As Okinawa continues to mark record high numbers of tourists in recent years, the prefecture is struggling to dispose of snowballing garbage and supplying sufficient amounts of water.
According to data released by the prefectural office in April, tourist numbers in Okinawa hit a record 8.77 million, including 2.13 million foreigners, in fiscal 2016 through March 31.
The total number of domestic and overseas tourists has hit record levels for four consecutive years, according to the local government. Of the fiscal 2016 total, the highest number of tourists came from Taiwan, followed by South Korea, mainland China and Hong Kong.