Motegi (茂木町, Motegi-machi) is a town located in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 August 2020[update], the town had an estimated population of 11,777 in 4503 households,[1] and a population density of 68 persons per km2. The total area of the town is 172.69 square kilometres (66.68 sq mi).
Motegi
茂木町 | |
|---|---|
 Motegi Town Office | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location of Motegi in Tochigi Prefecture | |
  Motegi | |
| Coordinates: 36°31′55.6″N 140°11′15.2″E / 36.532111°N 140.187556°E | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Kantō |
| Prefecture | Tochigi |
| District | Haga |
| Area | |
• Total | 172.69 km2 (66.68 sq mi) |
| Population (August 2020) | |
• Total | 11,777 |
| • Density | 68/km2 (180/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time) |
| - Tree | Zelkova serrata |
| - Flower | Kikyo |
| - Bird | Japanese bush warbler |
| Phone number | 0285-63-1111 |
| Address | Ōaza Motegi 155, Motegi-machi, Haga -gun, Tochigi-ken 321-3598 |
| Website | Official website |
Geography
editMotegi is located on the far eastern border of Tochigi Prefecture.
Surrounding municipalities
editClimate
editMotegi has a Humid continental climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Motegi is 13.1 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1410 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.1 °C, and lowest in January, at around 2.0 °C.[2]
Demographics
editPer Japanese census data,[3] the population of Motegi peaked in the 1950s and has declined steadily over the past 70 years. It is now less than half what it was a century ago.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 23,018 | — |
| 1930 | 23,896 | +3.8% |
| 1940 | 24,696 | +3.3% |
| 1950 | 30,973 | +25.4% |
| 1960 | 26,786 | −13.5% |
| 1970 | 21,978 | −17.9% |
| 1980 | 20,051 | −8.8% |
| 1990 | 18,934 | −5.6% |
| 2000 | 17,466 | −7.8% |
| 2010 | 15,023 | −14.0% |
| 2020 | 11,891 | −20.8% |
History
editThe town of Motegi, and the villages of Sakagawa, Nakagawa and Sudo were created within Haga District on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. The three villages were annexed by Motegi on August 1, 1954.
Government
editMotegi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 14 members. Motegi, together with the other municipalities in Haga District collectively contributes two members to the Tochigi Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Tochigi 4th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
editThis section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (August 2015) |
Education
editMotegi has four public primary schools and one public middle school operated by the town government. The town has one public high school operated by the Tochigi Prefectural Board of Education.
Transportation
editRailway
editHighway
edit
Local attractions
editMotegi is the site of the Mobility Resort Motegi, a complex built by Honda which hosts all types of car and go-cart racing, the Honda Collection Hall transport museum, a resort-style hotel, and the "Hello Woods" camping and nature area.
The Nissan Proving Grounds for testing off-road vehicles are also located in Motegi.
References
edit- ^ "Motegi Town official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
- ^ Motegi climate data
- ^ Motegi population statistics
External links
edit
Media related to Motegi, Tochigi at Wikimedia Commons- Official Website (in Japanese)
