island area; insular region
Refers to a region consisting of islands, often used in geographic or administrative contexts.
Unique cultures remain in Japan's island areas.
Promoting development in insular regions is an issue.
本土 means mainland, often contrasted with 島嶼部.
Standard kanji spelling. 嶼 is a non-jōyō kanji, so 島しょ部 is also used.
Common alternative spelling using しょ for the non-jōyō 嶼.
Compound of 島嶼 (とうしょ, 'islands') + 部 (ぶ, 'part, area'). 島嶼 is itself a compound of 島 (island) and 嶼 (island, islet).