| History
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On March 18, 1927, Okinawa Prefecture and Kagoshima Prefecture
were separated from the Nagasaki Diocese and became the Prefecture
Apostolic of Kagoshima. In accord with the San Francisco Peace
Treaty at the end of the Second World War, Okinawa Prefecture
and the Southern Islands of Kagoshima Prefecture came under
American military occupation. For this reason, Okinawa and
the Southern Islands were separated from the Prefecture Apostolic
of Kagoshima and came directly under the Holy See. They were
entrusted to the American Capuchin Friars (New York Province)
and became the Administration Apostolic of the Ryukyus. On
January 21, 1949, Father Felix Ley, O.F.M. Cap. was appointed
Administrator Apostolic.
On May 8, 1955, Amami-Oshima and others of the Southern Islands
were returned to Japan and became part of the Diocese of Kagoshima.
On June 9, 1968, Monsignor Ley was consecrated bishop and
became a member of the bishops' conference until his sudden
death on January 23, 1972.
In May 1972, Japan resumed sovereignty over Okinawa and on
December 18 that year the Administration Apostolic of the
Ryukyus was raised to the status of a diocese, becoming the
Diocese of Naha. On February 11, 1973, Father Ishigami Tadamaro,
O.F.M.Cap. was consecrated and became the first Bishop of
Naha.
On March 20, 1997, Pope John Paul II accepted the resignation
of Bishop Ishigami, and appointed Father Oshikawa Toshio,
O.F.M.Conv. to succeed him. He was consecrated Bishop of Naha
on May 25, 1997.
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