The Americans maintained a large military presence in Okinawa because its strategic location and intense fighting[2] made it known as the "Keystone of the Pacific"[3] during World War II.
Many diplomats met with each other and wanted to solve the issues between the two countries, but complications and conflicting interests made reversion problematic.
Negotiations began between United States Ambassador to Japan U. Alexis Johnson and Japanese Foreign Minister Kiichi Aichi in 1968.
[7] The discussions moved slowly at first because Japan's primary concern was for a confirmed date of reversion, before agreeing upon the specifics of the agreement, which came to be known as the "clean-slate" policy.
The United States considered Okinawa part of Japan and intended to revert sovereignty by 1972 but only if its concerns were completely dealt with by then.
[7] At the US-Japan Kyoto Conference, Japan argued that keeping nuclear weapons in Okinawa would be redundant and that there were more suitable areas for military presence.
On April 1, 1969, Kishi told President Nixon that "many Japanese feel that if Japan is to play a greater role in Asia, it is quite unacceptable for part of their country to remain occupied by a foreign power."
[7] The United States had informed Japan that reversion was possible if in the event of an emergency, nuclear weapons were allowed in Okinawa.
[7] China criticized the reversion of sovereignty because of its claims on the area, based on ancient Chinese maritime logs, Voyage with a Tail Wind.
Despite the desire of many inhabitants of the islands for independence, the Japanese government decided to negotiate the reversion of the prefecture back to its control.
In Tokyo, a group of radical students discontent with American military presence in Okinawa rioted using Molotov cocktails and steel pipes, killing a police officer.