Island Languages Day is observed in the Amami Islands of Japan every February 18. This day highlights the importance of preserving the indigenous Ryukyuan languages, which are not mutually intelligible with Japanese or each other. The Amami language, spoken by about 12,000 people in the Amami archipelago, is closely related to Okinawan, though both languages are considered endangered. The celebration aims to draw public attention to the decline of these languages, which have faced significant challenges due to historical assimilation policies and legal restrictions imposed by the Japanese government. Linguists and language activists organize various events to emphasize the cultural heritage associated with these languages. The observance was established following the declaration of a similar day in Okinawa Prefecture in 2006, with the Amami Islands adopting it in 2007.