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How long did the United States occupy Okinawa after World War II?

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U.S. Marines on Okinawa — Battle of Okinawa U.S. Marines battling for control of a ridge near Naha, Okinawa, May 1945.

Following the conclusion of the Battle of Okinawa and the end of World War II, the United States occupied Okinawa for nearly 27 years. The island was officially returned to Japanese administration on May 15, 1972. Even after this handover, the United States maintained significant military bases on the island.12