Setouchi (瀬戸内町, Setouchi-chō) is a town located primarily on Amami Ōshima, in Ōshima District, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.

Setouchi
瀬戸内町
Central Koniya Port
Central Koniya Port
Flag of Setouchi
Official seal of Setouchi
Location of Setouchi in Kagoshima Prefecture
Location of Setouchi in Kagoshima Prefecture
Setouchi is located in Japan
Setouchi
Setouchi
 
Coordinates: 28°16′31″N 129°15′48″E / 28.27528°N 129.26333°E / 28.27528; 129.26333
CountryJapan
RegionKyushu (Amami Islands)
PrefectureKagoshima Prefecture
DistrictŌshima
Government
 • -MayorKatsuomi Fusa
Area
 • Total239.92 km2 (92.63 sq mi)
Population
 (October 1, 2020)
 • Total8,546
 • Density35.62/km2 (92.3/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Phone number0997-72-1111
Address23, Koniya aza Funatsu, Setouchi-chō, Kagoshima-ken 894-1592
ClimateCfa
Websitewww.amami-setouchi.org
Symbols
FlowerHibiscus
TreeBanyan and sago cycad

As of 1 October 2020, the town had an estimated population of 8,546 and a population density of 35.62 persons per km². The total area was 239.91 km².

Geography

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Setouchi occupies the southern portion of Amami Ōshima, facing the East China Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It also includes numerous offshore islands of Amami Ōshima, including the inhabited islands of Kakeromajima, Ukejima and Yoroshima.

Climate

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The climate is classified as humid subtropical (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with very warm summers and mild winters. Precipitation is high throughout the year, but is highest in the months of May, June and September. The area is subject to frequent typhoons.

Climate data for Port Koniya (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1977−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 26.4
(79.5)
24.7
(76.5)
26.7
(80.1)
27.7
(81.9)
30.1
(86.2)
33.0
(91.4)
34.1
(93.4)
34.4
(93.9)
33.3
(91.9)
31.8
(89.2)
29.2
(84.6)
27.0
(80.6)
34.4
(93.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 18.1
(64.6)
18.5
(65.3)
20.3
(68.5)
22.7
(72.9)
25.6
(78.1)
28.3
(82.9)
31.0
(87.8)
31.3
(88.3)
30.2
(86.4)
27.4
(81.3)
23.8
(74.8)
20.0
(68.0)
24.8
(76.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 15.3
(59.5)
15.6
(60.1)
17.4
(63.3)
19.9
(67.8)
22.8
(73.0)
25.8
(78.4)
28.4
(83.1)
28.5
(83.3)
27.3
(81.1)
24.4
(75.9)
21.0
(69.8)
17.2
(63.0)
22.0
(71.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 12.5
(54.5)
12.7
(54.9)
14.5
(58.1)
17.0
(62.6)
20.2
(68.4)
23.8
(74.8)
26.3
(79.3)
26.3
(79.3)
24.9
(76.8)
21.8
(71.2)
18.3
(64.9)
14.4
(57.9)
19.4
(66.9)
Record low °C (°F) 4.6
(40.3)
5.7
(42.3)
4.8
(40.6)
6.8
(44.2)
13.4
(56.1)
16.7
(62.1)
20.6
(69.1)
21.4
(70.5)
18.2
(64.8)
14.7
(58.5)
10.5
(50.9)
6.4
(43.5)
4.6
(40.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 123.4
(4.86)
116.4
(4.58)
170.3
(6.70)
192.7
(7.59)
237.7
(9.36)
395.9
(15.59)
180.0
(7.09)
248.2
(9.77)
273.4
(10.76)
194.6
(7.66)
133.1
(5.24)
102.3
(4.03)
2,375.2
(93.51)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 12.4 11.4 13.4 12.4 13.2 14.6 10.3 13.4 13.5 10.7 9.3 11.1 145.7
Mean monthly sunshine hours 83.0 79.6 104.1 118.6 124.4 98.1 186.3 186.3 152.4 147.7 121.9 93.8 1,492.8
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[1][2]

Surrounding municipalities

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History

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Higashikata Village was established on April 1, 1908. It became the town of Koniya on April 1, 1936. As with all of the Amami Islands, the village came under the administration of the United States from July 1, 1946 to December 25, 1953. On September 1, 1956 Koniya merged with three neighboring villages to form the town of Setouchi.

Economy

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The town economy is primarily based on agriculture, with sugar cane and citrus horticulture as the main crops. Industries include shochu refining and commercial fishing.

Transportation

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Ports

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  • Koniya Port, with ferry connections to Kagoshima and to the other Amami islands.

Highway

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Noted people from Setouchi

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References

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  1. ^ 観測史上1~10位の値(年間を通じての値). JMA. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  2. ^ 気象庁 / 平年値(年・月ごとの値). JMA. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
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  Media related to Setouchi, Kagoshima at Wikimedia Commons