Île Amami-Oshima, île Tokunoshima, partie nord de l’île d’Okinawa et île d’Iriomote

Located in the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, this natural site encompasses four distinct island areas: Amami-Oshima, Tokunoshima, the northern portion of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island. The site protects a significant portion of the Ryukyu subtropical forest ecosystem, characterized by unique flora and fauna adapted to the warm oceanic climate of this insular region. The islands support diverse wildlife, including endemic species found nowhere else in the world, with their biodiversity representing a transition zone between temperate and tropical ecosystems. The landscape comprises forested terrain interspersed with coastal areas, reflecting both the geological formation of the Ryukyu arc and the long-term ecological processes that have shaped these islands. The site's inscription recognizes the importance of preserving this distinct natural heritage and the ecological relationships that define the Ryukyu Islands' biological richness.