ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author proposes a theory to explain the historical and present circumstances of “border islands” in Northeast Asia and applies that theory to a pair of particular cases. One of the geo-political characteristics of Northeast Asia is its liminality on the edge of Eurasia, granting islands regional importance in international relations. One of the features of these border islands is “uneasiness.” The uneasiness of border islands refers to the unstable status or functions of the islands and the complex identities of islanders. The uneasiness stems from the historical bordering/de-bordering/re-bordering process on border islands. The central government can include or exclude the border islands into/from their homeland due to national security and the benefit/cost of rule. The geopolitical strategy of the central government can make border islands fortresses or sacrificial stones defending the mainland. The uneasiness of border islands can affect the identity of the island people. This chapter conducts two case studies and offers a comparative analysis of the modern and contemporary history of Sakhalin oblast and Okinawa prefecture, in order to better explicate the characteristics of border islands and their populations in Northeast Asia.
