Tsushima Island

Tsushima Island is a Japanese island in the Tsushima Strait between Kyushu and the Korean Peninsula.

Tsushima Island is a Japanese island located in the Tsushima Strait between Kyushu and the Korean Peninsula. It is administered as part of Nagasaki Prefecture, and the name can refer to the wider Tsushima archipelago. The island has historically been a key crossing point between Japan and the Korean Peninsula.

Geography

Tsushima is located in the strait between Japan and Korea and is made up of rugged islands with a mountainous interior. Modern references describe the group as measuring roughly 70 by 15 kilometres, though older sources and different definitions may use broader archipelago measurements.

Administration

Tsushima is part of Nagasaki Prefecture and is administered through Tsushima City. The island is one of Japan's westernmost inhabited areas and functions as a local municipality within the prefectural system.

History

Tsushima has long been significant as a maritime contact zone between Japan and the Korean Peninsula. Historical references note its earlier status as Tsushima Province and later incorporation into Nagasaki Prefecture during the Meiji period.

Cultural and strategic significance

Because of its location, Tsushima has often been described as a gateway island between Japan and mainland Asia. It has appeared in military history, trade, and cross-cultural exchange, including the 1905 Battle of Tsushima in the surrounding waters.