was a Japanese politician. He served as the Chief Executive of the
Government of the Ryukyu Islands
The was the self-government of native Okinawans during the American occupation of Okinawa Prefecture, Okinawa. It was created by proclamation of the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands (USCAR) on April 1, 1952, and was ab ...
(1968–1972) and
Governor of Okinawa Prefecture (1972–1976). He graduated from Hiroshima Higher Normal School (now
Hiroshima University).
Biography
Yara was a
schoolteacher
A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or virtue, via the practice of teaching.
''Informally'' the role of teacher may be taken on by anyone (e.g. w ...
by profession and was serving as president for the Okinawa Teachers' Association at the time of his election to the executive leadership of the American-occupied Ryukyuan government.
Following his victory in the
1968 Ryukyuan legislative election, in which he campaigned for "immediate, unconditional
reversion" of Okinawa, he met Prime Minister
Eisaku Satō in December 1968 to discuss the immediate reversion of Okinawa to Japan, which Yara supported.
In addition, he welcomed not only reversion, but also urged further for a "thinning out of
U.S. bases." Yara was critical of these bases in great part due to the economic and environmental stress they put on Okinawans. Nonetheless, Yara had relatively moderate inclinations and cooperated with the Japanese government's requests to use his influence in order to convince radical Okinawan activists to call off a proposed
general strike
A general strike is a strike action in which participants cease all economic activity, such as working, to strengthen the bargaining position of a trade union or achieve a common social or political goal. They are organised by large coalitions ...
, in return for mainland governmental concessions.
As the Chief Executive, Yara butted heads with
MITI after stating in 1970 that "In the introduction of foreign capital, we will give priority to the prefectural interests of Okinawa and will not be submissive to the homeland government."
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Yara, Chobyo
1902 births
1997 deaths
People from Okinawa Prefecture
Governors of Okinawa Prefecture
Japanese educators
Hiroshima University alumni
Japanese politicians of Ryukyuan descent