The is a geopolitical name for a group of islands that forms the northern part of the Ryukyu Islands. The whole island group belongs to Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
Although Satsunan literally means the south of Satsuma Province, the north-eastern group of the à Âsumi Islands formed Tane Province for a brief period in the 8th and 9th centuries and then was merged into à Âsumi Province. The Tokara Islands and the northwestern group of the à Âsumi Islands belonged to Kawanabe District of Satsuma Province. The Amami Islands paid tribute to the Ryukyu Kingdom to the South until they were put under direct control in the late 16th century, but were conquered in 1609 by the Satsuma Domain.
In 1879, the Amami Islands became à Âshima District of Kagoshima Prefecture. The Tokara Islands and the north-western group of the à Âsumi Islands were transferred to à Âshima District in 1897, and then to Kagoshima District in 1973. After World War II, the Tokara and Amami Islands were put under United States military occupation, which formed the Government of the Northern Ryukyus. The Japanese government fiercely contested the Amami Islands being affiliated with the word "Ryukyu", believing that it would lead to a later return of the islands to their control. The Tokara Islands were returned to Japan in 1952, and the Amami Islands in December 1953.