Ōamishirasato (大網白里市, Ōamishirasato-shi) is a city located in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 November 2020[update], the city had an estimated population of 49,019 in 21,860 households and a population density of 840 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the city is 58.06 square kilometres (22.42 sq mi).
Geography
Ōamishirasato is located in central Chiba prefecture, approximately 50 to 60 kilometers from the center of Tokyo. The city area is long and narrow from east to west. In the west is the hilly "Oami district", in the center is the agricultural "Masuho district" and in the east, facing the Pacific Ocean is the "Shirasato district". The city is in the southwestern part of Kujukuri Plain and is part of the Kujūkuri beach region.
Ōamishirasato has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Ōamishirasato is 15.2 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1581 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.2 °C, and lowest in January, at around 5.3 °C.[2]
Demographics
Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Ōamishirasato has recently plateaued after a long period of growth.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1970
22,789
—
1980
25,478
+11.8%
1990
32,742
+28.5%
2000
48,051
+46.8%
2010
50,113
+4.3%
2020
48,129
−4.0%
History
Ōami Town and Shirasato Village were created during the organization of Sanbu District within Chiba Prefecture with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Shirasato was elevated to town status on August 10, 1935. Ōami Town expanded through the annexation of neighboring villages of Yamane and Mizuho on April 1, 1951. Ōami and Shirasato Towns and Masuho Village were merged to create Ōamishirasato Town on December 1, 1954. The town annexed a portion of Honnō Town in a boundary adjustment of November 1, 1957. Ōamishirasato was elevated to city status on January 1, 2013.[4][5][6]
Government
Ōamishirasato has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 18 members. Ōamishirasato contributes one member to the Chiba Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Chiba 11th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
Ōamishirasato is a regional commercial center, and a bedroom community for the nearby metropolis of Chiba. Per the fiscal 2010 census, the commuting rate is 18.8% for Chiba and 11.7% for Tokyo.
Education
Ōamishirasato has seven public elementary schools and three public middle schools operated by the city government, and one public high school operated by the Chiba Prefectural Board of Education.
^Ishii, Sōseki, ed. (May 2012). 平成25年１月１日 大網白里市誕生に向けて [Toward the formation of the city of Ōamishirasato on Jan. 1, 2013] (PDF). Hōkoku Ōamishirasato (in Japanese) (541). Ōamishirasato-machi, Chiba Prefecture, Japan: Ōamishirasato-machi, Hissho Kōhōka, Kōhō Tōkeihan: 2. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
^新市へ５８年の歴史に幕 大網白里町で閉町式 [After 58 Years, a New City: a Ceremony for the Closing of the Town of Ōamishirasato]. Chiba Nippo (in Japanese). Chiba, Chiba Prefecture, Japan: Chiba Nippo Co., Ltd. 2012-12-29. Retrieved 2012-12-31.
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