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The Town of Kadena, whose shorelines face the East China Sea, is located
in the central region of Okinawa's main island, 23kilometers north of Naha,
with a population of 14,000. Kadena is the birthplace of Noguni Sokan,
a great benefactor, who in 1605, when the Ryukyuan dynasty trade relations
had established with southeast Asian regions, mainly with China, were on
the decline, brought the sweet potato from the Chinese Fujian province,
and saved the citizens from starvation until post World War II period.
The introduction of the sweet potato to Japan originated in Kadena.
Located on the strategic point of transportation of the main island of
Okinawa, the town of Kadena, prior to World War 2, developed as a center
of culture and education in the Nakagami County. Kadena became Okinawa's
first US military landing position in the past war and was reduced to rubbles.
In the post-war period, U.S.
Forces have occupied 83 percent of the town. Due to the airplane engine
noise that emanates from the military base day and night and various problems
from the military presence, the living conditions in Kadena were far from
satisfactory. However despite the hardships our predecessors had to face,
they throve and rebuilt Kadena, fulfilling the townspeople's needs, to
what it is today.
Various community developments are underway for the 21st century to create "Kadena Town of Human Interchange and a Bright Future."
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