During World War II, why did Japan strongly and passionately defend Iwo Jima?

Iwo Jima was part of Tokyo Prefecture, so Japan regarded it as part of its homeland and defended it fiercely. Its location also made it strategically important in the air war, but it was not in the Philippines or a base for attacking Australia. The correct choice is “It was considered part of the Japanese homeland.”

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.