Kazamaura (風間浦村, Kazamaura-mura) is a village located in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. As of 28 February 2023[update], the village had an estimated population of 1,673 in 864 households, and a population density of 24 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the village is 69.55 square kilometres (26.85 sq mi).[2]
Geography
The northernmost municipality on Honshū island, Kazamaura is on the northwestern shore of Shimokita Peninsula. It is separated from the island of Hokkaidō by the Tsugaru Strait. Most of the village is part of the Osoreyama Mountain Range, resulting in little flat land. The Ikokuma River flows through the village. Approximately 96% of the total area of the village is covered by forests.[3] Much of the village is within the borders of the Shimokita Hantō Quasi-National Park.
The village has a cold oceanic climate characterized by cool short summers and long cold winters with heavy snowfall and strong winds. (Köppen climate classificationCfb). The average annual temperature in Kazamaura is 8.7 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1259 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 21.5 °C, and lowest in January, at around -2.9 °C.[4]
Demographics
Per Japanese census data,[5] the population of Kazamaura has declined over the past 60 years, and is now half of what it was a century ago.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±% p.a.
1920
3,679
—
1930
4,346
+1.68%
1940
4,237
−0.25%
1950
4,775
+1.20%
1960
4,945
+0.35%
1970
4,243
−1.52%
1980
3,917
−0.80%
1990
3,295
−1.71%
2000
2,793
−1.64%
2010
2,465
−1.24%
2020
1,833
−2.92%
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History
Kazamaura was founded with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889 through the merger of the three hamlets of Shimofuro (下風呂村), Ikokuma (易国間), and Hebiurakani (蛇浦簡易), with the new village taking one kanji from the names of its components to form "Kazamaura".
Government
Kazamaura has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral village council of eight members. Sai 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 city is part of Aomori 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
