Yokoate-jima

Yokoate-jima is an uninhabited volcanic island located in the Tokara Islands, part of the Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.

Geography

Yokoate-jima is located south-southwest from Takarajima and northwest from Amami Ōshima
The island is formed by two smaller stratovolcanoes - Higashimine to the east, with a maximum elevation of and Nishimine to the west, with a maximum elevation of. The only known volcanic activity on either peak was towards the end of the Edo period, around 1835 ± 30 years. The inside of both caldera are forested, whereas the outer slopes of both mountains is largely barren.
The local climate is classified as subtropical, with a rainy season from May through September.
Kaminonejima is another uninhabited island located approximately north of Yokoate-jima. It is another exposed portion of the caldera rim of the same stratovolcano as Yokoate-jima.

History

Yokoate-jima is surrounded by cliffs, making landing difficult. It does not appear to have ever had permanent human habitation. During the Edo period, Yokoate-jima 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 administered as part of the village of Toshima, Kagoshima. From 1946 to 1952, the island was administered by the United States as part of the Provisional Government of Northern Ryukyu Islands.