The Okinawa Prefectural Library set up an issei immigration genealogical reference service booth during the 6th Sekai Uchinanchu Taikai that took place from Oct. 27-30, 2016. The service searched 1st generation immigration records for information such as name in kanji, birthplace, travel date and even biography or photos if copies including those records were published. Many may not be aware that this service is ongoing for Uchinachu living abroad. (Important: Because of preparations for the new library, this service will not be available from April 2018 to approximately December 2018.) To take advantage of this service, fill out the attached application form and email it to shiryou@library.pref.okinawa.jp or send it to:

Okinawa Prefectural Library
1-2-16 Yorimiya
Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture

Additional library contact information:
Telephone: 098-834-1218 (Japan domestic); 81-98-834-1218 (from overseas)
E-mail: shiryou@library.pref.okinawa.jp (English available)

Click the image for a downloadable, printable PDF form.

Brief summary of service provided:

• The Okinawa Prefectural Library provides research services regarding the 1st generation relative who immigrated abroad.
• The service is provided year round and is free.
• Complete the application form as completely as possible. The top portion is the applicant’s information while the rest of the form is information on the 1st generation relative who immigrated. Mail the form to shiryou@library.pref.okinawa.jp or Okinawa Prefectural Library, 1-2-16 Yorimiya, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture.
• Depending on what was recorded, it is possible to find out the kinds of information listed on the application form (i.e., passport number, date passport approved, date traveled, company that processed the immigration paperwork, residence before immigrating, photos of the relative, etc.)
• The library does not guarantee information on the 1st generation relative. There may be a lack of records, the relative’s name was recorded differently (i.e., spelling or name changed) upon reaching the destination, or insufficient information is provided on the application form in order for the library staff to conduct research.
• This service is to provide records on the 1st generation relative that immigrated. Finding out other relatives related to that person is not within the scope of the service and a completely separate research process that must be done at the respective city/town/village office where the person lived.
• Time for investigation depends on cases. Normally, it takes one to two weeks to research information from copies. There are some cases that take more than two weeks.
• Note that the Okinawa Prefectural Library does not have info on relatives and their offspring (i.e., 2nd generation, 3rd generation, and so forth) once they reached their destination. They are asking for help in providing that information to them so that the Okinawa Prefecture Library has a copy of those records. For example, this could include old yearbooks of the sanshin club that shows a relative in a photo holding a sanshin with a caption about the members’ names, club name, date, location, etc.

To Apply:

1. Download the application form. The file includes English, Spanish and Portuguese versions. [The Spanish and Portuguese versions were not available on 31 May 2018.]

The application form of 1st Generation Immigration Genealogical Reference Service:
— PDF file
— Excel file [this link was broken when attempted on 31 May 2018]

2. Fill in the application as completely as possible. The more information you provide, the more possibility there is that we can find information about him/her. You can note whether you are sure or unsure about the information you provide. It is necessary to fill out the name and destination of the 1st generation immigrant as well as your information.

3. For registration: email shiryou@library.pref.okinawa.jp