About past festivals
Catchphrase Sub-catchphrase
「The world Uchinanchu community came together！！」 「Dancing the Kachyashi together, we are one」
Event date
1990 (Heisei 2) August 23rd (Thursday) -26th (Sunday)
Participant Numbers
Overseas: Approximately 2,400 people
Attendees: 470,000
Event Location
Okinawa Convention Center, Ginowan City Gymnasium, etc.
Event themes
Construction of "Uchinanchu Network of the World" Uchinanchu, who are active around the world, are a valuable human resource of Okinawa. In each field such as economy, culture, and academia, we will establish a network to connect these assets with this prefecture and work together for it.
Event results
Inauguration of Uchina People's Ambassador System
Theme Song
Rinken Band "Chimuchurasa Amiagainu Hananogutu"（Heart is as pure as a flower after the rain）
Catchphrase Sub-catchphrase
「Words reach across the oceans」 Now is the time for we Uchinanchu to work together for a deeper understanding
Event date
1995 (Heisei 7) November 16th (Thursday) to 19th (Sunday)
Participant Numbers
Overseas: about 3,400 people
Attendees: 520,000
Event Location
Okinawa Convention Center, Ginowan City Gymnasium, etc.
Event themes
We will connect the Uchinanchu people who live in various parts of the world in a worldwide network with this prefecture, promote human and trade exchanges in each field such as economy and performing arts, and keeping make further strong progress, on all sides. While contributing to the development and revitalization of society and the economy, we aim to "form an international exchange base in the south" of Japan.
Event results
Establishment of WUB (World Uchinanchu Business Association)
Theme Song
Diamantes "Katateni Sanshin wo" (Hold the Sanshin in one hand)
Catchphrase Sub-catchphrase
「Our hearts united in a beautiful dream for the future」
Event date
2001 (Heisei 13)
November 1st (Thursday) to 4th (Sunday)
* Since the Okinawa Summit was held in 2000, the event year was moved back.
Participant Numbers
Overseas: about 4,000 people
Attendees: 270,000
Event Location
Okinawa Convention Center, Ginowan City Gymnasium, etc.
Event themes
Expanding and developing a human network centered around Uchinanchu, who are active all over the world, building a "bridge to the world", promoting sustainable exchanges in all fields such as the economy, and contributing to mutual development and revitalization. As we enter the new century, we aim to make this prefecture take a leap forward as a base for international exchange.
Event results
Launch of the Junior Study Tour
Theme Song
Diamantes "Katateni Sanshin wo" (Hold the Sanshin in one hand)
Catchphrase Sub-catchphrase
「Spread Chimugukuru,
connect in Chimuturasa」
Event date
2006 (Heisei 18) October 12th (Thursday) to 15th (Sunday)
Participant Numbers
Overseas: about 4,400 people
Attendees: 320,000
Event Location
Okinawa Convention Center, Ginowan City Gymnasium, etc.
Event themes
Based on the achievements of the earlier generations of migrants, we aim to further deepen and expand the accomplishments of the Uchina network that spreads around the world by creating a competition to foster the next generation who will be responsible for the Uchina network.
Event results
Launch of the Host Family Bank (Kaiho Yoshu Network Construction Project)
Theme Song
REQUIOS with PROJECT Chimugukuru “Niraiheno Kaze" (The Wind to Nirai)
Catchphrase Sub-catchphrase
「Beautiful islands, the echo of our soul, forever more」
Event date
2011 (Heisei 23) October 13th (Thursday) to 16th (Sunday)
Participant Numbers
Overseas: about 5,300 people
Attendees: 420,000
Event Location
Okinawa Cellular Stadium Naha, Okinawa Convention Center, etc.
Event themes
Aiming to continuously develop the Uchina network and develop a new network for the world, we will contribute to the realization of the "island of exchange and symbiosis open to the world" as stated in the "Okinawa 21st Century Vision".
Event results
Public participation in the ceremony of the inauguration of WYUA (World Youth Uchinanchu Secretariat)
Theme Song
Natchy "BEYOND PARADISE"
Catchphrase Sub-catchphrase
「Dynamic and moving Uchina, Resonates with the world」
Event date
2016 (Heisei 28) October 27th (Thursday) to 30th (Sunday)
Participant Numbers
Overseas: about 7,400 people
Attendees: 430,000
Event Location
Okinawa Cellular Stadium Naha, Naha area Onoyama Sports Park, etc.
Event themes
While taking on and developing the Uchina network, we will disseminate Okinawa's unique "soft power" both domestically and internationally, and open up the future of Okinawa by utilizing its charm and potential.
Event results
World Uchinanchu Day enacted The 5th World Youth Uchinanchu Festival held
Theme Song
Mai Hanashiro "Yui-Kokoro Todoku" (Yui-Linking Your Heart)