Mitoyo (三豊市, Mitoyo-shi) is a city located in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 September 2022, the city had an estimated population of 59,876 in 23024 households and a population density of 270 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the city is 222.73 square kilometres (86.00 sq mi).

Mitoyo
三豊市
Mitoyo Plain
Mitoyo Plain
Flag of Mitoyo
Official seal of Mitoyo
Map
Location of Mitoyo in Kagawa Prefecture
Location of Mitoyo
Mitoyo is located in Japan
Mitoyo
Mitoyo
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 34°10′57″N 133°42′54″E / 34.18250°N 133.71500°E / 34.18250; 133.71500
CountryJapan
RegionShikoku
PrefectureKagawa
Government
 • MayorAkishi Yamashita
Area
 • Total
222.73 km2 (86.00 sq mi)
Population
 (September 31, 2022)
 • Total
59,876
 • Density270/km2 (700/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address2373 Shimokatsuma, Takase-cho, Mitoyo-shi, Kagawa-ken 767-8585
ClimateCfa
WebsiteOfficial website
Mitoyo City Hall
Aerial view of Mitoyo city center
Shiudeyama

Geography

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Mitoyo is located in western Kagawa Prefecture. It faces the Seto Inland Sea to the north and borders Tokushima Prefecture across the Sanuki Mountains to the south. In the north, the Shonai Peninsula with Mt. Shiude and Mt. Myoken stretches out to the northwest. Some coastal parts of the city are within the borders of the Setonaikai National Park. The city includes Awashima Island and Shishijima in the Seto Inland Sea between Shikoku and Honshu.

Neighbouring municipalities

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Kagawa Prefecture

Tokushima Prefecture

Climate

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Mitoyo has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with hot, humid summers, and cool winters. Some rain falls throughout the year, but the months from May to September have the heaviest rain. The average annual temperature in Mitoyo is 15.3 °C (59.5 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,279.7 mm (50.38 in) with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.1 °C (80.8 °F), and lowest in January, at around 4.5 °C (40.1 °F).[2] The highest temperature ever recorded in Mitoyo was 38.4 °C (101.1 °F) on 6 August 2017; the coldest temperature ever recorded was −9.1 °C (15.6 °F) on 4 February 1999.[3]

Climate data for Saita, Mitoyo (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 19.5
(67.1)
23.5
(74.3)
26.3
(79.3)
29.9
(85.8)
32.7
(90.9)
35.3
(95.5)
37.5
(99.5)
38.4
(101.1)
37.6
(99.7)
32.5
(90.5)
25.8
(78.4)
22.8
(73.0)
38.4
(101.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 9.5
(49.1)
10.5
(50.9)
14.1
(57.4)
19.9
(67.8)
24.9
(76.8)
27.5
(81.5)
31.4
(88.5)
32.9
(91.2)
28.7
(83.7)
23.2
(73.8)
17.4
(63.3)
11.9
(53.4)
21.0
(69.8)
Daily mean °C (°F) 4.5
(40.1)
4.9
(40.8)
8.2
(46.8)
13.4
(56.1)
18.4
(65.1)
22.2
(72.0)
26.2
(79.2)
27.1
(80.8)
23.2
(73.8)
17.4
(63.3)
11.7
(53.1)
6.6
(43.9)
15.3
(59.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −0.2
(31.6)
−0.2
(31.6)
2.5
(36.5)
7.2
(45.0)
12.4
(54.3)
17.7
(63.9)
22.1
(71.8)
22.8
(73.0)
19.0
(66.2)
12.6
(54.7)
6.7
(44.1)
1.9
(35.4)
10.4
(50.7)
Record low °C (°F) −6.5
(20.3)
−9.1
(15.6)
−4.9
(23.2)
−2.0
(28.4)
3.0
(37.4)
8.2
(46.8)
14.5
(58.1)
15.5
(59.9)
7.9
(46.2)
2.5
(36.5)
−2.0
(28.4)
−5.2
(22.6)
−9.1
(15.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 44.7
(1.76)
51.9
(2.04)
86.7
(3.41)
86.0
(3.39)
115.2
(4.54)
171.7
(6.76)
178.7
(7.04)
121.5
(4.78)
183.6
(7.23)
123.6
(4.87)
66.9
(2.63)
61.9
(2.44)
1,279.7
(50.38)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 7.7 8.3 10.1 10.0 9.4 12.3 10.2 8.0 10.1 8.9 7.8 9.2 112
Mean monthly sunshine hours 111.7 129.3 166.8 193.9 203.9 144.9 182.2 207.1 147.5 157.3 131.2 109.9 1,888.3
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[3][2]

Demographics

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Per Japanese census data, the population of Mitoyo in 2020 is 61,857 people.[4] Mitoyo has been conducting censuses since 1920.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 69,504—    
1925 71,753+3.2%
1930 73,608+2.6%
1935 73,501−0.1%
1940 72,679−1.1%
1945 92,233+26.9%
1950 94,403+2.4%
1955 90,885−3.7%
1960 84,827−6.7%
1965 78,690−7.2%
1970 75,210−4.4%
1975 76,726+2.0%
1980 77,939+1.6%
1985 78,282+0.4%
1990 77,284−1.3%
1995 75,845−1.9%
2000 73,494−3.1%
2005 71,180−3.1%
2010 68,512−3.7%
2015 65,524−4.4%
2020 61,857−5.6%
Mitoyo population statistics[4]

History

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The area of Mitoyo was part of the ancient Sanuki Province and has been inhabited since prehistoric times. A number of shell mounds from the Jōmon period have been identified, and the Minami Kusagi Shell Mound is the largest shell mound in Kagawa Prefecture and the Kotsutajima Shell Midden is the oldest in the Seto Inland Sea region. During the Edo Period, the city area was divided between the holdings of Marugame Domain and Tadotsu Domain, and direct tenryō holdings of the Tokugawa shogunate. Following the Meiji restoration, the area was divided into villages within Mino District, which merged with Toyota District to form Mitoyo District, Kagawa in 1899.

The city of Mitoyo was established on January 1, 2006, from the merger of all seven towns of Mitoyo District: Mino, Nio, Saita, Takase, Takuma, Toyonaka and Yamamoto.

Government

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Mitoyo has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 22 members. Mitoyo contributes three members to the Kagawa Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Kagawa 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

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The area of Mitoyo was noted for its salt industry in ancient times. In the modern era, efforts have been made to develop harbors and industries in the coastal area, creating a coastal industrial zone centered on Takuma Port. On the other hand, the Shonai Peninsula and offshore islands are focused on flower gardening and tourism. Agriculture remains the largest industry, notably fruits such as grapes, mandarin oranges, and peaches. The city is the largest tea producing area in Kagawa Prefecture. Other crops include lettuce, onions, loquats, and rice. Efforts are being made to integrate agriculture and tourism to promote regional development.

Education

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Mitoyo has 19 public elementary schools and six public middle schools operated by the city government, and one private middle school. The city has two public high schools operated by the Kagawa Prefectural Board of Education and one private high school.

Transportation

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Railways

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  Shikoku Railway Company - Yosan Line

  Shikoku Railway Company - Dosan Line

Highways

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Sister cities

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Local attractions

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Noted people from Mitoyo

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References

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  1. ^ "Mitoyo city official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
  2. ^ a b 気象庁 / 平年値(年・月ごとの値). JMA. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  3. ^ a b 観測史上1~10位の値(年間を通じての値). JMA. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Mitoyo population statistics
  5. ^ "City of Waupaca: Sister City". City of Waupaca, Wisconsin. 13 June 2014. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
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