OKI ISLANDS

Japanese Oki-shotto, archipelago, Shimane ken (prefecture), Japan, lying in the Sea of Japan off the coast of Honshu. The largest island is Dogo; the three smaller isles (Chiburi, Nishino, Nakano) are collectively known as Dozen. The four islands have a combined coastline of 223 miles (359 km) and an area of 134 square miles (348 square km). The chief town is Saigo, on the island of Dogo, about 50 miles (80 km) from the Honshu port of Sakaiminato. Fishing is the main economic activity. The archipelago is celebrated in Japanese history because its possession was much disputed during the feudal period and because two emperors were banished there by the Hojo regents in the 13th and 14th centuries. The islands now form part of Daisen-Oki National Park. Pop. (1980) 29,478; (1990) 27,493.