Okinawa Prefecture facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Okinawa Prefecture 沖縄県
Prefecture
Japanese transcription(s)
• Japanese	沖縄県
• Rōmaji	Okinawa-ken
Okinawa Peace Quasi-National Park Shuri Castle Cape Manzamo Okinawa rail (Yanbaru Kuina) Eisa Folks dance Okinawa Soba noodle Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium A bullock cart in Taketomi Island
Flag Symbol
Anthem: 沖縄県民の歌 (Okinawa kenmin no uta)
Country	Japan
Region	Kyushu
Island	Okinawa, Daitō, Miyako, Yaeyama, and Senkaku
Capital	Naha
Subdivisions	Districts: 5, Municipalities: 41
Area
• Total	2,281 km2 (881 sq mi)
Area rank	44th
Population
• Total	1,466,870
• Rank	29th
• Density	643.08/km2 (1,665.6/sq mi)
GDP
• Total	JP¥ 4,633 billion US$ 42.5 billion (2019)
ISO 3166 code	JP-47
Symbols Bird Okinawa woodpecker (Sapheopipo noguchii) Fish Banana fish (Pterocaesio diagramma, "takasago", "gurukun") Flower Deego (Erythrina variegata) Tree Pinus luchuensis ("ryūkyūmatsu")

Okinawa Prefecture (Japanese: 沖縄県, Hepburn: Okinawa-ken) is Japan's southernmost and westernmost prefecture. It has a population of about 1.4 million people. Its total area is 2,281 square kilometers.

Naha is the capital and largest city in Okinawa. Other important cities include Okinawa, Uruma, and Urasoe. Okinawa Prefecture includes two-thirds of the Ryukyu Islands. These islands stretch about 1,000 kilometers southwest from Kagoshima Prefecture towards Taiwan. The biggest island, Okinawa Island, is where most of Okinawa's people live. The native people of Okinawa are called the Ryukyuan people. They also live in the Amami Islands.

Okinawa was once its own kingdom, called the Ryukyu Kingdom, starting in 1429. Japan officially took control in 1879. After World War II, the United States occupied Okinawa. It was governed by the U.S. military until 1972, when it was returned to Japan. Okinawa is a small part of Japan's land, but it hosts a large number of United States Forces Japan personnel. This military presence is a topic of discussion among local people.

History of Okinawa

Okinawa Prefecture covers the southern part of the island chain between Kyushu and Taiwan.

The first signs of humans on the Ryukyu Islands date back to the Stone Age. These were found in Naha and Yaeyama. Japanese influences from the Jōmon period are strong on the Okinawa Islands. However, clay pots on the Sakishima Islands are similar to those found in Taiwan.

The name Ryukyu first appeared in a Chinese book called the Book of Sui. The Japanese word Okinawa was first used in 779. Farming communities slowly grew from the 8th to the 12th century. Because the islands are located near Japan, China, and Southeast Asia, the Ryukyu Kingdom became a successful trading nation. During this time, many castles called Gusukus were built. In the 15th century, the Ryukyu Kingdom began trading with China's Ming dynasty.

In 1609, the Shimazu clan from what is now Kagoshima Prefecture invaded the Ryukyu Kingdom. The Ryukyu Kingdom had to agree to be under the control of the Shimazu clan and the Tokugawa shogunate. But it also kept its trading ties with China. This was important because Japan had strict rules about foreign trade. The Ryukyu Kingdom kept a lot of its freedom for over 200 years.

After the 1868 Meiji Restoration, the Japanese government officially took over the kingdom. It was renamed Ryukyu han. In 1879, Ryukyu han became Okinawa Prefecture of Japan. In 1912, Okinawans were first allowed to vote for representatives in Japan's parliament, the National Diet (国会).

Okinawa After World War II (1945–1972)

On April 1, 1945, the U.S. Army and Marine Corps invaded Okinawa. About one-third of Okinawa's civilians died during the fighting. All those who died are remembered at the Cornerstone of Peace.

After World War II, the United States governed Okinawa for 27 years. During this time, the U.S. built many military bases on the Ryukyu islands. Some Okinawans wanted independence from U.S. rule.

During the Korean War, U.S. planes flew bombing missions from Kadena Air Base on Okinawa. The military presence grew during the Cold War. This created some tension between local people and the American military. Under a 1952 agreement, United States Forces Japan (USFJ) kept a large military presence.

