Consisting of Saichu-to Island, it is one
of the smallest and most problematic prefectures in Japan. The security
situation of this island, near the Korean coast and claimed by this country, is
far from good. The turistic industry, that used to be the principal income
source, has fallen sharply since 1996.
GENERAL
INFORMATION
Area:
1,826 sq km
Coastline:
158 kilometers
Maritime
claims: exclusive economic zone of 200
NM
Climate:
template maritime climate with medium temperatures all year round; clear
division between the seasons.
Terrain:
mountainous island of volcanic origin, mainly occupied by the Harayama
Mountains, separated by the Saichu Strait from the mainland (Korea).
Highest
point: Harayama 594 meters above sea level
Natural
resources: small scale agriculture
Administrative
division: two district, Saichu and Hosan
Population:
514.605 (July 2002 est.)
Ethnic
groups: a Japanese majority, a small Taiwanese community.
Religions:
Shintoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, other.
Capital: Saichu
History:
After the annexation of Korea in 1910,
Saichu-to island (known as Cheju-do by the Koreans) was
administered by the Korean colonial government. After the IJA was expulsed of Korea by the Soviet
Army, the Colonial Administration government retired to Saichu-to. Since 1940,
the Yi-yul-dan, a terrorist group sponsored by the Korean government, and
helped by the Korean population in Japan, was responsible for several bomb
attacks and assassinations in the entire Japanese territory, in an effort to
expel the Japanese of the Saichu, Matsushima (Ullung-do) and
Takeshima (Tok-do) islands, all claimed by Korea.
The terrorist’s campaign culminated in
1949, when one of its attacks was aimed at the Emperor Himself: Emperor
Hirohito was severally injured and should abdicate three months after the
attack. The rage provoked by the attack forced the Japanese government to
decree the expulsion of the entire Korean population, including the population
of Saichu.
When the deportation of the Koreans in the
island was complete and the Korea’s Colonial Government was dissolved, the IJN
took over the administration of the island. The island was turned into a naval
base, from where the Korean coats could be vigilated. Immediately, civilians
contracted by the IJN immigrated to the island, and farmers from Kyushu and
Taiwan followed them. The island was administered by the IJN until 1979, when
the island adopted a civilian government for the first time since the
Soviet-Japanese War.
Economy overview:
Economic activity consists primarily of
maintenance of the IJN facilities, subsistence farming and fishing. The islands
have few mineral deposits worth exploiting. The potential for a tourist
industry exists, but the border dispute with Korea and a lack of adequate
facilities hinder development. In 1996, the island experienced a 20% reduction
in revenues from tourism after the naval battles between the IJN and the Korean
Navy. Since these revenues accounted for 57% of prefectural government
revenues, the almost constant sea border clashes resulted in a severe
depression. Economic activity recovered in 1999-2001. The prefecture's
medium-term economic outlook appears fragile due to likely further reductions
in external grants made by the central government. Geographical isolation and a
poorly developed infrastructure remain major impediments to long-term growth.
Present concerns include unemployment, over fishing, and over dependence on
central government aid.
