| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
Ryukyu-retto) are an island group between the islands of Kyushu and Taiwan. The northern half is known as Satsunan Shoto, belonging to Kagoshima prefecture, Japan, while the southern half is known as Ryukyu Shoto, belonging to Okinawa prefecture, Japan. The archipelago is home to the Ryukyuan language family.
The Ryukyu Kingdom was once an independent kingdom, occupying most of the island chain, from Yonaguni island in the southwest, to Amami Oshima in the north. In 1372, it obtained tributary status to the Chinese emperor (and therefore theoretically should come to their aid if necessary). A 1609 expedition from Satsuma on Kyushu captured the Kingdom. After that, the kings of the Ryukyus paid tribute to the Japanese emperor as well as the Chinese emperor.
In 1879, the Meiji government announced the annexation of the Ryukyus . China objected and the ex-President of the United States Ulysses S. Grant was asked to arbitrate. He decided that Japan's claim to the islands was stronger and ruled in Japan's favor.
Today, there are a host of problems arising from the Ryukyus' less-than-Japanese history. Some Ryukyuans (and some Japanese as well) feel that people from the Ryukyus are not "real" Japanese. Also, some natives of the Ryukyus claim that the central government is discriminating against them by allowing so many American soldiers to be stationed in Okinawa, a far higher percentage than are stationed anywhere else in Japan.
Many popular singers and musical groups come from the Ryukyus. These include (among many others) the pop group BeginSee Menachem Begin, the 6th Prime Minister of Israel. Benyamin Zeev Begin, his son and a politician in his own right. See Herut The National Movement for some details. Johanne Begin, a Canadian water polo player. Steve Begin, a Canadian professional hocke, singer Amuro Namie and the group Da PumpDa pump ( is a popular Japanese singing and dancing hiphop group. There are four members and they are all born in Okinawa. Members Issa (born December 9, 1978) Ken (born December 17, 1979) Yukinari (born November 5, 1979) Shinobu (born February 15, 1980). See also Ryukyuan songsTinsagu nu Hana Asadoya Yunta Shima nu Hito Futami Jouwa Ninjoubushi Tanchamee Hana List of Ryukyuan songs: Tinsagu nu Hana Asadoya Yunta Shima nu Hito Futami Jouwa Ninjoubushi Tanchamee Hana..
The article incorporates text from OpenHistory.
Geography of JapanJapan, a country of islands, extends along the eastern or Pacific coast of Asia. The main islands, running from north to south, are Hokkaido, Honshu (or the mainland), Shikoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa, which is about 380 miles (610 km) southwest of Kyushu. *The Ryukyu Islands or Luchu Islands ( Nansei-shoto or Ryukyu-retto are an island group between the islands of Kyushu and Taiwan. The northern half is known as Satsunan Shoto belonging to Kagoshima prefecture, Japan, while the southern half is known as Ryu