In the mid-1950s, the U.S. took land from Okinawans to build or expand bases. By 1955, about 250,000 residents had to move from their homes.

Return to Japan and Modern Issues (1972–Present)

On May 15, 1972, the U.S. government returned the islands to Japanese control. Even though Okinawa is less than 1% of Japan's land, it still hosts about 75% of all U.S. military bases in Japan. These bases take up about 18% of the main island.

A 2007 poll showed that 85% of Okinawans were against the U.S. military presence. They were concerned about noise from drills, aircraft accidents, and environmental issues. However, 73% of Japanese citizens liked the security agreement with the U.S. A 2010 poll found that 43% of Okinawans wanted the U.S. bases to close completely. Another 42% wanted them reduced. Some Okinawans feel that the government in Tokyo does not understand their needs.

In 2009, a new Japanese government paused the plan to move U.S. forces. But in 2010, they suggested a new plan. A study in 2010 found that constant aircraft noise around Kadena Air Base caused health problems for people. These included disrupted sleep and high blood pressure.

In 2018, Denny Tamaki was elected governor of Okinawa. His campaign focused on reducing the U.S. military presence on the island.

Relocation of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma

In 2006, about 8,000 U.S. Marines moved from Okinawa to Guam. Japan helped pay for building the new base there. The U.S. still has Air Force, Marine, Navy, and Army bases on the islands. These include Kadena Air Base and Camp Foster.

Suburbs have grown around two major bases, Futenma and Kadena. A large part of the land used by the U.S. military is Camp Gonsalves in the north. In 2016, 10,000 acres of Camp Gonsalves were given back to Japan. In 2018, Okinawa residents protested against new construction for a U.S. military base.

Since the early 2000s, Okinawans have opposed new helicopter pads in the Yanbaru forest. This opposition grew in 2016 after six new helipads were built.

Geography of Okinawa

The islands of Okinawa Prefecture

Okinawa Prefecture is made up of the southern two-thirds of the Ryūkyū Islands. Okinawa's inhabited islands are grouped into three main areas. From northeast to southwest, they are:

• Okinawa Islands (including Okinawa Island and Kerama Islands)
• Miyako Islands (including Miyako-jima)
• Yaeyama Islands (including Iriomote Island and Ishigaki Island)

Other important islands include the Senkaku Islands and Daitō Islands.

Natural Parks

About 36% of Okinawa's land is protected as natural parks. These include Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, Kerama Shotō National Park, and Yambaru National Park. There are also several Quasi-National Parks and Prefectural Natural Parks.

Ecology and Wildlife

Okinawa is home to unique animals. The dugong, a marine mammal similar to a manatee, is endangered here. Iriomote Island has the Iriomote cat, one of the rarest cats in the world. The islands also have a special type of pit viper snake called Trimeresurus elegans.

The waters around Okinawa have many beautiful coral reefs. The world's largest group of rare blue coral is found near Ishigaki Island. Sea turtles come to the southern islands each year to lay their eggs. During summer, swimmers are warned about venomous jellyfish and other dangerous sea creatures.

Okinawa grows a lot of sugar cane, pineapple, and papaya. The Southeast Botanical Gardens show off many tropical plants.

Geology and Caves

Okinawa Island is mostly made of coral. Rainwater filtering through the coral has created many caves. These caves were important during the Battle of Okinawa. Gyokusendo is a large limestone cave in the southern part of Okinawa's main island.

Climate

Okinawa has warm weather for most of the year, with temperatures usually above 20°C. The climate ranges from humid subtropical climate in the north (like Okinawa Island) to tropical rainforest climate in the south (like Iriomote Island). Snowfall is very rare at sea level. However, sleet was reported in Nago for the first time ever in January 2016.

