(or Nansei-Shoto, or Liukiu), island chain belonging to Japan and extending between Taiwan and Kyushu; sugarcane, sweet potatoes, rice; exports include sugar, fabrics, lacquer; islands included in Japanese empire 1879; occupied by U.S. 1945; under Japanese peace treaty with Allies, effective 1952, Ryukyus were to be administered by U.S. pending the placing of the islands under United Nations trusteeship, with U.S. as administering authority; in 1953, the Amami Islands were returned by U.S. to Japan; remainder of Ryukyus (pop. 934,176), including Okinawa, returned by U.S. to Japan 1972; under broader definition, including Osumi Islands just s. of Kyushu, the Ryukyu Islands have a total area of about 1,750 sq mi (4,530 sq km) and a population of 1,198,386, , . see also in index Amami Islands; Okinawa