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Native name: Xakeroma (加計呂麻島) | |
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 View of Kakeromajima from Kochiyama on Amami-Oshima | |
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| Geography | |
| Location | East China Sea |
| Coordinates | 28°07′29″N129°14′41″E / 28.12472°N 129.24472°E /28.12472; 129.24472 |
| Archipelago | Amami Islands |
| Area | 77.39 km2 (29.88 sq mi) |
| Coastline | 147.5 km (91.65 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 326 m (1070 ft) |
| Administration | |
Japan | |
| Prefectures | Kagoshima Prefecture |
| District | Ōshima District |
| Town | Setouchi |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 1,600 (2013) |
| Pop. density | 20.67/km2 (53.54/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Ryukyuan,Japanese |
Kakeromajima (Japanese:加計呂麻島; alsoKakeroma-tō;Amami:Xakeroma)[1] is one of theSatsunan Islands, classed with theAmami archipelago betweenKyūshū andOkinawa.[2]
The island, 77.39 km2 (29.88 sq mi) in area, has a population of approximately 1,600 persons. Administratively it is part of the town ofSetouchi inKagoshima Prefecture. Much of the island is within the borders of theAmami Guntō Quasi-National Park.
Kakeromajima is a rugged island southeast ofAmami Ōshima, from which it is separated by the narrowŌshima Strait. The island has an area of 77.30 km2 (29.85 sq mi), but a coastline approximately 147.5 km (91.7 mi). The highest point is 314 metres (1,030 ft) above sea level. The coast of the island is surrounded by acoral reef.
The climate of Kakeromajima is classified as ahumid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classificationCfa) with very warm summers and mild winters. The rainy season lasts from May through September. The island is subject to frequenttyphoons.
It is uncertain when Kakeromajima was first settled. The island came under the control of theSatsuma Domain in 1609 and its incorporation into the official holdings of that domain was recognized by theTokugawa shogunate in 1624. After theMeiji Restoration it was incorporated intoŌsumi Province and later became part of Kagoshima Prefecture. DuringWorld War II, the island was fortified and garrisoned by the Japanese military, and served as an occasional anchorage for ships of theImperial Japanese Navy and in the final stages of the war, as a base forShinyo-class suicide motorboats. Anti-aircraft batteries on Kakeromajima shot down 18Allied aircraft attempting to bomb neighboringAmami-Oshima.
FollowingWorld War II, although with the other Amami Islands, Kakeromajima was occupied by theUnited States until 1953, at which time it reverted to the control of Japan.
Kakeromajima is connected to Amami-Oshima by frequent ferry services. There are 30 small hamlets on the island, but no main settlement.
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