is a

Japanese Japanese may refer to: * Something from or related to Japan, an island country in East Asia * Japanese language, spoken mainly in Japan * Japanese people, the ethnic group that identifies with Japan through ancestry or culture ** Japanese diaspor ...

derogatory A pejorative word, phrase, slur, or derogatory term is a word or grammatical form expressing a negative or disrespectful connotation, a low opinion, or a lack of respect toward someone or something. It is also used to express criticism, hostility ...

term for young Okinawan women who date male members of the

United States Forces Japan is a subordinate Unified combatant command, unified command of the United States Indo-Pacific Command. It was activated at Fuchū Air Base (Tokyo), Fuchū Air Station in Tokyo, Japan, on 1 July 1957 to replace the Far East Command (United State ...

stationed in

Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan. It consists of three main island groups—the Okinawa Islands, the Sakishima Islands, and the Daitō Islands—spread across a maritime zone approximately 1,000 kilometers east to west an ...

. The other component of the term (女 ''jo'') means "female" or "girl". There are scholars who note that ''amejo'' means someone who has an affinity for America and that the derogatory connotation was a result of a misunderstanding of the

Okinawan language Okinawan (, , , ), or more precisely Central Okinawan, is a Northern Ryukyuan languages, Ryukyuan language spoken primarily in the southern half of the Okinawa Island, island of Okinawa, as well as in the surrounding islands of Kerama Islands, K ...

. In her book ''Asian Mystique'', author Sheridan Prasso explained the ''amejo'' in terms of the fetishizing that goes on between non-Asian males and Asian females: Although ''Amejo'' is predominantly used for Okinawan women in relationships with white men, those who date primarily

black Black is a color that results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without chroma, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness.Eva Heller, ''P ...

American men are also included under the term, but are usually referred to as or "black(loving) girl" instead. Prasso explains the ''kokujo'': For Americans stationed in Okinawa, the term ''amejo'' came to mean American groupie or a "night owl". An account described how the term ''amejo'' was embraced by some who were given the pejorative, reappropriating the label as a source of pride, resistance, and social distinction as well as a demonstration of courage to be different.

References

{{reflist Race in Japan Japanese sex terms Dating Intercultural and interracial relationships

See also

References