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is a term to distinguish the area of Japan from its outlying territories. It was an official term in the pre-war period, distinguishing Japan and the colonies in East Asia. After the end of World War II, the term became uncommon, but still is used as an unofficial term to distinguish the area of Japan from Okinawa or Hokkaidō. The literal Japanese meaning might best be translated as inner Japan or inner lands. The term "mainland" is an inaccurate translation because mainland is usually the continental part of a region, as opposed to the islands. It is also somewhat confusing as Mainland Japan is defined to consist of several major islands (Hokkaidō, Honshū, Kyūshū, Shikoku) and many minor ones. The term mainland Japan is also sometimes used to translate Honshū, the largest island, though ''naichi'' not. ==Historical usage== In the Japanese Empire of the pre-war period, ''naichi'' referred to the mainland of the empire. The other territories of the empire was called ''gaichi'' (外地, lit. "outer lands"). 1 of the Common Law (共通法) enumerates the territories with legal jurisdictions, namely, * ''Naichi'' (Mainland Japan), * Chōsen (Korea), * Taiwan, * Kwantung Province, and * Nan'yō Islands. In other words, ''Naichi'' consisted of the following: *Karafuto Prefecture *Chishima Islands *Hokkaidō *Honshū *Shikoku *Kyūshū *Izu Islands *Ogasawara Islands *Okinawa *Minor outlying islands around them Although it has never been abolished, the Common Law lost effect from enforcement after Japan lost all the former colonies, or ''gaichi'' as a result of World War II. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Mainland Japan」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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