Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - ryukyu islands

 geographical name islands W Pacific extending between Kyushu, Japan, & Taiwan; belonged to Japan 1895-1945; occupied by United States 1945; returned to Japan in 1953 (N islands) and 1972 (S islands) area about 850 square miles (2202 square kilometers), population 1,222,458 — see Amami, Okinawa, Osumi Islands, Sakishima Islands, Tokara Islands  • Ryukyuan adjective or noun