Yokohama (横浜, Yokohama-machi) is a town located in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 March 2023, the town had an estimated population of 4,258 in 2134 households, and a population density of 33 persons per km2, in 1,779 households.[1] The total area of the town is 126.38 square kilometres (48.80 sq mi).

Yokohama
横浜町
Windpower farm in Yokohama
Windpower farm in Yokohama
Flag of Yokohama
Official seal of Yokohama
Map
Location of Yokohama in Aomori Prefecture
Location of Yokohama
Yokohama is located in Japan
Yokohama
Yokohama
 
Coordinates: 41°04′59.3″N 141°14′52.1″E / 41.083139°N 141.247806°E / 41.083139; 141.247806
CountryJapan
RegionTōhoku
PrefectureAomori Prefecture
DistrictKamikita
Area
 • Total126.38 km2 (48.80 sq mi)
Population
 (March 1, 2023)
 • Total4,258
 • Density34/km2 (87/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Phone number0175-78-2111
AddressTeranoshita 35, Yokohama-machi, Kitakami-gun, Aomori-ken 039-4145
WebsiteOfficial website
Symbols
BirdPlover
FishSea cucumber
FlowerRapeseed
TreeKeyaki
Yokohama Town Hall

Geography edit

Yokohama occupies the northeastern coastline of Mutsu Bay, at the entrance to Shimokita Peninsula.

Neighbouring municipalities edit

Aomori Prefecture

Climate edit

The town has a cold maritime climate characterized by cool short summers and long cold winters with heavy snowfall (Köppen climate classification Cfb). The average annual temperature in Yokohama is 9.1 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1262 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 21.9 °C, and lowest in January, at around -2.6 °C.[2]

Demographics edit

Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Yokohama has declined over the past 60 years.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1920 3,316—    
1930 4,173+2.33%
1940 5,016+1.86%
1950 7,068+3.49%
1960 7,742+0.91%
1970 7,144−0.80%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1980 6,590−0.80%
1990 6,126−0.73%
2000 5,508−1.06%
2010 4,880−1.20%
2020 4,229−1.42%

History edit

Finds of Jōmon pottery indicate that the area of Yokohama was inhabited for many thousands of years. The place name of "Yokohama" predates its more famous namesake in Kanagawa Prefecture, and can be found in Nanboku-chō period documents. The area around Yokohama was controlled by the Nambu clan from the Kamakura period and was part of Morioka Domain during the Edo period. During the post-Meiji restoration establishment of the modern municipalities system on 1 April 1889, it was proclaimed to be a village. Yokohama was elevated to town status on April 1, 1958.

Government edit

Yokohama has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of ten members. Yokohama is part of Shimokita District which, together with the city of Mutsu, contributes three members to the Aomori Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Aomori 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy edit

The economy of Yokohama was traditionally heavily dependent on commercial fishing in Mutsu Bay, primarily for sea cucumber, the local specialty, as well as sea urchin roe and scallops. With regards to agriculture, rapeseed and potato farming predominates. Electrical power production via wind farms also contributes to the local economy.

Education edit

Yokohama has one public elementary school and one public middle school operated by the town government. The town does not have a high school.

Transportation edit

Railway edit

  East Japan Railway Company (JR East) - Ōminato Line

Highway edit

Noted people from Yokohama edit

References edit

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

External links edit

  Media related to Yokohama, Aomori at Wikimedia Commons