Cities and Towns

Map of Okinawa Prefecture
     City      Town      Village

Okinawa Prefecture has eleven cities:

Name					Area (km2)	Population	Map
Rōmaji	Kanji	Okinawan		other languages [script] (name in brackets)
		Kana	Rōmaji
Ginowan	宜野湾市	じのーん	Jinōn		19.51	94,405
Ishigaki	石垣市	いしがち	ʔIshigaci	Isïgaksï, Ishanagzï (Yaeyama)	229	47,562
Itoman	糸満市	いちゅまん	ʔIcuman		46.63	59,605
Miyakojima	宮古島市	なーく、みゃーく	Nāku, Myāku	Myaaku (Miyakoan)	204.54	54,908
Nago	名護市	なぐ	Nagu	Naguu [ナグー] (Kunigami)	210.37	61,659
Naha (capital)	那覇市	な	Nafa		39.98	317,405
Nanjō	南城市	ーぐく	Fēgusiku		49.69	41,305
Okinawa	沖縄市	うちなー	ʔUcinā		49	138,431
Tomigusuku	豊見城市	みぐく	Timigusiku		19.6	61,613
Urasoe	浦添市	うらー	ʔUrasī		19.09	113,992
Uruma	うるま市	うるま	ʔUruma		86	118,330

Towns and Villages

Here are the towns and villages in each district:

Name					Area (km2)	Population	District	Type	Map
Rōmaji	Kanji	Okinawan		other languages [script] (name in brackets)
		Kana	Rōmaji
Aguni	粟国村	あぐに	ʔAguni		7.63	772	Shimajiri District	Village
Chatan	北谷町	ちゃたん	Catan		13.62	28,578	Nakagami District	Town
Ginoza	宜野座村	じぬざ	Jinuza		31.28	5,544	Kunigami District	Village
Haebaru	南風原町	ーばる	Fēbaru		10.72	37,874	Shimajiri District	Town
Higashi	東村	がし	Figashi	Agaarijimaa [アガーリジマー] (Kunigami)	81.79	1,683	Kunigami District	Village
Ie	伊江村	いい	ʔIi	Ii [イー] (Kunigami)	22.75	4,192	Kunigami District	Village
Iheya	伊平屋村	いひゃ、後地	ʔIhya, Kushijī		21.72	1,214	Shimajiri District	Village
Izena	伊是名村	いじな、前地	ʔIjina, Mējī		15.42	1,518	Shimajiri District	Village
Kadena	嘉手納町	かなー	Kadinā		15.04	13,671	Nakagami District	Town
Kin	金武町	ちん	Cin	Chin [チン] (Kunigami)	37.57	11,259	Kunigami District	Town
Kitadaitō	北大東村	うふあがりじま	ʔUhuʔagarijima		13.1	615	Shimajiri District	Village
Kitanakagusuku	北中城村	にしなかーぐく	Nishinakāgusiku		11.53	16,040	Nakagami District	Village
Kumejima	久米島町	くみじま	Kumijima		63.5	7,647	Shimajiri District	Town
Kunigami	国頭村	くんじゃん	Kunjan	Kunzan (Kunigami)	194.8	4,908	Kunigami District	Village
Minamidaitō	南大東村	ーうふあがりじま	Hwēʔuhuʔagarijima		30.57	1,418	Shimajiri District	Village
Motobu	本部町	むぶ	Mutubu	Mutubu (Kunigami)	54.3	13,441	Kunigami District	Town
Nakagusuku	中城村	なかーぐく	Nakāgusiku		15.46	20,030	Nakagami District	Village
Nakijin	今帰仁村	なちじん	Nacijin	Nachizin (Kunigami)	39.87	9,529	Kunigami District	Village
Nishihara	西原町	にしばる	Nishibaru		15.84	34,463	Nakagami District	Town
Ōgimi	大宜味村	じみ	Ujimi	Uujimii (Kunigami)	63.12	3,024	Kunigami District	Village
Onna	恩納村	うんな	ʔUnna	Unna (Kunigami)	50.77	10,443	Kunigami District	Village
Tarama	多良間村	たらま	Tarama	Tarama (Miyakoan)	21.91	1,194	Miyako District	Village
Taketomi	竹富町	だきん	Dakidun	Teedun (Yaeyama)	334.02	4,050	Yaeyama District	Town
Tokashiki	渡嘉敷村	かしち	Tukashici		19.18	697	Shimajiri District	Village
Tonaki	渡名喜村	なち	Tunaci		3.74	406	Shimajiri District	Village
Yaese	八重瀬町	え゙ー	Ēsi		26.9	29,488	Shimajiri District	Town
Yomitan	読谷村	んたん	Yuntan		35.17	40,517	Nakagami District	Village
Yonabaru	与那原町	なばる	Yunabaru		5.18	18,410	Shimajiri District	Town
Yonaguni	与那国町	なぐに	Yunaguni	Dunan, Juni (Yonaguni) Yunoon (Yaeyama)	28.95	2,048	Yaeyama District	Town
Zamami	座間味村	ざまみ	Zamami		16.74	924	Shimajiri District	Village

