| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 1.9+ million[1][2] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States | 580,000[3] |
 Japan (excl. Ryukyu Islands) | 480,000[2]note |
 Brazil | 260,000[4]note |
 Peru | 150,000[4]note |
 Taiwan | 110,000[4]note |
 Argentina | 90,000[4]note |
 Canada | 80,000[4]note |
 Mexico | 70,000[4]note |
 Chile | 60,000[4]note |
 Philippines | 40,000[4]note |
 Malaysia | 12,500[4]note |
 Ecuador | -[4]note |
| Languages | |
| Ryukyuan languages, Japanese, English, Tagalog, Chinese, and others | |
| Religion | |
| Ryukyuan religion, Buddhism, Shinto, Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Japanese diaspora | |
^ note: Ryukyuans living in Japan outside of the Ryukyu Islands are considered part of an internal diaspora. ^ note: The exact number of Ryukyuans living in other countries is unknown. They are usually counted as Japanese or Asian in censuses. | |
The Ryukyuan diaspora are the Ryukyuan emigrants from the Ryukyu Islands, especially Okinawa Island, and their descendants that reside in a foreign country. The first recorded emigration of Ryukyuans was in the 15th century when they established an exclave in Fuzhou in Ming Dynasty (China). Later, there was a large wave of emigration to Hawaii at the start of the 20th century, followed by a wave to various Pacific islands in the 1920s and multiple migrations to the Americas throughout the 20th century. Ryukyuans became Japanese citizens when Japan annexed the Ryukyu Kingdom in 1879; therefore Ryukyuan immigrants are often labeled as part of the Japanese diaspora. Regardless, some of the Ryukyuan diaspora view themselves as a distinct group from the Japanese (Yamato).
- ^ Noguchi, Mary Goebel; Fotos, Sandra (2001). Studies in Japanese Bilingualism. Multilingual Matters. p. 69. ISBN 978-1-85359-490-8. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
- ^ a b Rabson, Steve. The Okinawan Diaspora in Japan: Crossing the Borders Within. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2012. 2.
- ^ Mitchell, Jon (2016-10-22). "Welcome home, Okinawa". The Japan Times Online.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Nakasone 2002, p. [page needed].
© MMXXIII Rich X Search. We shall prevail. All rights reserved. Rich X Search