Sado Island

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Sado Island

Native name: 佐渡島
Topographic map of Sado Island
Geography
Location	Japanese Archipelago
Coordinates	38°04′03″N 138°23′51″E / 38.06750°N 138.39750°E / 38.06750; 138.39750
Area	854.76[1] km2 (330.02 sq mi)
Highest elevation	1,172 m (3845 ft)
Highest point	Mount Kinpoku [ja]
Administration
Sado, Niigata, Japan

Sado Island (佐渡島, Sadogashima or Sadoshima) is an island located in the eastern part of the Sea of Japan, under the jurisdiction of Sado City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, with a coastline of 262.7 kilometres (163.2 mi). In October 2017, Sado Island had a population of 55,212 people. Sado Island covers an area of 854.76 km² (330.02 sq mi), and is the second largest island after Okinawa Island outside of the four main islands of Japan, excluding the disputed Southern Kurils.^[1] The shortest distance between Sado Island and Honshu is 32 km (20 mi).^[2] The highest peak on Sado Island is Mount Kinpoku, with an elevation of 1,172 m (3,845 ft).^[3]

During World War II, the island was the site of forced labor. Around 1,500 Korean laborers were conscripted to work in difficult and inferior conditions in mines on the island. The Japanese government and some Japanese scholars have denied that they were forced to work. In 2022, Japan filed to add the mines of the island to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, which sparked international and domestic criticism, particularly from South Korea. An exhibit about the harsh working conditions suffered by Korean laborers was established, after which South Korea supported the bid. However, some have criticized the exhibit as not explicitly mentioning the use of forced labor.^[4] In 2024, the Sado Island Gold Mines were registered as a World Heritage Site.^[5][6] South Korea requested that Japan mention forced labor in the exhibit, and Japan rejected this request.^[7]