People of Okinawa

Okinawa prefecture population pyramid in 2020

Ethnic Groups

The native Ryukyuan people make up most of Okinawa's population. They are also the main ethnic group in the Amami Islands. Many Okinawans have moved to places like South America and Hawaii. With U.S. military bases, there are more children of mixed American and Okinawan heritage. The current governor, Denny Tamaki, is one example.

There are also many Yamato people from mainland Japan living in Okinawa. It's hard to know exact numbers because the Japanese government doesn't officially see Ryukyuans as a separate ethnic group.

A survey found that 40.6% of Okinawans identify as "Okinawan." About 21.3% identify as "Japanese." And 36.5% identify as both.

Population Growth

Okinawa Prefecture has seen its population grow steadily since 1960.

Language and Culture

A Shisa lion-dog statue, often seen on Okinawan roofs.

Traditional Awamori pots.

Okinawan language and culture are different from mainland Japan. This is because Okinawa was a separate nation until 1879.

Language

There are six Ryukyuan languages still spoken. These languages are related to Japanese but are not easily understood by Japanese speakers. One of these languages is spoken in Kagoshima Prefecture. These languages are becoming less common as younger Okinawans use Standard Japanese.

Mainland Japanese people often think of Ryukyuan languages as "dialects." In formal situations, Standard Japanese is almost always used. In daily life, Okinawans under 60 often speak a Japanese with an Okinawan accent. The traditional Okinawan language is still used in cultural activities like folk music and folk dance. There is even a radio news program in the language.

Religion

Okinawans traditionally follow Ryukyuan religious beliefs. These beliefs often involve ancestor worship. They also respect the connections between living people, the dead, and the spirits of nature.

Culture

Okinawan culture shows influences from its past trading partners. You can see Chinese, Thai, and Austronesian influences in its customs.

Perhaps Okinawa's most famous cultural export is karate. It likely came from the close ties with China. Karate is thought to be a mix of Chinese kung fu and traditional Okinawan martial arts.

A traditional Okinawan product is awamori. This is an Okinawan spirit made from rice imported from Thailand.

Another important part of Okinawan culture is the sanshin. This is a three-stringed Okinawan instrument, similar to a banjo. Its body is often covered with snakeskin. The eisa dance is a traditional drumming dance. A traditional fabric called bingata is also made here.

The Okinawan diet is known for being low in fat and salt. It includes many fruits, vegetables, beans, tofu, and seaweed. Okinawans are especially known for eating purple sweet potatoes. In the past, Okinawans were famous for living longer than people in other parts of the world. This area was called a Blue Zone. Their diet, low-stress lifestyle, and strong community might have helped. However, in recent years, Okinawans' life expectancy has decreased. Some people blame this on influences from mainland Japan and other countries.

Okinawans also form moais. A moai is a community group that offers financial and emotional support. These groups help people feel secure and connected.

Several Okinawan writers have won the Akutagawa Prize. These include Eiki Matayoshi, Shun Medoruma, Tatsuhiro Oshiro, and Mineo Higashi.

Karate

Karate training at Shuri Castle around 1938.

Karate started in Okinawa. Over time, it developed into many different styles. In Okinawa, the three main styles are Shōrin-ryū, Gōjū-ryū, and Uechi-ryū. Karate is now popular worldwide and was even included in the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Architecture

The Nakamura House, an 18th-century farmhouse.

Shuri Castle in Naha.

Even though many buildings were destroyed during World War II, there are still remains of unique castles called gusuku. The most important ones are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Shuri Castle in Naha is one of these UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Most homes in Japan are made of wood to help with humidity. But modern Okinawan homes are often made of concrete. They have barred windows to protect against flying debris and strong typhoons. Roofs are built to withstand strong winds, with each tile cemented in place. Many roofs also have a lion-dog statue called a shisa. These are believed to protect the home from danger. Okinawan roofs are often red and show Chinese design influences.

