Kihō (紀宝町, Kihō-chō) is a town located in Mie Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 April 2021[update], the town had an estimated population of 10,818 in 5,247 households and a population density of 140 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the town is 79.62 square kilometres (30.74 sq mi).
Kihō has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Kihō is 16.0 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2,596 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.8 °C, and lowest in January, at around 6.1 °C.[2]
Demographics
Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Kihō has remained relatively steady over the past 70 years.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1920
9,453
—
1930
8,577
−9.3%
1940
8,825
+2.9%
1950
11,546
+30.8%
1960
11,685
+1.2%
1970
10,899
−6.7%
1980
12,177
+11.7%
1990
12,919
+6.1%
2000
12,824
−0.7%
2010
11,897
−7.2%
History
The area of Kihō was part of the holdings of the Kii Tokugawa clan, administered as part of the Kii-Shingū Domain in the Edo period. After the Meiji restoration, the area was organized into the villages of Ida, Mifune, and Onodani within Minamimuro District of Mie Prefecture. The town of Kihō was established on October 31, 1951 by the merger of these three villages. On January 10, 2006, the village of Udono – which was part of the Minamimuro District until then – was merged into Kihō.
Government
Kihō has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 14 members. Kihō, collectively with the city of Kumano and town of Mihama, contributes two members to the Mie Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Mie 4th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
Kihō serves as a commercial center for the surrounding region. Hokuetsu Paper Mills is a major industrial employer.
Education
Kihō has seven public elementary schools and two public middle schools operated by the city government. The town does not have a high school.
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