Micronesia (Japanese: ミクロネシア), officially Federated States of Micronesia (ミクロネシア連邦) is an independent nation comprising the Palau, Northern Marianas, Marshall and Caroline Islands in the western Pacific Ocean. Created from the former Japanese territory of Nan'yō by the Allied Council. Briefly administered by the Joint Allies Administration for the Pacific (JAAP). Since 1947, although independent, Micronesia keeps strong economical and cultural links with Japan.