Hateruma Island

The southernmost island in the Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa Prefecture (and the southernmost inhabited island in Japan). It is located 24 km south of Iriomote Island. It belongs to Taketomi Town and has an area of ​​12.77 square kilometers. Its highest point is 59.5 meters, and it is a low plateau island covered entirely by Ryukyu limestone. There are five settlements in the center of the island, and most of the cultivated land is used for sugarcane, including a molasses sugar factory. On Takana Beach in the southwest, there is a monument marking the southernmost point of Japan and a stargazing tower. There is a boat service from Ishigaki Island to get there. It is included in Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park. Population: 542 (2009).

[Shigekazu Mezaki]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

沖縄県八重山列島(やえやまれっとう)最南端の島（有人島では日本最南端）。西表(いりおもて)島南方海上24キロメートルに位置する。竹富町(たけとみちょう)に属し、面積12.77平方キロメートル。最高点59.5メートルで、全島が琉球(りゅうきゅう)石灰岩に覆われた台地状の低島。島中央部に5集落が立地し、耕地のほとんどはサトウキビが占め、含蜜(がんみつ)製糖工場がある。南西の高那海岸に日本最南端の碑、星空観測タワーがある。石垣島から船便がある。西表石垣国立公園に含まれる。人口542（2009）。

［目崎茂和］

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