Uni Island: A Restricted Island of Military Significance near Tsushima

Uni Island, or 海栗島 in Japanese, is a small island located in Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, positioned on the maritime border between Japan and South Korea. Its location holds strategic significance, lying in the Tsushima Strait.The entire island is state-owned and serves as a base for the Air Self-Defense Force, specifically the 19th Vigilance Team of the Western Air Vigilance Control Regiment under the Western Air Front. Due to its military function, public access is prohibited.Historically, Uni Island has been a military outpost since 1903 when the Imperial Japanese Army Ministry established a radio base there. In 1935, the Uni Island Battery was completed, and it remained a military base until the end of World War II. After the war, it was briefly used as agricultural land before being re-established as a military site in 1955.The island's name, which translates to 'sea urchin island', comes from the abundance of sea urchins found in the surrounding waters. Although generally off-limits, villagers from nearby Waniura are sometimes permitted to visit the island for the Itobatago Festival, with transportation provided by the Self-Defense Forces.