Shimojō, Nagano

Shimojō (下條村, Shimojō-mura) is a village located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 April 2019, the village had an estimated population of 3,748 in 1275 households, and a population density of 98 persons per km². The percentage of the population over 65 years old was 33.78%.[1] The total area of the village is 38.12 square kilometres (14.72 sq mi).

Shimojō

下條村
Village
Shimojō Village Hall
Flag
Seal
Location of Shimojō in Nagano Prefecture
Shimojō
 
Coordinates: 35°23′50.4″N 137°47′9.1″E
CountryJapan
RegionChūbu (Kōshin'etsu)
PrefectureNagano
DistrictShimoina
Area
 • Total38.12 km2 (14.72 sq mi)
Population
 (April 2019)
 • Total3,748
 • Density98/km2 (250/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Symbols 
• TreeAcer pycnanthum
• FlowerCosmos
Phone number0260-27-2311
Address8801-1 Mutsuzawa, Shimojō-mura, Shimoina-gun, Nagano-ken 399-2101
WebsiteOfficial website
Roadstation in Shimojō Village

Geography

Shimojō is located mountainous southern Nagano Prefecture.

Surrounding municipalities

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[2] the population of Shimojō has started to reverse decades of decline. Considered to be a "miracle village," the village of Shimojō has defied the declining birthrate noted in Japan as well increasing capital revenue by increasing worker efficiency. In 2003–2005, the village birthrate, "was 2.12...against the national average of 1.25 in 2005" while, "...personal expenses were cut by ¥450 million".[3] Reforms have thus allowed the village to grow without government subsidies due to its sufficient capital which has allowed the village, as village head Ito Kihei remarks, to offer, "places to enjoy...such facilities as a mobile library, a swimming pool and a culture hall [while] enriching the child-raising environment and assistance by making medical expenses free for children through junior high school."

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1940 5,447—    
1950 6,412+17.7%
1960 5,016−21.8%
1970 4,057−19.1%
1980 4,078+0.5%
1990 3,859−5.4%
2000 4,075+5.6%
2010 4,202+3.1%

Climate

The town has a climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and cold winters (Köppen climate classification Cfa). The average annual temperature in Shimojō is 12.6 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1857 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 24.6 °C, and lowest in January, at around -0.8 °C.[4]

History

The area of present-day Shimojō was part of ancient Shinano Province. The village of Shimojō was established on April 1, 1889 with the establishment of the modern municipalities system.

Economy

The economy of Shimojō is primarily agricultural. Principal crops include buckwheat, pears, apples and dried persimmons.

Education

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

Transportation

Railway
  • The village does not have any passenger railway service

Highway

References
  1. Shimojō Village official statistics(in Japanese)
  2. Shimojō population statistics
  3. Kohei, Yano. "'Another Road' Shown by Small Villages - Ooshika & Shimojo in Nagano Pref." Japan Spotlight: Economy, Culture & History. (2007).
  4. Shimojō climate data


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