Okushiri, Hokkaido

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Okushiri
奥尻町
Town
Location of Okushiri in Hokkaido (Hiyama Subprefecture)
Location of Okushiri in Hokkaido (Hiyama Subprefecture)
Okushiri is located in Japan
Okushiri
Okushiri
Location in Japan
Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Country Japan
Region Hokkaido
Prefecture Hokkaido (Hiyama Subprefecture)
District Okushiri District, Hokkaido
Government
 • Mayor Takumi Shimmura
Area
 • Total 142.98 km2 (55.20 sq mi)
Population (March 2008)
 • Total 3,442
 • Density 24/km2 (62/sq mi)
Symbols
 • Tree Japanese Yew
 • Flower Rugosa Rose
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City Hall Address 806 Okushiri, Okushiri-chō, Okushiri-gun, Hokkaidō
043-1498
Website www.town.okushiri.lg.jp

Okushiri (奥尻町 Okushiri-chō?) is a town encompassing all of Okushiri Island, located in Okushiri District, Hiyama Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.

As of 2008, the town has an estimated population of 3,442 and a density of 24.5 persons per km². The total area is 142.98 km².

Hiyama Prefectural Natural Park encompasses the entire island and town.

History

On July 12, 1993,[1] the Southwest Hokkaido Open Sea earthquake (北海道南西沖地震) of magnitude 7.8[1] in the Sea of Japan off southwest Hokkaido created a devastating tsunami. This tsunami killed 198.[1] people in the town, despite a tsunami warning system and Seawall, and also caused landslides on the hills above. Another 32 people were missing, including 3 in Russia and 129 were injured. The subsequent fire burned down much of what remained. The island was reshaped by the tsunami, which was 10 meters high in town. The tsunami struck within five minutes of the earthquake, leaving residents absolutely no warning.

The name Okushiri comes from the Ainu name Ikusyun-shiri. Iku means other side and shiri means island.[2]

  • 1906 The village of Okushiri was founded.
  • 1966 Okushiri Village became Okushiri Town.
  • 1993 Southwest Hokkaido Open Sea earthquake occurred.

Sister city

Transportation

Okushiri Airport serves the island.

Education

  • High school
    • Hokkaido Okushiri High School[4]
  • Junior high school
    • Okushiri Junior High School
    • Aonae Junior High School
  • Elementary school
    • Okushiri Elementary School
    • Aonae Elementary School

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. Okushiri:Links
  4. Hokkaido Okushiri High School

External links


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