Japan refers its dispute with Qing China…

Japan refers its dispute with Qing China concerning suzerainty over the Ryukyu Kingdom to British arbitration in 1879, and the British confirm Japanese sovereignty over the Ryukyus, a result which is not recognized by China.

Nevertheless, Japan uses this as the justification for taking de facto control over Ryukyu, moving the king of Ryukyu to Japan and incorporating Ryukyu as a prefecture of Japan.

The ensuing Chinese protest leads to the matter being submitted to U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant as arbitrator, during which Japan offers to split Ryukyu between Japan and China.

This is refused by China, but a weakened China is unable in practice to stop Japanese incorporation of the islands.

The surrendering aborigines are given Japanese flags to fly over their villages that they view as a symbol of peace with Japan and protection from rival tribes; however, the Japanese view them as a symbol of jurisdiction over the aborigines.