ABSTRACT
Yonaguni, in the Yaeyama islands in Okinawa prefecture, is a small island (28.88 sq. km) at the westernmost point in Japan. Located at 24˚ 27′ N, 123˚ 00′ E, Yonaguni is 111 km from Taiwan and 509 km from Okinawa island. The total population of the island is 1,682. The main population centers are: Sonai (ubu-mura), where the town office is located, on the north coast; Kubura (kubura), a fishing port on the west coast; and Higawa/Hinai (ndi) in the south. The differences in dialect among these three villages appears small. Almost all data in this chapter was obtained from Sonai dialect speakers.
