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Chōshi

Coordinates: 35°44′4.7″N 140°49′36.4″E / 35.734639°N 140.826778°E / 35.734639; 140.826778
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Chōshi
銚子市
Aerial view of Chōshi
Aerial view of Chōshi
Flag of Chōshi
Official seal of Chōshi
Location of Chōshi in Chiba Prefecture
Location of Chōshi in Chiba Prefecture
Chōshi is located in Japan
Chōshi
Chōshi
 
Coordinates: 35°44′4.7″N 140°49′36.4″E / 35.734639°N 140.826778°E / 35.734639; 140.826778
CountryJapan
RegionKanto
PrefectureChiba Prefecture
Government
 • MayorShinichi Koshikawa (since 17 May 2013)
Area
 • Total
84.19 km2 (32.51 sq mi)
Population
 (February 1, 2016)
 • Total
64,079
 • Density761/km2 (1,970/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- TreeSazanka
- FlowerŌmatsuyoigusa (Oenothera erythrosepala)
- FishSardine
Phone number0479-24-8181
Address1-1 Wakamiyachō, Chōshi-shi, Chiba-ken 288-8601
Websitehttp://www.city.choshi.chiba.jp/
Chōshi City Hall

Chōshi (銚子市, Chōshi-shi) is a city located in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of February 1, 2016, the city has an estimated population of 64,097, and a population density of 813 persons per km². The total area is 84.19 km2 (32.5 sq mi).[1]

Geography

Chōshi is the easternmost city in the Greater Tokyo Area, and Cape Inubō, within the city, is the easternmost point in the Kantō region. Chōshi is noted for its dramatic sea coast.[2]

Neighboring municipalities

Chiba Prefecture

Ibaraki Prefecture

Climate

Chōshi has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with very warm summers and cool winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, although the winter months are slightly drier.

Climate data for Chōshi, Chiba
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 9.9
(49.8)
9.8
(49.6)
11.8
(53.2)
16.1
(61.0)
19.8
(67.6)
22.2
(72.0)
25.4
(77.7)
27.9
(82.2)
25.2
(77.4)
20.8
(69.4)
16.8
(62.2)
12.4
(54.3)
18.2
(64.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) 5.8
(42.4)
6.1
(43.0)
8.5
(47.3)
13.0
(55.4)
16.8
(62.2)
19.4
(66.9)
22.6
(72.7)
24.9
(76.8)
22.7
(72.9)
18.2
(64.8)
13.6
(56.5)
8.6
(47.5)
15.0
(59.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 1.7
(35.1)
2.5
(36.5)
5.1
(41.2)
10.0
(50.0)
14.1
(57.4)
17.1
(62.8)
20.5
(68.9)
22.8
(73.0)
20.7
(69.3)
15.5
(59.9)
10.1
(50.2)
4.6
(40.3)
12.1
(53.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 78.7
(3.10)
96.9
(3.81)
128.5
(5.06)
128.4
(5.06)
141.0
(5.55)
173.5
(6.83)
100.9
(3.97)
107.7
(4.24)
186.0
(7.32)
216.8
(8.54)
122.7
(4.83)
76.5
(3.01)
1,557.6
(61.32)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 0
(0)
1
(0.4)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
1
(0.4)
Average relative humidity (%) 60 62 66 75 80 87 89 86 82 74 69 64 75
Mean monthly sunshine hours 166.6 144.0 163.0 165.9 188.1 137.5 163.0 215.3 141.8 133.8 132.1 159.9 1,911
Source: NOAA (1961-1990) [3]

History

An 18th century block print showing bonito fishing in Choshi Bay

The commercial fishing and soy sauce industries were developed in Chōshi by the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period (1603 – 1868). Their development continued in the early industrialization of Japan in the Meiji period (1868 – 1912). Noted soy sauce producer Yamasa Corporation was incorporated in 1928, and Higeta Corporation in 1932. Chōshi was elevated to city status on February 11, 1933.[4] Chōshi was a center of industrial unrest in the early 20th century; there were numerous strikes and labor disputes at the soy sauce factories, and residents attacked the government offices in 1930 over heavy taxation and unaccounted expenditures by municipal authorities.[4]

Attack on Chōshi during WWII

Chōshi was an important military target during World War II due to its fishing industry and canneries. Before and during the war, Choshi was Tokyo's main food supplier. The first air raid on Chōshi by USAAF B-29 Superfortress bombers took place on March 10, 1945 causing minor damage. This was followed by the Chōshi Air Raid of July 19, 1945, during which time over 150 B-29s rained bombs on the city, destroying 33.8% of the urban area, killing 1,181 civilians and destroying 5,142 homes.[4][5] The city was bombed again on August 1, 1945. Emperor Hirohito made an official visit to the ruined city on June 6, 1946, after the surrender of Japan.

Economy

Chōshi is known as a center of soy sauce production. Production methods were introduced to Chōshi in 1616 from Settsu Province, and later from Kii Province, both near the Seto Inland Sea.[2] Soy sauce manufacturers Higeta and Yamasa are based in Chōshi.[6] The Port of Kashima in nearby Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture, is utilized to import soybeans for use in soy sauce production. The remains of soybeans not used in soy sauce production in Chōshi are returned to Kashima for production into feed for livestock.

The city is home to the Chōshi Fishing Port. Its catches of sardines, bonito, and tuna are the largest in Chiba Prefecture.[7] Wind power is actively being developed off the rugged coast of Chōshi[8] for use in the city and the greater Tokyo Metropolitan Area. Amber is also found in the area.

Education

  • Chiba Institute of Science
  • Chōshi has 13 elementary schools, seven middle schools and three high schools as well as one special education school.

Transportation

Railway

Chōshi Station
Tokawa Station
Enpuku-ji

Highways

Local attractions

Chōshi is home to Inubōsaki Lighthouse, completed in 1874 by Scotsman Richard Henry Brunton, as well as numerous historic temples, including Enpuku-ji and Mangan-ji.

Twin towns – sister cities

Chōshi has two sister cities:

Notable people from Chōshi

References

  1. ^ [1] Official home page
  2. ^ a b "銚子市" [Choshi]. Nihon Rekishi Chimei Taikei (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. OCLC 173191044. Archived from the original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
  3. ^ "Choshi Climate Normals 1961-1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
  4. ^ a b c "銚子市" [Chōshi]. Nihon Daihyakka Zensho (Nipponika) (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. OCLC 153301537. Archived from the original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2012-06-26.
  5. ^ Twentieth Air Force (1945). Tactical Mission Report: Mission no. 277-281, Flown 19 Jul 1945. APO 234 [i.e., Guam]: Twentieth Air Force.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  6. ^ Choshi Guide (in Japanese)
  7. ^ "Chōshi". Encyclopedia of Japan. Tokyo: Netto Adobansusha. 2011. Archived from the original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
  8. ^ "TEPCO and Orsted form JV to bid in Japan's first offshore wind auction | Recharge". Recharge | Latest renewable energy news.
  9. ^ "International Exchange". List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures. Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2015.