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'Mainland Japan' (Japanese: 内地 ''naichi'', lit. "inner lands") is an uncommon term to distinguish the area of Japan from Okinawa and Hokkaidō and the colonies that Japan used to possess in East Asia. The literal Japanese meaning might best be translated as inner Japan or inner lands. The term "mainland" is an inaccurate translation because mainland is usually the continental part of a region, as opposed to the islands.
It is also somewhat confusing as Mainland Japan is defined to consist of several major islands (Honshū, Kyūshū, Shikoku) and many minor ones. The term mainland Japan is also sometimes used to translate Honshū, the largest island, though ''naichi'' not.
''See also Home Islands''