domestic; within the country
General term for 'within a country's borders', often used in contrast to foreign or overseas. Common in economic and political contexts.
inland; interior
Refers to areas away from the coast or border; the interior of a country. Often used in geographical descriptions.
Japan proper; homeland (historical)
Historical term used during Japan's colonial period to refer to Japan itself, as opposed to its overseas territories. Now mainly encountered in historical contexts.
mainland Japan (Honshu)
Used by residents of Hokkaido and Okinawa to refer to Honshu, the main island. Carries a regional perspective and is common in everyday speech in those areas.
A policy was adopted to protect domestic industries.
Domestic travel is cheaper than overseas travel.
The typhoon passed the coastal area and moved inland.
The climate in the interior is dry.
Before the war, many people migrated from Japan proper to the colonies.
In the homeland, rice shortages were severe.
Many students from Hokkaido go to universities on the mainland.
The heat on the mainland is tough for me, coming from Okinawa.
内地 means the home country or mainland, standing in contrast to 戦地, the overseas war zone soldiers were sent to.
Compound of 内 (nai, 'inside') and 地 (chi, 'land'). The meaning 'Japan proper' arose during the Meiji era to distinguish the home islands from colonies.