In December 1970, a significant protest occurred in Okinawa, fueled by mounting frustration with the American military presence on the island. A series of hit-and-run incidents involving American service personnel sparked outrage among the local population. Approximately 5,000 Okinawans took to the streets to voice their grievances, culminating in a clash with American law enforcement. This protest was not merely about individual incidents; it represented broader discontent regarding the U.S. occupation, which had been a contentious issue since the end of World War II.

The protests were marked by the participants' desire for accountability from American forces and demand for the restoration of sovereignty over their land. Demonstrators carried signs and chanted slogans as they marched, emphasizing their plight as a community suffering from the repercussions of military actions and policies. Law enforcement's response escalated tensions, as confrontations erupted between the protesters and the American military police, illustrating the deepening divide between the local population and foreign troops.

Contextually, Okinawa had been a strategic military outpost for the U.S. after World War II, and many Okinawans felt their island was being treated as a base rather than a community. The Koza riot symbolized a crucial turning point in the relationship between the Okinawan people and the U.S. military, leading to increased activism and demands for change in military practices and the eventual return of Okinawa to Japan.