Higashiagatsuma, Gunma

Higashiagatsuma (東吾妻町, Higashiagatsuma-machi) is a town located in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 July 2020, the town had an estimated population of 13,349 in 2467 households,[1] and a population density of 53 persons per km². The total area of the town is 253.91 square kilometres (98.04 sq mi).

Higashiagatsuma

東吾妻町
Town
Higashiagatsuma town office
Flag
Emblem
Location of Higashiagatsuma in Gunma Prefecture
Higashiagatsuma
 
Coordinates: 36°34′17″N 138°49′32″E
CountryJapan
RegionKantō
PrefectureGunma
DistrictAgatsuma
Area
 • Total253.91 km2 (98.04 sq mi)
Population
 (September 2020)
 • Total13,349
 • Density53/km2 (140/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- TreeKeyaki
- FlowerNarcissus (plant)
- BirdGreen pheasant
Phone number0279-68-2111
Address594-3 Haramachi, Higashiagatsuma-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma-ken 377-0892
WebsiteOfficial website
Mount Iwabitsu

Geography

Located in the northwestern portion of Gunma Prefecture, Higashiagatsuma is surrounded by high peaks, including Mount Iwabitsu (802.6 meters). The town hall is 619 meters above sea level.

  • Mountains: Mount Iwabitsu, Yakushidake, Sugamine
  • Rivers: Agatsuma River, Ishikami River
  • Lakes: Lake Haruna

Surrounding municipalities

Gunma Prefecture

Climate

Higashiagatsuma has a Humid continental climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Higashiagatsuma is 10.8 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1213 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 23.7 °C, and lowest in January, at around -1.4 °C.[2]

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Higashiagatsuma has declined steadily over the past 70 yearsand is now only half of what it was in 1950.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 19,164—    
1930 20,564+7.3%
1940 21,051+2.4%
1950 30,082+42.9%
1960 24,624−18.1%
1970 20,801−15.5%
1980 19,975−4.0%
1990 19,169−4.0%
2000 17,689−7.7%
2010 15,624−11.7%

History

During the Edo period, the area around Higashiagatsuma was part of the hatamoto-administered territory within Kōzuke Province.

With the creation of the modern municipalities system after the Meiji Restoration on April 1, 1889, the town of Hara and the villages of Ota, Iwasaki and Sananoue and Azuma were created within Agatsuma District of Gunma Prefecture. The first three villages merged into Hara in 1965, which was renamed Agatsuma Town in February 1956.

Higashiagatsuma was created on March 27, 2006 by the merger of the town of Agatsuma, and the village of Azuma, both from Agatsuma District.

Government

Higashiagatsuma has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 14 members. Higashiagatsuma collectively with the other municipalities in Agatsuma District, contributes two members to the Gunma Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Gunma 5th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The economy of Higashiagatsuma is heavily dependent on agriculture and seasonal tourism. Noted local crops include garlic and myoga production. Tourism from ski resorts and onsen hot springs also contribute to the local economy. Mount Ajara was a venue for the 2003 Asian Winter Games.

Education

Higashiagatsuma has five public elementary schools and five public middle schools operated by the town government, and one public high schools operated by the Gunma Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation

Railway

JR East – Agatsuma Line

Highway

Local attractions

References
  1. "Higashiagatsuma Town official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
  2. Higashiagatsuma climate data
  3. Higashiagatsuma population statistics

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