"Mainland Japan" (内地, naichi, lit. "inner lands") is a term used to distinguish Japan's core land area from its outlying territories. It is most commonly used to distinguish the country's four largest islands (Hokkaidō, Honshū, Kyūshū and Shikoku) from smaller islands such as the Ryukyu Islands and Ogasawara Islands, although depending on the context the term "Mainland Japan" might refer only to Honshū, the largest island.
Mainland Japan
Native name:
内地
Passports for passengers between Mainland Japan and Okinawa during 1952–1972.
The term's literal Japanese meaning might best be translated as "inner Japan" or "inner lands". The term "mainland" is somewhat inaccurate since it usually refers to all or part of a continental landmass, rather than islands.
"Mainland Japan" was an official term in the pre-war period, distinguishing Japan proper from its colonies in the Far East (which at that time included parts of mainland Asia). After the end of World War II its usage became less common and lost its previous legal significance.
In the Japanese Empire of the pre-war period, naichi referred to the mainland of the empire. The other territories of the empire was called gaichi (外地, lit. "outer lands").
The Meiji Constitution's Article 1 of the Common Law (共通法) enumerates the territories with legal jurisdictions namely:
NaichiEdit
Naichi (内地, lit. "inner lands") referred to the territories under direct control of the government. They consisted of the following:[1]
These territories were called gaichi (外地, lit. "outer lands"). They were part of the Empire of Japan, but not under direct control by the central government.[2]
Although it has never been abolished, the Common Law lost effect from enforcement after Japan lost all the former colonies, or gaichi as a result of World War II.[citation needed]
Modern usageEdit
The residents of Hokkaidō and Okinawa occasionally use naichi to refer to the "mainland", excluding these areas. The colloquial usage is officially "incorrect", as both areas are legally within naichi. In Hokkaidō, the official term that refers to Japan except Hokkaidō is dōgai (lit. outside of Hokkaidō).[citation needed] With dōgai becoming common even in colloquial use, naichi ceased to be used.[citation needed]
The term "main islands" (本島 hontō) is used for Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku and Okinawa. The other estimated 6,847 smaller islands are called 'remote islands' (離島 ritō).[4]
^"内地とは" [Definition of 'naichi']. コトバンク (in Japanese). 日本国語大辞典 精選版. Retrieved January 10, 2023. 一国の領土が数個に分かれている場合、憲法の定める通常の法律が行なわれる区域。旧憲法下の北海道、本州、四国、九州がこれにあたる。(The area established by the Constitution where common law applies, in cases where the territory of one country is divided into several portions. Under the old Japanese Constitution, this definition applied to the territories of Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu).
^Japanese page about Mainland Japan (内地, Inland) and page about Gaichi 外地
^Nakano Bunko 中野文庫. (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 23, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
^. MLIT (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) (in Japanese). Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. August 22, 2015. Archived from the original (website) on November 13, 2007. Retrieved August 9, 2019. MILT classification 6,852 islands（main islands: 5 islands, remote islands: 6,847 islands)
mainland, japan, 内地, naichi, inner, lands, term, used, distinguish, japan, core, land, area, from, outlying, territories, most, commonly, used, distinguish, country, four, largest, islands, hokkaidō, honshū, kyūshū, shikoku, from, smaller, islands, such, ryuky. Mainland Japan 内地 naichi lit inner lands is a term used to distinguish Japan s core land area from its outlying territories It is most commonly used to distinguish the country s four largest islands Hokkaidō Honshu Kyushu and Shikoku from smaller islands such as the Ryukyu Islands and Ogasawara Islands although depending on the context the term Mainland Japan might refer only to Honshu the largest island Mainland JapanNative name 内地Passports for passengers between Mainland Japan and Okinawa during 1952 1972 GeographyLocationJapanDemographicsEthnic groupsJapanese peopleThe term s literal Japanese meaning might best be translated as inner Japan or inner lands The term mainland is somewhat inaccurate since it usually refers to all or part of a continental landmass rather than islands Mainland Japan was an official term in the pre war period distinguishing Japan proper from its colonies in the Far East which at that time included parts of mainland Asia After the end of World War II its usage became less common and lost its previous legal significance Contents 1 Historical usage 1 1 Naichi 1 2 Gaichi 2 Modern usage 3 See also 4 ReferencesHistorical usage EditIn the Japanese Empire of the pre war period naichi referred to the mainland of the empire The other territories of the empire was called gaichi 外地 lit outer lands The Meiji Constitution s Article 1 of the Common Law 共通法 enumerates the territories with legal jurisdictions namely Naichi Edit Naichi 内地 lit inner lands referred to the territories under direct control of the government They consisted of the following 1 Karafuto Prefecture after 1943 Chishima Islands Hokkaidō Honshu Shikoku Kyushu Izu Islands Ogasawara Islands Okinawa Minor outlying islands around themGaichi Edit Main article List of territories acquired by the Empire of Japan These territories were called gaichi 外地 lit outer lands They were part of the Empire of Japan but not under direct control by the central government 2 Chōsen Korea Taiwan Formosa Kwantung Province Karafuto until 1943 South Seas Mandate 3 Although it has never been abolished the Common Law lost effect from enforcement after Japan lost all the former colonies or gaichi as a result of World War II citation needed Modern usage EditThe residents of Hokkaidō and Okinawa occasionally use naichi to refer to the mainland excluding these areas The colloquial usage is officially incorrect as both areas are legally within naichi In Hokkaidō the official term that refers to Japan except Hokkaidō is dōgai lit outside of Hokkaidō citation needed With dōgai becoming common even in colloquial use naichi ceased to be used citation needed The term main islands 本島 hontō is used for Hokkaido Honshu Kyushu Shikoku and Okinawa The other estimated 6 847 smaller islands are called remote islands 離島 ritō 4 See also EditHome Islands Mainland China China properReferences Edit 内地とは Definition of naichi コトバンク in Japanese 日本国語大辞典 精選版 Retrieved January 10 2023 一国の領土が数個に分かれている場合 憲法の定める通常の法律が行なわれる区域 旧憲法下の北海道 本州 四国 九州がこれにあたる The area established by the Constitution where common law applies in cases where the territory of one country is divided into several portions Under the old Japanese Constitution this definition applied to the territories of Hokkaido Honshu Shikoku and Kyushu Japanese page about Mainland Japan 内地 Inland and page about Gaichi 外地 Nakano Bunko 中野文庫 Kyōtsuhō 共通法 in Japanese Archived from the original on December 23 2014 Retrieved December 10 2011 離島とは 島の基礎知識 what is a remote island MLIT Ministry of Land Infrastructure Transport and Tourism in Japanese Ministry of Land Infrastructure Transport and Tourism August 22 2015 Archived from the original website on November 13 2007 Retrieved August 9 2019 MILT classification 6 852 islands main islands 5 islands remote islands 6 847 islands 36 N 138 E 36 N 138 E 36 138 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mainland Japan amp oldid 1175944095 Gaichi, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
