Minamisatsuma

Minamisatsuma (南さつま市, Minamisatsuma-shi) is a city located in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. As of 30 June 2024^[update], the city had an estimated population of 31,397 in 16,779 households, and a population density of 110 persons per km². The total area of the city is 283.59 km² (109.49 sq mi).

Minamisatsuma is located at the southwestern tip of the Satsuma Peninsula, and faces the East China Sea. In the northwest of the city is Fukiagehama, one of the three largest sand dune areas in Japan, and in the southwest is a ria coast which is designated as a national scenic spot. Off the coast of the East China Sea are the uninhabited Uji Islands and Kusakaki Islands, which are within the city borders.

Kagoshima Prefecture

Minamisatsuma has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with hot summers and mild winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, and is heavier in summer, especially in June and July. The average annual temperature in Minamisatsuma is 18.0 °C (64.4 °F). The average annual rainfall is 2,454.0 mm (96.61 in) with June as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.9 °C (82.2 °F), and lowest in January, at around 8.3 °C (46.9 °F). Its record high is 36.4 °C (97.5 °F), reached on 14 August 2024, and its record low is −4.6 °C (23.7 °F), reached on 11 February 1996.

Per Japanese census data, the population of Minamisatsuma in 2020 is 32,887 people. Minamisatsuma has been conducting censuses since 1920. The city's population peaked in 1945 at more than 90,000 people; the city's population has steadily declined since then. Until 2020, the city's population is still showing no signs of picking up.

Minamisatsuma is part of ancient Satsuma Province and was part of the holdings of Satsuma Domain in the Edo period. The villages of Kaseda, Higashikaseda, Nishikaseda, and Seinangata in Kawabe District and Ata and Tabuse in Ata District were established on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. Kaseda was raised to town status on January 1, 1924. Higashikaseda became the town of Mansei on January 1, 1925. Nishikaseda (which had been renamed Kasasa in 1923) became the town Kasasa on November 10, 1940. It subsequent separated into Kasas and Oura towns on April 1, 1951. Kaseda and Mansei merged to form the city of Kaseda on July 15, 1954. Seinangata (which had been renamed Bozu in 1953) became the town of Bozu on November 1, 1955. Ata and Tabuse merged to form the town on Kinpo on September 30, 1956.

The city of Minamisatsuma was established on November 7, 2005, from the merger of the city of Kaseda, with the town of Kinpō (from Hioki District), and the towns of Bonotsu, Kasasa and Ōura (all from Kawanabe District).

Kaseda (加世田市, Kaseda-shi) was a city located in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. The city was founded on July 15, 1954. As of 2003, the city had an estimated population of 23,740 and the density of 251.56 persons per km². The total area was 94.37 km². On November 7, 2005, Kaseda, was merged to create Minamisatsuma and no longer exists as an independent municipality.