International Association for Ryukyu and Okinawa Studies
The International Association for Ryukyu and Okinawa Studies (IAROS) is a worldwide association of scientists who study the language, culture and history, but also questions of the natural environment of the Ryukyu island chain (now the Prefecture of Okinawa and parts of the prefecture Kagoshima , Japan ).
IAROS was founded in 2006 on the occasion of the 5th International Symposium of Okinawa Studies at the University of Venice . The founding committee consists of scientists from Okinawa itself, Japan, the People's Republic of China , the USA , Australia and Europe .