Okinawa Prefecture

Okinawa Prefecture (Japanese: 沖縄県, Hepburn: Okinawa-ken, Japanese pronunciation: [o.kʲi.na.wa(ꜜ.keɴ)], Okinawan: 沖縄県, romanized: Uchināchin) is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan. It consists of three main island groups—the Okinawa Islands, the Sakishima Islands, and the Daitō Islands—spread across a maritime zone approximately 1,000 kilometers east to west and 400 kilometers north to south. Despite a modest land area of 2,281 km² (880 sq mi), Okinawa’s territorial extent over surrounding seas makes its total area nearly half the combined size of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Of its 160 islands, 49 are inhabited. The largest and most populous island is Okinawa Island, which hosts the capital city, Naha, as well as major urban centers such as Okinawa, Uruma, and Urasoe. The prefecture has a subtropical climate, characterized by warm temperatures and high rainfall throughout the year. People from the Nansei Islands, including Okinawa, the Sakishima Islands, and parts of Kagoshima Prefecture, are often collectively referred to as Ryukyuans. However, in reality, there are significant cultural and customary differences between individual islands and even between local communities.

Historically the center of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Okinawa has long served as a key hub for trade due to its geographic location, receiving a wide range of domestic and international influences. It has played an important role as a gateway through which continental culture entered Japan, and many cultural elements have spread to mainland Japan via Okinawa. Over time, Okinawa developed its own distinctive traditions, cuisine, and performing arts. Today, Okinawan music, characterized by the iconic sanshin instrument, and festivals such as Eisa have gained popularity across the country.

Although Okinawa accounts for only a small portion of Japan’s total land area, it plays a significant role in national defense due to the presence of U.S. military bases—a topic of ongoing debate at both regional and national levels. At the same time, Okinawa continues to promote cultural preservation and economic development, contributing to the diversity and vitality of Japan as a whole.