Ikeshima

Ikeshima or Ikejima (池島), also sometimes listed as Ike Island, is an island in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. Initially within the borders of Kamiura village, from 1955 until its merger with the city of Nagasaki in 2005, it was part of Sotome municipality.

Thousands of coal miners who lived on the island were formerly employed there, representing the vast majority of its population. The coal mines opened in 1959 and closed in 2001. The number of miners was reported to be 8,000, or over 10,000 at its peak. As of 2018, only 130 individuals, mostly retired miners or their relatives, remained on the island.

Etymology
The island is named after the former pond on the island, named Kagamigaike. The pond was destroyed in favour of turning it into a port. "Ike" (池) translates to pond, so a literal translation for Ikeshima would be "Pond Island".

Gallery
{{Gallery|File:Ike-Shima Island Nagasaki City Aerial Photograph.jpg|Ikeshima from above|Ikeshima, Nagasaki PB100105.jpg|View of Ikeshima from the Nagasaki coastline|Ikeshima, Nagasaki PB100260.jpg|View of Ikeshima from the islands ferry service|Ikeshima elementary school.jpg|Ikeshima Elementary School|Ikeshima tanko, Nagasaki PB100215.jpg|Abandoned coal mining facilities|Ferrykashima SES.jpg|Ikeshima ferry|}集団 (8220509465).jpg|Stray cats|Higashiosaka City Ikeshima elementary school.jpg|Ikeshima Elementary|Higashiosaka City Ikeshima junior high school.jpg|Ikeshima Junior High School|Mitsuimiike man-car Megamigo Jikai.jpg|Abandoned coal mine car}}