Sukagawa 須賀川市 | |
|---|---|
 Skyline of Sukagawa | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location of Sukagawa in Fukushima Prefecture | |
  Sukagawa | |
| Coordinates:37°17′11.3″N140°22′21.6″E / 37.286472°N 140.372667°E /37.286472; 140.372667 | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Tōhoku |
| Prefecture | Fukushima |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Masaaki Ōdera |
| Area | |
• Total | 279.43 km2 (107.89 sq mi) |
| Population (January 2020) | |
• Total | 75,753 |
| • Density | 271.10/km2 (702.14/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time) |
| City symbols | |
| • Tree | Pinus densiflora |
| • Flower | Peony |
| • Bird | Common kingfisher |
| Phone number | 0248-75-1111 |
| Address | 135 Hachimanmachi, Sukagawa-shi, Fukushima-ken 962-8601 |
| Website | Official website |
Sukagawa (須賀川市,Sukagawa-shi) is acity located inFukushima Prefecture,Japan. As of 1 May 2018[update], the city had an estimatedpopulation of 76,251 in 38824 households,[1] and apopulation density of 270 persons per km2. The total area of the city was 279.43 square kilometres (107.9 sq mi).
The area of present-day Sukagawa was part of ancientMutsu Province. Remains from theJapanese Paleolithic through theNara period andHeian period indicate continuous settlement of the area for many centuries. Sukagawa developed as acastle town of theNikaido clan during theKamakura period. The castle was destroyed byDate Masamune after his auntOnamihime surrendered the castle during theSengoku period. During theEdo period the area prospered from its location as a majorlodging place onŌshū Kaidō, which is one of theEdo Five Routes, and was the commercial center in the region. The area was mostly administered as an exclave ofTakada Domain under theTokugawa Shogunate. After theMeiji restoration, it was organized as part ofthe Nakadōri region ofIwaki Province.
The village of Sukagawa was formed on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. However, after mid-Meiji period, the municipality was eclipsed byKōriyama, which had succeeded in inviting the junction ofWest Ban'etsu Line with theTōhoku Main Line train routes. On March 31, 1954, Sukagawa was elevated to city status after merging with the town of Hamada and villages of Nishibukuro and Inada (all fromIwase District), and the village of Oshioe (fromIshikawa District). Later, Sukagawa absorbed Niida Village (from Iwase District) on March 10, 1955, and then absorbed Ohigashi Village (from Ishikawa District) on February 1, 1967. On April 1, 2005, Sukagawa absorbed the town ofNaganuma and villageIwase (both from Iwase District).
After theearthquake of 2011, theFujinuma Dam collapsed resulting in seven fatalities. See alsoRadiation effects from Fukushima I nuclear accidents.
Sukagawa is located in central Fukushima prefecture.
Sukagawa has ahumid climate (Köppen climate classificationCfa). The average annual temperature in Sukagawa is 11.8 °C (53.2 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,261 mm (49.6 in) with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 24.6 °C (76.3 °F), and lowest in January, at around 0.1 °C (32.2 °F).[2]
Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Sukagawa peaked around the year 2000 and has declined slightly since then.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 45,838 | — |
| 1930 | 52,045 | +13.5% |
| 1940 | 54,077 | +3.9% |
| 1950 | 71,947 | +33.0% |
| 1960 | 69,768 | −3.0% |
| 1970 | 66,552 | −4.6% |
| 1980 | 69,553 | +4.5% |
| 1990 | 73,107 | +5.1% |
| 2000 | 79,409 | +8.6% |
| 2010 | 79,279 | −0.2% |
| 2020 | 75,753 | −4.4% |
Sukagawa has a mixed economy, and is a major commercial center for the surrounding region.
Sulagawa has amayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and aunicameral city legislature of 23 members. Tamura, together withTamura District contributes three members to the Fukushima Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part ofFukushima 3rd district of thelower house of theDiet of Japan.
Sukagawa has 17 public elementary schools and ten public junior high schools operated by the city government. The city has five public high schools operated by the Fukushima Prefectural Board of Education.
Tōhoku Expressway – Sukagawa Interchange
National Route 4
National Route 118
National Route 294Fukushima Airport is located on the border of Sukagawa City and Tamagawa Village. It is notable for an array ofUltraman displays in honor of franchise creatorEiji Tsuburaya, whose hometown was Sukagawa. The airport houses the first Ultraman store in the Tohoku region.[4]
Luoyang, China, friendship city since August 1983
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