Okinawa Prefecture is the westernmost and southernmost prefecture of Japan. It is situated of the Ryukyu Island Chain, which extends from the southern end of Kyushu to Taiwan. The northern island group (Satsunan) is administered by Kagoshima Prefecture.  The southern groups (Okinawa, Sakishima, Daito) are part of Okinawa Prefecture. The largest island is Okinawa, which is hope to the majority of the prefecture's population. 

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The Sakishima island group is further subdivided into the Miyako, Yaeyama, and Senkaku Islands. The Senkakus are contested between Japan and the People's Republic of China. Altogether the Ryukyu islands are bordered by the East China Sea to the west and the North Philippine Sea to the south.

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The Ryukyu Kingdom ruled Okinawa and the surrounding islands from 1429 until1879 when they were annexed by the newly created Empire of Japan. Okinawa was heavily militarized and saw heavy fighting during the Second World War, and was governed by the United States until 1972. Many important U.S. Military bases are situated on Okinawa, and more than 75% of U.S. Forces Japan personnel across all services are assigned there. The JASDF Southwestern Composite Air Division is based at Naha Air base.