Education in Okinawa

The public schools in Okinawa are managed by the Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education. They run several public high schools, including Okinawa Shogaku High School. The U.S. Department of Defense Dependents Schools operates 13 schools in Okinawa, with seven on Kadena Air Base.

Okinawa has many private schools. Some are cram schools, also known as juku. Others, like Nova, teach only languages. There are 10 colleges and universities in Okinawa. These include the University of the Ryukyus, which is the only national university in the prefecture. The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology is a new international research institute. U.S. military bases in Okinawa also host the Asian Division of the University of Maryland University College.

Sports in Okinawa

Martial Arts

Martial arts like tegumi and Okinawan kobudō began with the native people of Okinawa Island. Because of its location, Okinawa's martial arts were influenced by cultures from Japan, China, and Southeast Asia.

Karate

Karate started in the Ryukyu Kingdom, with Chinese influences. After Okinawa was occupied, Karate spread to the United States and then worldwide. It is now very popular.

Team Sports

• Association Football: FC Ryukyu is a professional football team from Okinawa. They play in Japan's national league system.
• Basketball:
  

  Okinawa Arena, home of the Ryukyu Golden Kings basketball team.

The Ryukyu Golden Kings are a professional basketball team. They play in the B.League, Japan's top professional basketball league. They have won the national title five times, most recently in 2023. The Okinawa Arena has hosted games for the Japan men's national basketball team. It was also one of the venues for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

• Handball: Ryukyu Corazon is a handball team based in Naha.
• Baseball: The Ryukyu Blue Oceans are expected to be Okinawa's first professional baseball team. Many Japanese baseball teams train in Okinawa during the winter. This is because Okinawa is the warmest prefecture in Japan and has no snow. Teams like SoftBank Hawks and Yokohama BayStars train here.

Golf

Okinawa has many golf courses. There used to be a professional golf tournament called the Okinawa Open.

Transportation

Air Transportation

Okinawa has several airports, connecting its islands and linking to mainland Japan. Some of these include:

• Aguni Airport
• New Ishigaki Airport
• Kumejima Airport
• Miyako Airport
• Naha Airport
• Yonaguni Airport

Highways

Major highways in Okinawa include:

• Okinawa Expressway
• National Route 58
• National Route 329
• National Route 330
• National Route 331

Rail

• Okinawa Urban Monorail is a train system in Naha.

Ports

The main ports in Okinawa are:

• Naha Port
• Port of Unten
• Port of Kinwan
• Nakagusukuwan Port
• Hirara Port
• Port of Ishigaki

Economy

The 34 U.S. military bases in Okinawa receive financial support from both the U.S. and Japan. These bases provide jobs for Okinawans. In 2011, the U.S. military employed over 9,800 Japanese workers in Okinawa. As of 2012, the bases contributed up to 5% of the local economy. The Japanese government also pays the Okinawa government about ¥10 billion each year. This money is partly to make up for the American military presence. It also includes rent paid to Okinawans whose land is used for the bases.

In 2015, after Governor Takeshi Onaga was elected, the national government announced that Okinawa's funding would be cut. This was because the governor wanted the U.S. military bases removed from Okinawa, which the national government did not support.

The Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau is looking into using military base facilities for large events.

United States Military Installations

• United States Marine Corps
  • Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler
    • Camp Foster
    • Marine Corps Air Station Futenma
    • Camp Kinser
    • Camp Courtney
    • Camp McTureous
    • Camp Hansen
    • Camp Schwab
    • Camp Gonsalves (Jungle Warfare Training Center)
• United States Air Force
  • Kadena Air Base
  • Okuma Beach Resort
• United States Navy
  • Camp Lester (Camp Kuwae)
  • Camp Shields
  • Naval Facility White Beach
• United States Army
  • Torii Station
  • Fort Buckner
  • Naha Military Port

Notable People from Okinawa

Images for kids

• 

  Tourists on traditional buffalo carts arrive at Yubu Island in Taketomi Town.

• 

  Nago, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.

• 

  Map of US Military Bases in Okinawa in 1969.

• 

  U.S. military facilities in Okinawa.

• 

  Ishigaki city center.

• 

  Naha city.

See also

In Spanish: Prefectura de Okinawa para niños

• Okinawa Islands
• Names of Okinawa
• Provinces of Japan
• Prefectures of Japan
• List of regions of Japan
• List of islands of Japan