During the battle of okinawa, the Japanese Armys 32nd Division commanded by Lt. Gen. Mitsuru Ushijima had the responsibility to defend okinawa. The headquarters were first located at the foot of Shuri Castle. These headquarters facilities were made possible by students from normal schools and junior high schools and residents of Shuri, who were gathered to tunnel caves under the castle. The work was completed in just a few days. There are about 1,000 meters of tunnels that range from a depth of 15 to 35 meters. The caves were strong enough to withstand the explosions of 1-ton bombs hurled from U.S. battleships in the waters off Naha.

The Shuri site was used from the beginning of April to the end of May, 1945. During that time there was an endless bombardment by U.S. forces which resulted in the total destruction of Shuri Castle. On April 30 Ushijima ordered the closing of the headquarters and retreated southward.

okinawa Prefecture, Naha City and peace groups hope to preserve the ruins of the headquarters as a memorial of the battle of okinawa and to show the cruelty of war to future generations.