Yomitan

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Yomitan, also known as Yuntan, is a village on the west coast of central Okinawa Island in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. It borders Onna to the north, Okinawa City to the east, Kadena to the south, and the East China Sea to the west. The village covers about 35 square kilometers and has around 41,000 residents.

History
Yomitan was once called Yomitanzan and was part of the Ryukyu Kingdom. In 1416, Gosamaru helped Shō Hashi conquer Hokuzan and build Zakimi Castle, a site now recognized as a World Heritage location. The port at Hamanaga was an important center for Nanban trade. In 1609, Ryukyu was invaded by Satsuma. After Ryukyu was annexed by Japan in 1879, the magiri system ended in 1907 and Yomitanzan became a village. It was the first area to see fighting on Okinawa during World War II; Zakimi Castle was used as a gun position, and the Hija River area marked the initial Allied landings. In 1945, villagers at Chibichiri Cave faced a mass suicide ordered by the Japanese military during the Battle of Okinawa. After the war, the area was renamed Yomitan.

Today
Yomitan is known for its crafts, including Ryukyuan pottery (yachimun) and Ryukyu glass, as well as sugar and salt making. The village is home to many historical sites, including the Zakimi Castle ruins, and it has a number of cultural properties. The main crops are chrysanthemums, sugarcane, and sweet potatoes (beni imo). The beni imo sweet potato is celebrated in local culture, with events like a Miss Beni Imo contest.

Population and economy
The village has about 40,000–41,000 residents and is the largest village in Japan by population. Most people work in services and trade, with smaller shares in farming and manufacturing. The village’s emblem is a flying phoenix, and the flower is bougainvillea.

Military and land use
Around 36% of Yomitan’s land is leased to Japan’s government for use by U.S. military bases under the U.S.–Japan Status of Forces Agreement. Bases such as Torii Station and Kadena Ammunition Storage Area are located here; some areas were returned to local control in 2007 and now host civic facilities, including the Yomitan Village Office. Yomitan is connected by bus to Naha and other parts of Okinawa, and Route 58 runs through the area.

Symbol and travel
The village’s symbol is the flying phoenix, and its flower is bougainvillea. People visit Yomitan for its beaches, crafts, and cultural sites, and they can try making pottery, glass, sugar, and salt, as well as explore the Zakimi Castle ruins. The mayor is Denjitsu Ishimine, and Yomitan remains a village in Nakagami District. If the population grows to 50,000, it could become a city with more autonomy.