Tsunagi has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Tsunagi is 16.2 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2213 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.4 °C, and lowest in January, at around 5.9 °C.[2]
Demographics
Per Japanese census data, the population of Tsunagi is as shown below
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1940
6,653
—
1950
9,303
+39.8%
1960
8,406
−9.6%
1970
6,355
−24.4%
1980
6,053
−4.8%
1990
5,783
−4.5%
2000
5,741
−0.7%
2010
5,062
−11.8%
2020
4,254
−16.0%
History
The area of Tsunagi was part of ancient Higo Province. The town name "Tsunaki" is said to have originated from the legend that when Emperor Keikō conquered Kyushu, he "tied" his ships here. During the Edo Period it was part of the holdings of Kumamoto Domain. After the Meiji restoration, the village of Tsunagi was established in Ashikita District, Kumamoto with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. On April, 1963, Tsunagi was elevated to town status.
Residents of Tsunagi were among those affected by Minamata disease.[3] There is also a tradition of biwa-playing in Tsunagi.[4]
Government
Tsunagi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of ten members. Tsunagi, together with the town of Ashikita contributes one member to the Kumamoto Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of the Kumamoto 4th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
The economy of Tsunagi is mainly agriculture and commercial fishing. The Tsunagi Industrial Park and Kuratani Industrial Park have been developed within the town, and efforts are being made to attract manufacturing businesses.
Education
Tsunagi has one public elementary school and one public junior high school operated by the town government. The town does not have a high school.
