Prefecture/City:	Okinawa Prefecture
Capital/Prefecture:	Naha City
Governor/Mayor:	Denny Tamaki
Area:	2,276 square km (879 square miles)
Population:	1.42 million as of October 2013
Flower:	Indian Coral Tree
Tree:	Luchu pine
Bird:	Okinawa woodpecker

Business & Industry:

Located at Japan’s westernmost point, close to Southeast Asian countries, Okinawa Prefecture is trying to be the hub in East Asia for information infrastructure, and air and sea transportation. The prefecture houses Japan’s only free-trade zone, inviting domestic and foreign companies with tax benefits for business.

Tourism & Culture:

The tourism and leisure industries are the largest business sectors, attracting almost 6 million visitors a year with beautiful coral beaches and tropical scenery at the 160 islands that make up the prefecture. Okinawa was an independent dynasty until becoming a part of Japan in the 15th century, developing its own unique culture.

Famous for:

Coral reefs, including Japan’s largest. Also, Okinawa was occupied by the U.S. between 1945 and 1972, and about three-fourths of U.S. military bases in Japan are located there.