Uotsuri Island, Disputed island in East China Sea
Uotsuri Island rises from the East China Sea northeast of Taiwan, its rocky slopes climbing to a peak around 383 meters high. The coastline alternates between steep cliffs and narrow gravel beaches, while the interior holds dense low vegetation across roughly 4 square kilometers.
Japan assumed control of the island in 1895 during the war with China and placed it under state administration. China and Taiwan have since claimed the territory based on earlier records from the Ming dynasty.
The island serves as a nesting ground for thousands of short-tailed and black-footed albatross species during winter months.
Access to the island is heavily restricted due to ongoing disputes, and landing requires official permits that are rarely granted. Boats from Ishigaki take roughly seven hours to reach the island, but no regular visitor services currently operate.
Thousands of short-tailed and black-footed albatrosses use the island as a nesting site during winter months, returning to the same spots each year. A survey in 1980 recorded over 339 plant species on the island, with plant communities shifting as the elevation changes.
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