Morotsuka (諸塚村, Morotsuka-son) is a village in Higashiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan.[1] As of 1 October 2023, the village has an estimated population of 1360 in 601 households, and a population density of 9.8 persons per km². [2] The total area of the village is 187.56 square kilometres (72.42 sq mi).

Morotsuka
諸塚村
Morotsuka Village Hall
Morotsuka Village Hall
Flag of Morotsuka
Official seal of Morotsuka
Map
Location of Morotsuka in Miyazaki Prefecture
Location of Morotsuka
Morotsuka is located in Japan
Morotsuka
Morotsuka
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 32°30′44″N 131°19′49″E / 32.51222°N 131.33028°E / 32.51222; 131.33028
CountryJapan
RegionKyushu
PrefectureMiyazaki
DistrictHigashiusuki
Area
 • Total187.56 km2 (72.42 sq mi)
Population
 (October 1, 2023)
 • Total1,360
 • Density7.3/km2 (19/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address2683 Iashiro, Morotsuka-son, Higashiusuki-gun, Miyazaki-ken 883-1301
WebsiteOfficial website
Symbols
BirdJapanese white-eye
FlowerMountain cherry
TreeSawtooth oak
Route 327 in Morotsuka

Geography

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Morotsuka is located in northern Miyazaki Prefecture in the steep Kyushu Mountains. Approximately 90% of the village area is forest. Morotsuka has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall.

Neighbouring municipalities

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Miyazaki Prefecture

Demographics

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Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Morotsuka has declined in recent decades.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 5,327—    
1930 5,780+8.5%
1940 6,018+4.1%
1950 6,336+5.3%
1960 8,048+27.0%
1970 4,582−43.1%
1980 3,470−24.3%
1990 2,917−15.9%
2000 2,402−17.7%
2010 1,882−21.6%
2020 1,486−21.0%
Morotsuka population statistics[3]

History

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The area of Morotsuka was part of ancient Hyūga Province. During the Edo period, it was part of the holdings of Nobeoka Domain. The village of Morotsuka was established on April 1, 1889 within Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki with the creation of the modern municipalities system. The village was transferred to Higashiusuki District, Miyazaki in 1949.

Government

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Morotsuka has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral village council of eight members. Morotsuka, collectively with the village of Shiiba and towns of Misato and Kadogawa contributes one member to the Miyazaki Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the village is part of the Miyazaki 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

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Forestry and agriculture are the main industries, with the village noted for producing shiitake mushrooms, tea and miso.

Education

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Morotsuka has three public elementary schools and one public junior high school. The village does not have a high school.

Transportation

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The roads of Morotsuka were severely damaged by Typhoon Nanmadol in 2022.[4]

Railways

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Morotsuka has no passenger rail service. The nearest train station is Hyūgashi on the JR Kyushu Nippō Main Line

Highways

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References

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  1. ^ "諸塚村(もろつかそん) - 宮崎県移住・UIJターン情報サイト「あったか宮崎ひなた暮らし」". 宮崎県移住・UIJターン情報サイト「あったか宮崎ひなた暮らし」 - (in Japanese). 2021-12-03. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
  2. ^ "Morotsuka village official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
  3. ^ a b Morotsuka population statistics
  4. ^ YAMAGUCHI, MARI (2022-09-20). "Storm damages space center in Japan, 130K still lack power". seattlepi.com. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
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