Kōnan (香南市, Kōnan-shi) is a city located in Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. As of 30 June 2022, the city had an estimated population of 33,076 in 15350 households and a population density of 49 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the city is 126.46 square kilometres (48.83 sq mi).

Kōnan
香南市
Kōnan City Hall
Kōnan City Hall
Flag of Kōnan
Official seal of Kōnan
Map
Location of Kōnan in Kōchi Prefecture
Location of Kōnan
Kōnan is located in Japan
Kōnan
Kōnan
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 33°34′N 133°42′E / 33.567°N 133.700°E / 33.567; 133.700
CountryJapan
RegionShikoku
PrefectureKōchi
Area
 • Total126.46 km2 (48.83 sq mi)
Population
 (30 June 2022)
 • Total33,076
 • Density260/km2 (680/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address2706 Nishino, Noichichō, Kōnan-shi, Kōchi-ken 781-5232
Websitewww.city.kochi-konan.lg.jp
Aerial photograph of central Kōnan

Geography

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Kōnan is located in southeastern Kōchi Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. It faces Tosa Bay on the Pacific Ocean to the south.

Neighbouring municipalities

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Kōchi Prefecture

Climate

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Kōnan has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light snowfall. The average annual temperature in Kōnan is 15.2 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2190 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in Kitagawa, at around 25.5 °C, and lowest in January, at around 4.9 °C.[2]

Demographics

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Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Kōnan declined by roughly 25 percent from 1950 to 1970 but subsequently rebounded, peaking again around 2010.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1950 35,987—    
1960 30,429−15.4%
1970 26,570−12.7%
1980 28,493+7.2%
1990 30,664+7.6%
2000 32,639+6.4%
2010 33,830+3.6%
2020 32,207−4.8%

History

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As with all of Kōchi Prefecture, the area of Kōnan was part of ancient Tosa Province. During the Edo period, the area was part of the holdings of Tosa Domain ruled by the Yamauchi clan from their seat at Kōchi Castle. The area was organized into villages within Kami District with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Akaoka was raised to town status on February 15, 1899, followed by Noichi on February 1, 1926, Yasu on January 1, 1943, and Kagami on April 1, 1955. The city of Kōnan was created by the merger of these four towns and the village of Yoshikawa on March 1, 2006. On the same day, the remaining municipalities of Kami District merged to form the city of Kami, and the district was abolished as a result.

Government

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Kōnan has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 22 members. Kōnan contributes two members to the Kōchi Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the village is part of Kōchi 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

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Kōnan economy is centered on agriculture.

Education

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Kōnan has seven public elementary schools and four public middle schools operated by the city government, and one public high school operated by the Kōchi Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation

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Railway

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Tosa Kuroshio Railway - Asa Line

Highways

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Local attractions

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Heritage sites

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Notable temples

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Notable shrines

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  • Suruda Hachimangu Shrine

Tourist sites

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Natural properties

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  • Tenshin Great Cedar (National Natural Monument])

Cultural buildings

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Other sites

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Festivals and events

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Notable people from Kōnan

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References

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  1. ^ "Kōnan city official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
  2. ^ Kōnan climate data
  3. ^ Kōnan population statistics
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