Kōshi (合志市, Kōshi-shi) is a city in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 July 2024, the city had an estimated population of 65,054 in 26670 households, and a population density of 860 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the city is 53.19 km2 (20.54 sq mi)..[2]

Kōshi
合志市
Koshi City Hall
Koshi City Hall
Flag of Kōshi
Official seal of Kōshi
Map
Location of Kōshi in Kumamoto Prefecture
Location of Kōshi
Kōshi is located in Japan
Kōshi
Kōshi
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 32°53′09″N 130°47′23″E / 32.88583°N 130.78972°E / 32.88583; 130.78972
CountryJapan
RegionKyushu
PrefectureKumamoto
Government
 • MayorYoshiyuki Araki (since April 2010)
Area
 • Total
53.19 km2 (20.54 sq mi)
Population
 (July 31, 2024)
 • Total
65,054
 • Density1,200/km2 (3,200/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address2140 Takesako, Koshi-shi, Kumamoto-ken, 861-1195
WebsiteOfficial website
Symbols
FlowerGypsophila
TreeQuercus acutissima

Geography

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Kōshi is located in a northern inland part of Kumamoto Prefecture. The northern part of the city is one of the prefecture's leading grain-producing areas, with soils consisting of volcanic ash humus called "Kuroboku", which is the result of volcanic ash falling from Mount Aso. Residential and commercial areas are located along national and prefectural roads and the Kumamoto Electric Railway. A new urban area has also formed in the southwestern area adjacent to Kumamoto City, and the population is on the rise as a commuter town for Kumamoto City.

Neighboring municipalities

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Kumamoto Prefecture

Climate

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Kōshi has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Kōshi is 15.3 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1988 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.1 °C, and lowest in January, at around 4.6 °C.[3]

Demographics

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Per Japanese census data, the population of Kōshi is as shown below

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1940 13,036—    
1950 19,071+46.3%
1960 19,200+0.7%
1970 19,651+2.3%
1980 31,856+62.1%
1990 42,014+31.9%
2000 49,391+17.6%
2010 55,002+11.4%
2020 61,772+12.3%

History

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The area of Kōshi was part of ancient Higo Province, During the Edo Period it was part of the holdings of Kumamoto Domain. After the Meiji restoration, the villages of Kōshi and Nishikōshi was established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Kōshi was raised to town status on April 1, 1966 and Nishikōshi on October 1, 1966. On February 27, 2006 Kōshi and Nishikōshi merged to form the city of Kōshi. It was the 14th "Great Heisei Merger" in Kumamoto Prefecture.[4]

Government

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Kōshi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 19 members. Kōshi contributes two members to the Kumamoto Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Kumamoto 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

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Kōshi has amixed economy based on manufacturing of automotive parts and precision equipment, as well as agriculture

Education

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Kōshi has eight public elementary schools and four public junior high schools operated by the city government. The city does not have a high school. However, the Kumamoto Prefectural Board of Education operates three schools for the handicapped.

Transportation

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Railways

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  Kumamoto Electric Railway - Kikuchi Line

Highways

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Notable people from Kōshi

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References

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  1. ^ "Kōshi City official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
  2. ^ "熊本県 合志市|地域医療情報システム(日本医師会)". jmap.jp. Retrieved 2021-01-01.
  3. ^ Kōshi climate: Average Temperature, weather by month
  4. ^ "くま経 フォトレポート 西合志町と合志町が合併し、「合志市」が誕生". くまもと経済 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-01-01.
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