Yuza

Yuza (遊佐町, Yuza-machi) is a town located in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. As of 29 February 2020, the town had an estimated population of 13,615 in 4956 households,[1], and a population density of 65 persons per km². The total area of the town is 208.38 square kilometres (80 sq mi).

Yuza 遊佐町
Town
Sakae Bridge in Yuza
Flag Seal
Location of Yuza in Yamagata Prefecture
Yuza
Coordinates: 39°0′53.2″N 139°54′26.6″E
Country	Japan
Region	Tōhoku
Prefecture	Yamagata
District	Akumi
Area
• Total	208.39 km^2 (80.46 sq mi)
Population  (February 2020)
• Total	13,615
• Density	65/km^2 (170/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- Tree	Black Pine
- Flower	Arenaria
Phone number	0234-72-3311
Address	211 Banchi, Yuza Aze Maizuru, Yuza-machi, Akumi-gun, Yamagata-ken 999-8301
Website	www.town.yuza.yamagata.jp

Yuza town hall

Geography

Yuza is located in the extreme northwest of Yamagata Prefecture, bordering on Akita Prefecture to the north and the Japan Sea on the west. Part of the town is within the borders of the Chōkai Quasi-National Park, including a portion of Mount Chōkai itself.[2]

Neighboring municipalities

• Yamagata Prefecture
  • Sakata
• Akita Prefecture
  • Yurihonjō
  • Nikaho

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Yuza peaked around the year 1950 and has been declining steadily since. It is now less than it was a century ago.

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1920	18,863	—
1930	19,556	+3.7%
1940	19.596	−99.9%
1950	25,726	+131181.9%
1960	23,928	−7.0%
1970	21,224	−11.3%
1980	20,412	−3.8%
1990	19,705	−3.5%
2000	18,037	−8.5%
2010	15,485	−14.1%

Climate

Nakayama has a Humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is heaviest from August to October. The average annual temperature in Nakayama is 11.9 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1906 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 0.3 °C.[4]

History

The area of present-day Yuza was part of ancient Dewa Province. After the start of the Meiji period, the area became part of Akumi District, Yamagata Prefecture. The village of Yuza was established on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. It was elevated to town status on April 1, 1941. On August 1, 1954, it absorbed the neighboring villages of Inagawa, Nishi-Yuza, Warabioka, Fukura, and Takase. In 2003, it joined discussions with regards to a possible merger with the neighboring city of Sakata; however, the merger discussions were closed on October 6, 2004 with Yuza electing to remain independent.

Economy

The economy of Yuza is based on agriculture and commercial fishing.

Education

Yuza has five public elementary schools, one public middle school operated by the town government and one public high school operated by the Yamagata Prefectural Board f Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped.

Transportation

Railway

East Japan Railway Company - Uetsu Main Line

• Yuza - Fukura - Mega

Highway

• Nihonkai-Tōhoku Expressway – Yuza Interchange
• National Route 7
• National Route 345

Local attractions

• Jūroku Rakan Iwa
• Chokaizan Omoimi Jinja

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Japan

Twin towns — Sister cities

• Szolnok, Hungary[5]

Notes

1. Yuza Town official statistics (in Japanese)
2. "Natural Parks of Yamagata Prefecture" (PDF) (in Japanese). Yamagata Prefecture. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
3. Yuza population statistics
4. Yuzaclimate data
5. "Twinning relationships: Yuza (Japan)". Welcome to Szolnok. Szolnok city government. Retrieved 17 December 2015.

External links

• Official Website (in Japanese)