RyukyuIslands

Ryu·kyu Islands (rē-o͞oʹkyo͞o', ryo͞oʹkyo͞o)

An island group of southwest Japan extending about 1,046 km (650 mi) between Kyushu and Taiwan. The archipelago was incorporated into Japan in 1879 and returned to Japanese sovereignty in 1972 after occupation by U.S. forces following World War II.

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