a group of three small Japanese islands in the southern part of the Sea of Japan. Their combined area is 323 sq km. The main island is Dogo (or Higashi Jima; approximately 250 sq km). The coastline is very jagged and there are many good harbors. Hills and low mountains (with elevations up to 608 m) predominate. The slopes have mixed forests. The principal occupations of the islands’ inhabitants include fishing, rice cultivation, and cuttlefish trapping. The main port is Saigo on Higashi Jima.