is an island in the Pacific Ocean and is part of the Kerama Islands group in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.

The island is commonly known as Aka or Akashima and is located some 15 miles to the southwest of Okinawa Island. It has a subtropical climate and a population of approximately 330 people.

Coral reefs and wildlife

The water surrounding Akajima is supplied from the Kuroshio current. Healthy coral reefs, with a rich diversity of sea life, make the area a treasure trove for marine scientists, divers and snorkelers.

In 1988 Akajima Marine Science Laboratory (AMSL) was established under the auspices of the Japanese Science and Technology Agency. A number of scientists visit AMSL every year to research the coral reef ecosystems.

Around 360 fish species and 1,640 invertebrate species (including hermatypic corals) and 220 seaweed species have been recorded in the Kerama Islands, but many groups of organisms have not yet been surveyed. Green turtles, loggerheads, and hawksbill turtle lay eggs on the beaches in summer. Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are regular visitors in January to April and use the Kerama Islands as their breeding ground.

Akajima is also noted for its terrestrial wildlife, especially its birds, butterflies and Golden silk orb-weaver spiders. Kerama deer (a subspecies of the Japanese deer) are unique to the Kerama islands group and are able to swim between the islands. These deer have been designated a national protected species of Japan.

Climate

Summers have extreme oceanographic conditions and about about five typhoons approach Akajima every year, especially in early summer. The northern monsoon brings strong north winds and large swells from October to April.

Transport

Akajima port has a regular ferry service that links the island with neighbouring Zamami and the capital of Okinawa (Naha). The Island is also served a small airstrip on Gerumajima, the two islands being linked by a small road bridge.

History

Historically, the Kerama Island group was a part of the Ryukyu Kingdom. For some 600 years, the islanders were employed as navigators for the Kingdom’s trading vessels between Okinawa and China. The islands also provided good moorings on the sea route. A house of the Takara family, one of the captains of these vessels, is preserved as an important cultural property of Japan.

Aka was one of the first landing places for US Forces in the Battle of Okinawa. US Forces landed on March 26, 1945 and went on to take Zamamijimi, Gerumajimi and Tokashikijimi. Over 500 residents committed suicide by order of the Japanese troops in order to avoid capture.

Akajima is also famous for the story of two dogs: Shiro on Akajima and Marilyn on Zamamijima. They met when Shiro travelled on his owners boat to Zamami but the passion was such that he started swimming over every day to rendezvous with Marilyn on Zamami's Ama beach.

The locals frequently sighted Shiro paddling across the (3km) strait. His feat was so amazing that it gained national recognition and inspired the film: Marilyn ni Aitai (I want to see Marilyn). Marilyn died in 1987, bringing an end to Shiro's seafaring days, and he himself died at the advanced age of 17. There is a statue of Shiro on Nishihama beach (his point of departure) and a similar monument to Marilyn also exists on Zamamijima.

Notes

1. Marine Science Laboratory (AMSL) information leaflet
2. Marine Science Laboratory Website (AMSL)
3. In The News Article

Further reference

• Hayashibara T (1995) Ecological studies on reef-building corals and their sexual reproduction around Akajima Island, Kerama Islands group. PhD thesis, Tokyo University Fisheries, 123 pp. (in Japanese)
• Iwao K (2000) Study on the effect of geographical features on the cause of coral bleaching. In: Research and Development Bureau, Science and Technology Agency (ed.): Report on the Urgent Research on the Mechanism Elucidation of Coral Bleaching, pp.15-39 (in Japanese)
• Iwao K (2003) Surveys of marine fauna around Kerama Islands by visiting scientists and staff members of AMSL. Midoriishi, 14: 38-41 (in Japanese)
• Iwao K (2004) Kerama Islands. In: Tsuchiya M et al. (eds.): Coral Reefs of Japan. Ministry of the Environment and Japanese Coral Reef Society, Tokyo, pp.185-189
• Kizaki K (1992) Geological history of the Kerama Islands. Midoriishi, 3: 1-2 (in Japanese) Nadaoka K, Nihei Y, Wakaki K, Kumano R, Kakuma S, Moromizato S, Omija T, Iwao K, Shimoike K, Taniguchi H, Nakano Y, Ikema T (2001) Regional variations of water temperature around Okinawan coasts and its relationship to offshore thermal environments and coral bleaching. Coral Reefs, 20: 373-384
• Ohba H (1995) A list of seaweeds of Akajima Island and its vicinity in Kerama Islands, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Midoriishi, 6: 23-28 (in Japanese)
• Omori M and Fujiwara S (eds.) (2003) Manual for the Restoration and Remediation of Coral Reefs. Bureau of Natural Environment, Ministry of the Environment, Tokyo, 84pp.
• Veron JEN (1992) Conservation of biodiversity: a critical time for the hermatypic corals of Japan, Coral Reefs, 11: 13-21
• Zamami Village History Compilation Committee (1989) History of Zamami Village. Vol. 1, Zamami Village Office, Okinawa, 710pp. (in Japanese)