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'''Okinawa''' is a part of a collection of islands south of the Japanese Home Islands that have been Japanese possessions since the seventeenth century.

'''Okinawa''' is a part of a collection of islands south of the Japanese Home Islands that have been Japanese possessions since the seventeenth century.

It was the site of the bloodiest battle between the United States and Japan of [[World War II]], beginning on April 1, 1945. A total of 60,000 U.S. troops landed on Okinawa in the largest amphibious attack of the War in the Pacific.  A total of 12,000 Americans died and 36,000 were wounded.  The Japanese sunk or damaged 400 American ships.<ref>http://www.amerisearch.net/index.php?date=2004-04-01&view=View</ref> The battle inflicted casualties of more than 100,000 on Japan.  But their [[kamikaze]] attacks actually grew more intense with the greater number of injuries.<ref>''Id.''</ref>

It was the site of the bloodiest battle between the United States and Japan of [[World War II]], beginning on April 1, 1945. A total of 60,000 U.S. troops landed on Okinawa in the largest amphibious attack of the War in the Pacific.  A total of 12,000 Americans died and 36,000 were wounded.  The Japanese sunk or damaged 400 American ships.<ref>http://www.amerisearch.net/index.php?date=2004-04-01&view=View</ref> The battle inflicted casualties of over 100,000 on the Japanese, many of them civilians<ref>http://www.peace-museum.pref.okinawa.jp/english/index.html</ref>.  But their [[kamikaze]] attacks actually grew more intense with the greater number of injuries.<ref>''Id.''</ref>

Modern Okinawa Prefecture now is a popular Japanese tourist destination.

Modern Okinawa Prefecture now is a popular Japanese tourist destination.