home islands

American  

[hohm ahy-luhndz] / ˈhoʊm ˈaɪ ləndz /

plural noun

1. the Japanese archipelago (excluding Sakhalin), especially as distinguished from Japan’s former colonies and its other territories.

2. History/Historical. the progressively limited areas over which the Japanese emperor retained sovereignty during the end of World War II.

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Etymology

Origin of home islands

First recorded in 1800–10, in reference to the British Isles

Example Sentences

The Chagossians thought they had a chance to return home with the U.K.’s deal to hand over their home islands and lease the Diego Garcia military base.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

Japan’s incendiary balloons were conceived of and launched as retaliation for the U.S.’s 1942 Doolittle Raid on the home islands, with the goal of burning forests and cities.

From Slate • Feb. 10, 2023

The displaced residents have fought for years in the courts for the right to return to their home islands, which the U.K. calls the British Indian Ocean Territory.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 14, 2022

A Navy demolitions expert, Draper Kauffman, would have been among the first to land on the beaches of Kyushu had an invasion of Japan’s home islands been deemed necessary.

From Washington Post • Jun. 11, 2020

Every British follower of the Faith, whether in his home islands or overseas, must feel proud and deeply grateful for the impending consummation of so superb and momentous a victory.

From Unfolding Destiny by Shoghi Effendi