"Mainland Japan" (内地, naichi, lit. "inner lands") is a term used to distinguish Japan's core land area from its outlying territories. It is most commonly used to distinguish the country's four largest islands (Hokkaidō, Honshū, Kyūshū and Shikoku) from smaller islands such as the Ryukyu Islands and Ogasawara Islands, although depending on the context the term "Mainland Japan" might refer only to Honshū, the largest island.
The term's literal Japanese meaning might best be translated as "inner Japan" or "inner lands". The term "mainland" is somewhat inaccurate since it usually refers to all or part of a continental landmass, rather than islands.
"Mainland Japan" was an official term in the pre-war period, distinguishing Japan proper from its colonies in the Far East (which at that time included parts of mainland Asia). After the end of World War II its usage became less common and lost its previous legal significance.
Historical usage
In the Japanese Empire of the pre-war period, naichi referred to the mainland of the empire. The other territories of the empire was called gaichi (外地, lit. "outer lands").
The Meiji Constitution's Article 1 of the Common Law (共通法) enumerates the territories with legal jurisdictions namely:
Naichi
Naichi (内地, lit. "inner lands") referred to the territories under direct control of the government. They consisted of the following:[1]
These territories were called gaichi (外地, lit. "outer lands"). They were part of the Empire of Japan, but not under direct control by the central government.[2]
Although it has never been abolished, the Common Law lost effect from enforcement after Japan lost all the former colonies, or gaichi as a result of World War II.[citation needed]
Modern usage
The residents of Hokkaidō and Okinawa occasionally use naichi to refer to the "mainland", excluding these areas. The colloquial usage is officially "incorrect", as both areas are legally within naichi. In Hokkaidō, the official term that refers to Japan except Hokkaidō is dōgai (lit. outside of Hokkaidō).[citation needed] With dōgai becoming common even in colloquial use, naichi ceased to be used.[citation needed]
The term "main islands" (本島 hontō) is used for Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku and Okinawa. The other estimated 6,847 smaller islands are called 'remote islands' (離島 ritō).[4]
^"内地とは" [Definition of 'naichi']. コトバンク (in Japanese). 日本国語大辞典 精選版. Retrieved January 10, 2023. 一国の領土が数個に分かれている場合、憲法の定める通常の法律が行なわれる区域。旧憲法下の北海道、本州、四国、九州がこれにあたる。(The area established by the Constitution where common law applies, in cases where the territory of one country is divided into several portions. Under the old Japanese Constitution, this definition applied to the territories of Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu).
^Japanese page about Mainland Japan (内地, Inland) and page about Gaichi 外地
^Nakano Bunko 中野文庫. "Kyōtsūhō 共通法" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 23, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
