Prefecture flag

Main City: Naha

Population: 1,434,000 people, ranking 25/47 prefectures (2015) [1]

Area: 2,271 km² [2]

Geographical / Landscape description

Okinawa is the southernmost prefecture of Japan. It comprises hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over 1,000km long. [2]

Climate

The island experiences temperatures above 20 °C for most of the year with a subtropical marine climate. [2]

Recent history, culture

Following the end of World War II, Okinawa was put under the administration of the USA and it became home to many USA army bases. Only in 1972 was the island returned to Japanese administration but a strong presence of American forces remained and they are still present today.

Due to its distance from the main territory of Japan, Okinawan culture developed in a unique style and bears influence from Chinese, Thai and Austronesian cultures. In traditional architecture many roofs display images of a lion or dragon, called a shisa, which is said to protect the home from danger and has Chinese origins. [2]

More chapters:

• Economic overview
• Infrastructure
• Living environment
• Major types of economic activities
• Opportunities for EU Investors / Exporters / Importers
• Setting up a business in the prefecture
• Other contacts