Aizubange (会津坂下町, Aizubange-machi) is a town located in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 April 2020, the town had an estimated population of 15,159 in 5487 households,[1] and a population density of 170 persons per km2. The total area of the town was 91.59 square kilometres (35.36 sq mi).

Aizubange
会津坂下町
Aizubange Town Hall
Aizubange Town Hall
Flag of Aizubange
Official seal of Aizubange
Location of Aizubange in Fukushima Prefecture
Location of Aizubange in Fukushima Prefecture
Aizubange is located in Japan
Aizubange
Aizubange
 
Coordinates: 37°33′41.3″N 139°49′17.9″E / 37.561472°N 139.821639°E / 37.561472; 139.821639
CountryJapan
RegionTōhoku
PrefectureFukushima
DistrictKawanuma
Area
 • Total91.59 km2 (35.36 sq mi)
Population
 (April 2020)
 • Total15,159
 • Density170/km2 (430/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Symbols 
• TreeSakura
• FlowerChrysanthemum
• BirdJapanese bush warbler
Phone number0242-84-1503
Address3662 Sanban-ko Ichinaka, Aizubange-machi, Kawanuma-gun, Fukushima-ken 969-6547
WebsiteOfficial website
Eryū-ji temple in Aizubange

Geography

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Aizubange is located in the northern portion of the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture in the western part of Aizu Basin. The basin extends from the center of the town to the east and is relatively flat, with many paddy fields. On the other hand, the western part of the town has many forests. The Aga River flows from the east to the north of the town, and the Tadami River flows to the west.

Neighboring municipalities

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Fukushima Prefecture

Climate

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Aizubange has a Humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Aizubange is 11.6 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1399 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.2 °C, and lowest in January, at around -1.2 °C.[2]

Demographics

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Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Aizubange has declined steadily over the past 60 years.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1960 25,867—    
1970 21,720−16.0%
1980 20,504−5.6%
1990 20,332−0.8%
2000 19,426−4.5%
2010 17,262−11.1%
2020 15,068−12.7%

History

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The area of present-day Aizubange was part of ancient Mutsu Province. The area formed part of the holdings of Aizu Domain during the Edo period. After the Meiji Restoration, the area was organized as part of Kawanuma District. Fukushima Prefecture. The town of Bange was established on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. The town of Aizubange was founded on April 1, 1955, by the merger of the town of Bange with the Wakamiya, Kanagami, Hirose, Kawanishi and Yawata.

Economy

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The economy of Aizubange is centered on the production of rice, with much of the town area under paddy fields.

Education

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Aizubange has two public elementary schools and one public junior high school operated by the town government. The town has two public high schools operated by the Fukushima Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation

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Railway

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  JR EastTadami Line

Highway

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Local attractions

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Noted people from Aizubange

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References

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  1. ^ "Aizu Bange Town official home page" (in Japanese). Japan.
  2. ^ Aizubange climate data
  3. ^ Aizubange population statistics
  4. ^ "陣が峯城跡". Cultural Heritage Online (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  5. ^ "亀ヶ森・鎮守森古墳" [Kamegamori-Chinjumori Kofun] (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs.
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