Okinawa islands

island group, Japan

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June 11, 2026

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The Okinawa islands are a group of islands that form part of Japan's Ryukyu Islands archipelago. This chain extends southwest from Kyushu toward Taiwan, separating the East China Sea from the Philippine Sea. The Okinawa islands are the central group within the Ryukyus, with Okinawa Island being the largest.12

These islands are subtropical, experiencing significant rainfall and typhoons. Historically, they were an independent kingdom before being incorporated into Japan. After World War II, the United States administered them until their return to Japan in 1972. The economy relies on agriculture, fishing, and tourism, with significant U.S. military installations remaining on Okinawa Island.12

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Ryukyu Islands
… in the north, the central Okinawa islands, and the Sakishima islands in the south. Administratively, the Ryukyus are part of Japan, the Amami group constituting a southern extension of Kyushu’s Kagoshima prefecture (ken) and the Okinawa and Sakishima islands making up Okinawa prefecture.
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… in the north, the central Okinawa islands, and the Sakishima islands in the south. Administratively, the Ryukyus are part of Japan, the Amami group constituting a southern extension of Kyushu’s Kagoshima prefecture (ken) and the Okinawa and Sakishima islands making up Okinawa prefecture.
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