History of Chichijima Island
Discovery of the Ogasawara Islands (Bonin Islands)Whaling culture and first immigrants
Since Ogasawara was an uninhabited island until about 200 years ago, it is called “Buninshima”, which means unmanned island in Japanese. In the English-speaking countries, the Ogasawara Islands is called Bonin Islands. The geographical name “Ogasawara” comes from the legend that Sadayori Ogasawara, a samurai of Shinano country discovered in 1593. In the 19th century, activity of hunting whales was popular in the Pacific Ocean, especially it was popular in the sea around Ogasawara ocean among Western whaling fleet. In 1830, Westerner and Pacific Islander who settled to supply water and foods to whaling ship became the first settlers.
Evacuation during wartime and handover to Japan after the war
Ogasawara became the Japanese territory in 1876 (Meiji 9) by investigation and development during the Edo Shogunate and the Meiji government. Then, from the Taisho to the early Showa era, the population exceeds 7000 and flourished by agriculture and fishery taking advantage of subtropical climate. However, due to the Pacific War, most islanders were ordered to forced evacuation to mainland. After the war, Ogasawara was placed under US military rule. Then, 23 years later in 1968, Ogasawara Islands were handed over to Japan. In 1979, village government was established aiming for a village that coexists with nature as it is nowadays.
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Chichijima Island
- Features of Chichijima Island
- History of Chichijima Island
- Wildlife of Chichijima Island
- Sightseeing on Chichijima Island
- Accessing Chichijima Island