Southernmost island group of Japan, stretching towards Taiwan and including Okinawa, Miyako, and Ishigaki; area 2,254 sq km/870 sq mi; population (2000 est) 1,318,000. Most of the larger islands are composed of volcanic rock, while the smaller islands are formed from coral. The capital is Naha (on Okinawa). Produce includes sugar, pineapples, and fish.
Black represents the occupation of foreigners, red represents the blood of freedom fighters, and green denotes Islam. In the middle of the flag is a mehrab, an arch in a mosque where the congregation stands, and a mender, a pulpit in a mosque. The mehrab and mender are both in white, and are enclosed by wheat. Effective date: 5 February 2002.