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Transport > Airport
Asia > Japan > Okinawa Region > Okinawa Prefecture > Yaeyama > Yonaguni
Introduction
Yonaguni (与那国島, Yonaguni-jima, Yonaguni: どぅなん Dunan, Okinawan: ユナグニ, Yunaguni) is one of the Yaeyama Islands. It is the westernmost inhabited island of Japan and lies 108 kilometers (67 mi) from the east coast of Taiwan, between the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean proper.
History
In the 12th century, it was incorporated to the Ryūkyū Kingdom. In the 17th century, it was incorporated into the Japanese han of Satsuma. By 1879, the island was formally incorporated into Japan.
Until the early 20th century, Yonaguni was part of the larger Yaeyama village, which included the neighboring Yaeyama Islands. In 1948, it became an independent village. From 1945 to 1972, it was occupied by the United States and was then returned to Japan to form a part of Okinawa Prefecture.
On May 4, 1998, a part of the island was destroyed by a submarine earthquake.
As a result of increased tensions between Japan and China/Taiwan over the disputed sovereignty of the Japanese-controlled uninhabited Senkaku/Diaoyu/Tiaoyutai Islands which are located roughly 80 nautical miles north-northeast of the Yonaguni Islands, Japan intends to station 100 troops on Yonaguni to counter a perceived threat from Chinese forces.
Geography
The island has an area of 28.88 km (11.15 sq mi), a population around 1700, an annual mean air temperature of 23.9 °C, and annual precipitation of 3000 mm. All islands are under jurisdiction of the town of Yonaguni, Yaeyama Gun, Okinawa and there are three towns: Sonai, Kubura and Higawa. It was incorporated under the control of the Ryūkyū royal court in 1610.
Yonaguni, more specifically Cape Irizaki 24°26′58″N 122°56′01″E / 24.44944°N 122.93361°E / 24.44944; 122.93361 (Yonaguni (West)) at the western tip of the island, is the westernmost point of Japan. Taiwan is said to be visible from Irizaki on a clear day.
Climate
Tateyama has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) bordering on a tropical rainforest climate (Köppen climate classification Af) with very warm summers and mild winters. Precipitation is abundant throughout the year; September is the wettest month while July is the driest.
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