Iōjima (Kagoshima)
Iōjima, also known as Satsuma Iōjima, Satsuma-Iwo Jima or Tokara Iōjima, is one of the Satsunan Islands, usually classed with the Ōsumi Islands, belonging to Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. Along with Takeshima and Kuroshima, it makes up the three-island village of Mishima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. The island, 11.65 km2 in area, has a population of 142.
Geography
Iōjima is one of the Ōsumi islands, and is located south of Kagoshima. The island has an area of approximately with a length of in length from east to west and from north to south.[file:2015 Satsuma-Iojima Iodake.jpg|thumb|250px|Mount Iōdake (May 2015). Taken from the east.]
Iōjima is of volcanic origin, and is the northern edge of the Kikai Caldera, a stratovolcano rising from the ocean floor to above sea level at its highest peak (Mount Iōdake). Kikai Caldera is ranked class A for volcanic activity. It is constantly erupting, emitting massive amounts of sulfur dioxide which causes damage to agricultural products. Hot springs high in iron concentration from the port bottom gush and due to contact with oxygen, the port waters change to a reddish-brown color. Due to the sulfur, the sea area around the island is yellow in color. This gave rise to the name "Sulfur Island".
The climate of Iōjima is classified as subtropical, with a rainy season from May through September.
Shōwa Iōjima, a small uninhabited island, is located just offshore to the north.
History
Historically Iōjima is one of the islands identified as Kikai Island, an island of exile mentioned in the Heike Monogatari, where the conspirator Shunkan was exiled. However, there are other islands in the Ryukyu Islands which also make the same claim.During the Edo period, Iōjima was part of Satsuma Domain and was administered as part of Kawabe District. In 1896, the island was transferred to the administrative control of Ōshima District, Kagoshima, and from 1911 was part of the village of Toshima, Kagoshima. From 1946-1952, the southern seven islands in the Toshima group belonging to the Tokara archipelago came under the administration of the United States as part of the Provisional Government of Northern Ryukyu Islands; however, since Iōjima is located north of 30 degrees North, it remained Japanese territory during this time, and came under the administration of the village of Mishima in Kagoshima Prefecture.