1970: Okinawa and Tokyo
Seiichi Furuya studied photography at Tokyo Polytechnic University from April 1970. It was shortly after the incident of the Yodo-go hijack. Japan Airlines 351 was abducted on the flight from Tokyo to Fukuoka by nine members of the "Red Army". The incident ended after three days in the form of a successful escape of the kidnappers to North Korea. At that time, Japan in 1969 - 1970, especially Tokyo, was in a so-called turbulent movement. For example, demonstration against the Vietnam War and the ratification of the security agreement between Japan and the USA as well as the conflict in universities. Furuya, who belonged to a club referred to as college press photography, participated in several demonstrations somewhere in Tokyo as a "photographer" and photographed the incident.
On August 15, 1945, the Pacific War ended. Since then, Okinawa has been under American military rule. The basic problem, which continues till today, began from this time. It was 27 years after the war that Okinawa was returned to Japan in 1972. Until then, Okinawa was a "foreign country" for Furuya.
Furuya visited Okinawa from 10 to 23 Aug. 1970. Departure by Cargo carrier on 8. Aug from Tokyo Bay. Arival in Naha on 10. Aug. Furuya traveled through the main island "Okinawa Honto" from south to north. From February 1968, the B-52 U.S. bomber headed for the bombing of Vietnam directly from Kadena base. Only from September 1970 after violent counter-demonstration of the inhabitants, the stationing of the B-52 was temporarily stopped. In order to travel to Okinawa, an identification card issued by the Japanese government's Prime Minister's office was required.
In 1973, shortly before leaving for Europe, Furuya burned all the films he had photographed and kept in the garden in Izu. It was the act of inner determination of "Goodbye Japan". In 1992, a folder with some b / w negative films was discovered at home in Izu by Furuya.
