Okinawa Toyota Commercial — ‘Gosamaru‘ driving. To view: click here.

The blog “A Man With Tea” recently posted “Okinawa Toyota Ads.”  Apparently, Toyota Motor Corporation has come out with four TV commercials featuring Okinawan historical figures like: Shô Hashi, Amawari, Gosamaru, and Momoto Fumiagari.

What this means for Okinawan identity in the twenty first century is not yet clear.  Is it empowering for Okinawan identity or is it a distortion?  Is it exploitative or is it affirmative?  What do you think?