I am writing this article in the Hyakuna area of Okinawa. Recently, whenever I visit Okinawa, I try to stay at a superb hideout hotel called the Hyakuna Garan, which is located at the southern tip of Okinawa's main island facing the Pacific Ocean. When you have more money to spend than you usually do, I strongly recommend you stay there.
The hotel is built at the top of a cliff overlooking beautiful shoals. The area is very quiet because it is far away from any facilities and areas used by the U.S. forces on Okinawa. The hotel is one of my favorite places simply because you'll never be bothered by the noise or troubles caused by the U.S. marines and air force on the island.
When I was in Taiwan last week, upon the request of a budding Japanese journalist I contributed a short commentary on the Okinawa gubernatorial election to a website that he runs. My comments might have embarrassed the young liberal writer, because I compared Okinawa with Taiwan from a different perspective.