noun
island area; insular region
Refers to a region consisting of islands, often used in geographic or administrative contexts.
日本の島嶼部には独自の文化が残っている。
Unique cultures remain in Japan's island areas.
島嶼部の振興が課題となっている。
Promoting development in insular regions is an issue.
本土 means mainland, often contrasted with 島嶼部.
Standard kanji spelling. 嶼 is a non-jōyō kanji, so 島しょ部 is also used.
Common alternative spelling using しょ for the non-jōyō 嶼.
Compound of 島嶼 (とうしょ, 'islands') + 部 (ぶ, 'part, area'). 島嶼 is itself a compound of 島 (island) and 嶼 (island, islet).