Yoshioka (吉岡町, Yoshioka-machi) is a town located in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 September 2020[update], the town had an estimated population of 21,749 in 8,311 households,[1] and a population density of 1100 persons per km2. The total area of the town is 20.46 square kilometres (7.90 sq mi).
Yoshioka
吉岡町 | |
|---|---|
 Yoshioka town office | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location of Yoshioka in Gunma Prefecture | |
  Yoshioka | |
| Coordinates: 36°26′50.8″N 139°0′34.9″E / 36.447444°N 139.009694°E | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Kantō |
| Prefecture | Gunma |
| District | Kitagunma |
| Area | |
| • Total | 20.46 km2 (7.90 sq mi) |
| Population (September 2020) | |
| • Total | 21,749 |
| • Density | 1,100/km2 (2,800/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time) |
| - Tree | Ginkgo biloba |
| - Flower | Chrysanthemum |
| - Bird | Skylark |
| Phone number | 0279-54-3111 |
| Address | 560 Shimonoda, Yoshioka-machi, Kitagunma-gun, Gunma-ken 370-3692 |
| Website | Official website |
Geography
editLocated in central Gunma, Yoshioka sits between the southeastern slopes of Mount Haruna and the Tone River region. The western half of the town has an elevation between 200 and 900 meters, while the eastern half is mostly flat, with an elevation between 100 and 200 meters.
Surrounding municipalities
editClimate
editYoshioka has a Humid continental climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Yoshioka is 13.8 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1281 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 2.4 °C.[2]
Demographics
editPer Japanese census data,[3] the population of Yoshioka has increased steadily over the past 60 years.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 7,785 | — |
| 1930 | 8,143 | +4.6% |
| 1940 | 8,390 | +3.0% |
| 1950 | 10,081 | +20.2% |
| 1960 | 9,231 | −8.4% |
| 1970 | 9,432 | +2.2% |
| 1980 | 11,501 | +21.9% |
| 1990 | 13,672 | +18.9% |
| 2000 | 16,504 | +20.7% |
| 2010 | 19,801 | +20.0% |
| 2020 | 21,792 | +10.1% |
History
editKomayose village and Meiji village were established within Nishigunma District, Gunma Prefecture on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system after the Meiji Restoration. In 1896, Nishigunma District was united with Kataoka District to create Gunma District, which was subsequently divided in 1949 with Komayose and Meiji villages becoming part of Kitagunma District. On April 1, 1955 the two villages were merged to form Yoshioka village, which was elevated to town status on April 1, 1991.
Government
editYoshioka has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 14 members. Yoshioka and neighboring Shintō contribute one member to the Gunma Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Gunma 5th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
editYoshioka is largely a commuter town, with over 44% of the workforce commuting to nearby Maebashi.
Education
editYoshioka has two public elementary schools and one public middle school operated by the town government. The town does not have a high school.
Transportation
editRailway
editYoshioka is not served by any railway services. The nearest stations are Yagihara in the city of Shibukawa to the north and Gumma-Sōja in the city of Maebashi to the south.
Highway
edit
Kan-etsu Expressway – Komayose PA, Komayose IC
National Route 17 – Maebashi-Shibukawa Bypass
References
edit- ^ "Yoshioka Town official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
- ^ Yoshioka climate data
- ^ Yoshioka population statistics
External links
edit
Media related to Yoshioka, Gunma at Wikimedia Commons
- Official Website (in Japanese)