Susaki, Kōchi

Susaki (須崎市, Susaki-shi) is a city located in Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. The city was founded on October 1, 1954.

Susaki 須崎市
City
Flag Seal
Location of Susaki in Kōchi Prefecture
Susaki Location in Japan
Coordinates: 33°23′33″N 133°17′35″E
Country	Japan
Region	Shikoku
Prefecture	Kōchi Prefecture
Government
• Mayor	Kosaku Kusunose (since February 2012)
Area
• Total	135.46 km^2 (52.30 sq mi)
Population  (March 31, 2017)
• Total	22,508
• Density	170/km^2 (430/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address	1-7 Yamate-machi, Susaki-shi, Kochi-ken 785-8601
Website	www.city.susaki.lg.jp
Symbols Bird Alcedo atthis Flower Prunus jamasakura Tree Cherry blossom

As of March 31, 2017, the city has an estimated population of 22‚508, with 10‚986 households,[1] and a population density of 170 persons per km². The total area is 135.46 km².

Susaki's official mascot is Shinjo-kun, a Japanese river otter wearing a hot pot ramen dish for a hat. Japanese river otter is an extinct variety of otter, that was last documented in the mouth of the Shinjo River in Susaki.[2][3]

Susaki Station

Susaki has hit the worldwide press due to an unofficial mascot, also an otter, named Chiitan. Chiitan is somewhat violent, but in a humorous way. John Oliver has an episode discussing the humor of Chiitan.[4] In May 2019, Chiitan was banned from Twitter for inflammatory content.[5] There is speculation that this disturbing but amusing content can help the city of Susaki, either by attracting tourists or because Japanese can donate a portion of their taxes to cities where they are not resident.[6]

References

1. "Official website of Susaki City" (in Japanese). Japan: Susaki City. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
2. "Nothing Hotter than an … otter?". Hyper Japan Festival.
3. "Profile – Shinjo-kun Official Website" (in Japanese).
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4fVdf4pNEc
5. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/17/world/asia/chiitan-mascot-john-oliver-japan.html
6. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/31/business/international/in-japan-you-get-a-tax-break-and-a-side-of-lobster-and-beef.html?module=inline

External links

• Susaki City official website (in Japanese)