Britannica AI Icon
Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

Okinawa

Japan
Also known as: Koza

News •

Japan urges US to tighten discipline after another US marine arrested in Okinawa • Nov. 1, 2026, 11:07 PM ET (Straits Times)
US Marine indicted over alleged murder of woman in Okinawa • Oct. 26, 2026, 12:23 AM ET (CNN)

Okinawa, city, Okinawa ken (prefecture), Japan. It is situated in the central part of Okinawa Island and was designated as a new city in 1974. Originally occupying a region of agriculture and forestry, the city, after World War II, became the location for the U.S. Kadena military base, which continued to exist after the American occupation of Japan was ended. Okinawa city has the Southeast Botanical Gardens displaying tropical plants, an aquarium, an amusement park, a zoo, and the Moromi Folkcraft Museum. Pop. (2005) 126,400; (2010) 130,249.

Discover the fascinating events that shaped the world, straight from our editors.
By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.