The Ryukyuan languages are a group of languages spoken in the Ryukyu Islands, which are located southwest of Japan. These languages are part of the Japonic language family and include several distinct varieties, such as Okinawan, Amami, and Miyako. Each variety has its own unique features and is often not mutually intelligible with the others. Ryukyuan languages have a rich cultural heritage and are influenced by both indigenous traditions and historical interactions with China and Japan. However, these languages are considered endangered, with many speakers shifting to Japanese due to social and economic pressures. Efforts are being made to preserve and revitalize these languages.