The Kerama Islands (慶良間諸島, Kerama-shotō, Okinawan: キラマKirama) are a subtropical island group 32 kilometres (20 mi) southwest of Okinawa Island in Japan.
The archipelago consists of the following islands (-jima/-shima) – inhabited ones are highlighted in blue – and rocks (other suffixes, unnamed entries) with an area of at least 0.01 km².[5][6]
The archipelago has several extensive coral reefs. Two of them were designated as Ramsar sites in November 2005: a 120-hectare area along the west coast of Tokashiki-jima and around Hanari-jima, and a 233-hectare area around Ijakaja-jima, Gahi-jima and Agenashiku-jima , i.e., between Aka Island and Zamami Island. These reefs are home to 248 different coral species, most notably of the Acropora genus.[9] On March 5, 2014, the waters and the islands were placed under protection as Kerama Shotō National Park.
Coral reef, Aka island
Coral reef, Aka island
Clownfish, Aka island
Fauna
The islands of Aka, Fukaji, Geruma and Yakabi provide the sole natural habitat of the endangered Kerama deer (Cervus nippon keramae), thought to be an introduced population of the Japanese sika deer in the early 17th century that has since adapted to their island environment.[10]
History
The Kerama islands were historically part of the Ryukyu Kingdom (1429–1879), when islanders were employed as navigators on the kingdom’s trading vessels to China.[11]
During World War II and preliminary to the Battle of Okinawa, soldiers of the 77th Infantry Division landed in the Kerama Islands on March 26, 1945. Further landings followed, and the Kerama group was secured over the next five days. Kerama was used as a staging area for the assault on Okinawa. During the battle the first civilian mass suicides that later marked the Battle of Okinawa took place.[citation needed] The first US Navy ship to anchor in the harbor was USS Makin Island, a small "jeep" carrier.[citation needed]
Thereafter, the archipelago, like the rest of the Ryukyu Islands, was under US military administration before being returned to Japan in 1972.
The Kerama islands was the site of a true story about romance between two dogs who lived on neighboring islands that was made into the 1988 Japanese film I Want to See Marilyn (Marilyn ni Aitai).[12] It is now a popular beach and diving destination for visitors to Okinawa.
The Kerama Islands are served by the Kerama Airport, located on Fukaji Island.[13] Regular ferries are also available from Naha to the three largest islands, Aka, Zamami, and Tokashiki. Ferries between the islands are also available, as are boat tours.
^"指定離島・指定離島一覧"(PDF). pref.okinawa.jp 離島関係資料(平成28年1月) (in Japanese). 沖縄県企画部地域・離島課 [Land and Islands Section, Planning Department, Okinawa Prefecture]. 2016-01-01. Retrieved 2016-08-03.
^vermutete Zuordnung: In der Quelle als シマ(砂白島北) ‚Insel (nördlich von Sunashiru-jima)‘ aufgeführt. Auf den amtlichen Karten ist an diesen Koordinaten eine unbenannte Insel mit der angegebenen Fläche.
^vermutete Zuordnung: In der Quelle als シマ(モカラク島北) ‚Insel (nördlich von Mokaraku-jima)‘ aufgeführt. Auf den amtlichen Karten ist an diesen Koordinaten eine unbenannte Insel mit der angegebenen Fläche.
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