It is uncertain when human settlement first began on Ōshima, but archaeological finds from the Jōmon period have been discovered, and the island is mention from early Nara period documents. It is mentioned in historical records for its many volcanic eruptions. After the start of the Meiji period, in 1878, the island came under the control of Tokyo-fu and was organized into six villages (Okada, Motomura, Senzu, Nomashi, Sashikiji and Habuminato) under Oshima subprefecture on April 1, 1908. The six villages were merged to form Ōshima Town on April 1, 1955.
In the mid-1930s, Izu Ōshima became a popular suicide destination after three schoolgirls jumped into the active volcano in the center of the island. In 1935 alone, more than 800 suicides were recorded.[4]
The central volcano on the island, Mount Mihara erupted in 1965 and again in 1986, forcing the temporary evacuation of the inhabitants.
On 16 October 2013, Typhoon Wipha passed over the island, dropping 80 cm (31 in) of rain in 24 hours and causing a landslide that killed 35 people.[5]
Economy
Fishing and seasonal tourism are the mainstays of the economy of Ōshima.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education operates two high schools in the municipality. Ōshima High School is an agriculture school known for producing baseball players, and Ōshima International Maritime Academy [ja] is a marine biology school. Ōshima High School is attended primarily by children native to the island. Ōshima International Maritime Academy draws students from mainland Tokyo and neighboring Izu in order to participate in its marine biology program.
