noun
Nansei Islands; Ryukyu Islands
Geographical term for the island chain stretching from southwestern Kyushu to near Taiwan. Often used interchangeably with 琉球諸島, though some definitions distinguish the two.
See also: 琉球諸島
南西諸島は美しい海に囲まれている。
The Nansei Islands are surrounded by beautiful seas.
南西諸島には多くの固有種が生息している。
Many endemic species inhabit the Nansei Islands.