Fact-checking for a post-WW2 Japan story?

[ohmanon]

Hey folks,

I'm (very roughly) outlining a new story set in 1950's Japan, about a Japanese prostitute who meets a US physicist and US Air Force technician in Okinawa.

While I know a tiny bit about Okinawa, I know practically zip about the details of US-Japan relations and military activity specifically tied to the two A-bomb sites, and Okinawa *after* Japan's surrender.

I'm hoping to reach Lit readers/editors/authors here who may have first-hand or equally informed knowledge about what went on during that time in Japan. I've done a few hours of digging around in Wikipedia but just wasn't finding the specifics I needed, so I'm hoping some of you out there would lend me a few minutes to answer some quick questions!

Thanks a lot!

M

 

[incubus666]

My first time in Japan was 1857. I liked Japan a lot and most of the Japanese people. They are unfailingly polite and have alway treated me nicely.

Just for some general information. The final peace treaty with Japan was not signed until 1951 but the peace accord gave the U.S. posession of Okinawa and several other islands. So at the time of your story Okinawa was a U.S. possession.

Okinawa was finally returned to Japanese control in 1972.

I can't speak to the prices on Okinawa at the time but in Japan in 1957 I could get a white navy uniform washed, starched, and pressed for 90 yen or 25c . A taxi cost the same. A beer ran from 40c to 70c depending on the size. I had a friend who was in the USAF and was stationed on Okinawa and I remember him telling me of getting custom made shoes for $10 and suites for about $25.

As I remember they used MPC or Military Payment Certificates also known as script. All dmominations were in dollars. They even has nickle, dime and quarter script.

Prostitution was legan in Japan until '58 or'59. Most of the girls worked in clubs. Bars down stairs and the rooms up. I am sure prostitution was illegal on Okinawa. I know from my friend it took place. No idea of the prices on OKI. but in Japan a short time was about 500Y, 1 hour was about 1000Y and an overnight was maybe 2000-2500Y. The rate of exchange was $1=360Y. You get to do the math.

Also in Japan we mostly had Cinderella liberty. Had to be back on the ship at midnight. That was for junior enlisted. The more senior enlisted could get special permission to stay over night. I think all officers could also. This was controlled by the individual commands and ships. I again have no idea how it worked on Okinawa.

I hope this gives you some workable information and some ideas of the time. If you want any additional old memories feel free to ask.

Mike S.

 

[Shadownight_Keeper]

We returned control of Oki in 1972? I thought we returned control in about 2000? Or am I thinking of ownership? I can't recall all the details as I was stationed on mainland Japan but there was something about wanting to remove all US forces once we returned Oki to Japan.

 

[Boxlicker101]

I was stationed at Tachikawa Air Base in 1959 and 1960. Prostitution was illegal, but the law was ignored. The town was off limits between midnight and sometime in the AM but I don't remember what.

Incubus was right on the prices, except an overnight stay was usually 1,500 Yen. Mostly this would be with a bar girl. You would go in, she would serve your drink, and you could buy her a drink too. She might or might not want to stay with you overnight. That was where I developed the desire to eat pussy.

In strip clubs, the girls took off everything, but they kept thei pussies covered with their hands or something.