Uto (宇土市, Uto-shi) is a city located in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 July 2024[update], the city had an estimated population of 36,149 in 16127 households, and a population density of 490 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the city is 74.30 km2 (28.69 sq mi).
Geography
Uto occupies the northern half of the Uto Peninsula and is bordered on the northwest by the Ariake Sea.
Uto has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Uto is 16.0 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2128 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.5 °C, and lowest in January, at around 5.5 °C.[2]
Demographics
Per Japanese census data, the population of Uto is as shown below
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1950
33,412
—
1960
33,057
−1.1%
1970
31,327
−5.2%
1980
32,954
+5.2%
1990
33,390
+1.3%
2000
37,255
+11.6%
2010
37,727
+1.3%
2020
36,122
−4.3%
History
The area of Uto was part of ancient Higo Province, During the Edo Period it was part of the holdings of Kumamoto Domain. After the Meiji restoration, the town of Uto was established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Uto annexed the neighboring village of Hanazono, Todoroki, Midorikawa, Amizu and Hashiragata in 1954. On October 1, 1958 Uto merged with the village Amida and was raised to city status.
Government
Uto has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 18 members. Uto contributes one member to the Kumamoto Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Kumamoto 4th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
Agriculture - Fruit cultivation is popular, taking advantage of the warm climate. Navel oranges, dekopon, and Andean melons are local specialties.
Fisheries - Nori farming is popular in the Ariake Sea. Asari clams are also a local speciality.
Manufacturing - In addition to the food processing industry, there are also chemical and steel industries.
Papier-mache is a traditional craft that is a local specialty.
Education
Uto has seven public elementary schools and four public junior high schools operated by the city government and one public high school operated by the Kumamoto Prefectural Board of Education.
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