Chōbyō Yara

This article is about the Okinawan politician. For the Japanese comedian, see Passion Yara.

Chōbyō Yara
屋良 朝苗
1st Governor of Okinawa Prefecture
In office 15 May 1972 – 14 June 1976
Preceded by	James Benjamin Lampert (as the High Commissioner of the U.S. Administration of the Ryukyu Islands) himself (as the Chief Executive of the Ryukyu Islands)
Succeeded by	Koichi Taira
Chief Executive of the Ryukyu Islands
In office 15 November 1968 – 14 May 1972
Preceded by	Seiho Matsuoka
Succeeded by	himself (as the Governor of Okinawa Prefecture)
Personal details
Born	December 13, 1902 Yomitan, Okinawa, Empire of Japan
Died	February 14, 1997(1997-02-14) (aged 94) Naha, Okinawa, Japan
Political party	Independent
Alma mater	Hiroshima University

Chobyo Yara (屋良 朝苗, Yara Chōbyō, December 13, 1902 – February 14, 1997) was a Japanese politician. He served as the Chief Executive of the Government of the Ryukyu Islands (1968–1972) and Governor of Okinawa Prefecture (1972–1976). He graduated from Hiroshima Higher Normal School (now Hiroshima University).

Biography

Yara was a schoolteacher 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, 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."