From its dialect to its cuisine, many may think that Okinawa Prefecture is one of the most distinctive places in Japan. But for elfin Okinawan actress Tomi Taira, the core of human satisfaction is universal -- the desire to be part of a happy family. This desire exists everywhere, be it in her home islands or any other part of Japan, even the world, she said.
Tomi Taira, renowned actress from OkinawaWhile the word Okinawa may bring to mind images of the U.S. military facilities there and of the fierce ground battle toward the end of World War II, the 71-year-old Taira stressed that such "dark" images belie the vibrance of the islands and its people.