hanako montgomery is getting drunk with far right nationalists, okinawans have to deal with japanese AND american oppression, imperialism, and its consequences. this ‘documentary’ not only perpetuates harmful stereotypes about okinawans, but also sweeps the true issues at hand under the rug.

Now I want a beer.

FREE OKINAWA!!

Wait did that lady say she think it better for the child to see parents hate each other WOW

Don’t judge the single mom. They worked hard for their kids.

lower wages doesn't always means automatically poor. you must considering cost of life locally

15:52 one out of two single mother in japan below poverty which is below 11.000 USD anually Well that is big money and it is still below poverty Wow i surprise

the fact that you called Okinawa "Japan's Paradise Island" invalidates your video. Under internationa law, LooChoo (Ryukyu) is an independent nation that is illegally occupied by Japan and USA

The Jacksonville of Japan.

Okinawa's return to Japan? I though Okinawa has a culture and tribe of its own before Japan owned it. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Girls in Okinawa love gaijins . Lots of mixed children down there. 😂

i dont understand Japanese but i think it is not right on the translation " Drink this before getting hammered".. correct me if im wrong.

This video shows only the result of poverty in Okinawa but not it’s real causes, the main one in my view is Tokyo and mainlanders looking at Okinawa as backwards and lazy and they looking down on it. Japanese always thinking they are superior to other races. The American military presence is partly to blame as well, with some 30% of the land being military bases and as we know areas with military bases are usually underdeveloped and poor. That is Tokyo’s policy. How about showing these realities of the true reasons why Okinawa is poor.

Dear lord the nationalist dudes waving a flag behind the conversation when the reporter clearly looks at least mixed must have been a complicated situation

woah woah woah...watching her drown that beer is scary. Is like she is drinking her sorrow away...very sad.

Okinawans are not Japanese. They used to be a separate kingdom called Ryukyo. Japan invaded and colonized them.

1:56 his responce was weird. Does anyone living in Okinawa tell more about attitude of work? I have a hard time to belive people in Okinawa bully work oriented..

I was in Naha a few years ago overnight, I didn't spend much time in the city as I was just there to go to Zamami Island and also spent some time a bit north closer to nature. However, I couldn't help but notice everything - including the hotel near the bay I stayed at - seemed to be older or at least more worn out. The city actually seemed grittier than the other Japanese cities I have been to. It was...strange. I am from NY and I didn't need to go to "American Villiage" to see the lingering influences ... sad.

Sounds a lot like underserved communities in America except this is what we leave behind around the world after our troops leave.

New title, person from capital cant understand why people from this island are just enjoying life and not dedicating everyday to earning money.