Nobeoka, Miyazaki

For the harvestman genus, see Nobeoka (harvestman).

Nobeoka 延岡市
—  City  —
Flag
Location of Nobeoka in Miyazaki
Nobeoka
Coordinates: 32°35′N 131°40′E / 32.583°N 131.667°E / 32.583; 131.667Coordinates: 32°35′N 131°40′E / 32.583°N 131.667°E / 32.583; 131.667
Country	Japan
Region	Kyūshū
Prefecture	Miyazaki
Government
- Mayor	Masaharu Sudō
Area
- Total	867.97 km2 (335.1 sq mi)
Population (January 2008)
- Total	132,480
- Density	153/km2 (396.3/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City symbols
- Tree	Round Leaf Holly (Ilex rotunda)
- Flower	Canna
- Flowering tree	Wisteria
Phone number	0982-34-2111
Address	2-1 Higashihonkōji, Nobeoka-shi, Miyazaki-ken 882-8686
Website	Nobeoka City

Nobeoka (延岡市, Nobeoka-shi^?) is the northernmost city located in Miyazaki, Japan.

Population

As of the January 1, 2008 merger, the city has an estimated population of 130,435 and a population density of 150 persons per km². The total area is 867.97 km².

History

The city was officially founded on February 11, 1933 after it gained city status. During World War II it was one of the most important centers of military explosives in Japan.^[1] On the night of June 28-29th, 1945, 117 US B-29s fire-bombed the city destroying 1.35 square km, or 36% of the city.^[2] On July 16, 1945, 33 US B-24s bombed the bridges in around the city, severing the strategically important Nippō Main Line railway.^[3] On February 20, 2006 Nobeoka absorbed the towns of Kitakata and Kitaura, both from Higashiusuki District.On March 31, 2007 the town of Kitagawa, also from Higashiusuki District, was absorbed into Nobeoka.

Climate

The climate of Nobeoka is hot and humid in the summer (above 30 °C) and is somewhat cold in the winter with temperatures dropping to around freezing (0 °C). Snowfall can be seen in the winter months, but does not accumulate because of coastal warming effects.

Economy

The city's economy depends strongly on the company Asahi Kasei, a producer of synthetic and industrial fibers.

It is known regionally for its Ayu fish.

Recently a new type of onion has been developed that can be harvested very early in the year (around February) due to Miyazaki and Nobeoka's relatively warm winter climate. It is known for its mildness and is put raw in salads. Many products, including an onion jam and onion salad dressing, have been produced to promote the onion by local agricultural boards.

Transportation

Nobeoka is the terminal station for trains that run the length of the prefecture (although some trains do continue up into Oita prefecture). It used to be the terminal station for the privately owned takachiho line, which ran towards Kumamoto prefecture from the northeast to the northwest of the prefecture. This line was closed after a typhoon in 2005, and has not been reopened.

Miyazaki is not currently serviced by an expressway, but there are vague plans of building a freeway from Miyazaki city up to Nobeoka. This would bring Nobeoka to within a one-hour drive of Miyazaki city. The cost, however, of building an expressway has been criticized has not being recoverable by the relatively small population that it would serve. Nobeoka does have its own municipal bus service with routes to most destinations in the city.

See also

Strategic bombing during World War II

References

• "Japs Disperse War Plants" , The Argus , Melbourne, June 30, 1945.

1. ^ http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/970734
2. ^ http://www.pacificwrecks.com/60th/1945/6-45.html
3. ^ http://www.accident-report.com/PUBS/chrono45c.html

External links

• Official website English version