Yonaguni

Yonaguni
Native name:
与那国島
Dunan
Map of Yonaguni Island
Yonaguni
Location
Yonaguni
Location in Japan
Geography
LocationPacific Ocean
East China Sea
Coordinates24°27′20″N 122°59′20″E / 24.45556°N 122.98889°E / 24.45556; 122.98889
ArchipelagoYaeyama Islands
Area28.88 km2 (11.15 sq mi)
Highest elevation471 ft (143.6 m)
Highest pointMount Urabu
Administration
RegionKyushu
PrefectureOkinawa Prefecture
TownYonaguni, Okinawa
Demographics
Population1,684 (2009)
Pop. density58.2/km2 (150.7/sq mi)
Ethnic groupsRyukyuan, Japanese

Yonaguni (Japanese: 与那国島, Hepburn: Yonaguni-jima; Yonaguni: Dunan-chima, older Juni-shima; Yaeyama: Yunoon-zïma; Okinawan: Yunaguni-jima), one of the Yaeyama Islands, is the westernmost island of Japan, lying between the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea. A mere 107.4 kilometers (58.0 nmi; 66.7 mi) separate the island from Taiwan at their closest points. It is administered as the town of Yonaguni, Yaeyama Gun, Okinawa, and there are three settlements: Sonai, Kubura, and Higawa. There have been discussions to establish direct ferry services with Taiwan in order to bolster tourism.