BONIN ISLANDS

Japanese Ogasawara-gunto, about 30 volcanic islands and islets in the central Pacific Ocean, 500 mi (800 km) southeast of Japan. They can be divided into three main groups: Chichijima-retto (Beechey Group: Ani-jima, Chichi-jima), Mukojima-retto (Parry Group: Muko-jima), and Hahajima-retto (Baily Group: Haha-jima). The highest point (1,500 ft ) is on Haha-jima. A part of Tokyo Metropolis (to) before World War II, they were afterward placed under U.S. military control until returned to Japan in 1968. They are now under a common administration with Minami-Torishima (Marcus Island) and the Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto). The largest island, Chichi-jima (9.5 sq mi [25 sq km]), has the best anchorage, Futami-byochi (Port Lloyd Harbour). Discovered by the Spanish navigator Ruy Lopez de Villalobos in 1543, the islands, which command a strategic position astride the Pacific approaches to East Asia, were vaguely claimed by the U.S. (1823) and Britain (1825) but were formally annexed by Japan (1876). Only 11 percent of their total land area (28 sq mi) is arable, the remainder being hilly and forested. Valuable stands of timber include cedar, rosewood, ironwood, boxwood, sandalwood, and white oak. Whaling is conducted offshore. Pop. (1980) 2,010.