Okushiri, Hokkaidō

Okushiri 奥尻町
—  Town  —
Location of Okushiri in Hokkaidō (Hiyama)
Okushiri
Coordinates: 42°10′N 139°31′E / 42.167°N 139.517°E / 42.167; 139.517Coordinates: 42°10′N 139°31′E / 42.167°N 139.517°E / 42.167; 139.517
Country	Japan
Region	Hokkaidō
Prefecture	Hokkaidō (Hiyama)
District	Okushiri
Government
– Mayor	Ryōji Wada
Area
– Total	142.98 km2 (55.2 sq mi)
Population (March 2008)
– Total	3,442
– Density	24.5/km2 (63.5/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City symbols
- Tree	Japanese Yew
- Flower	Rugosa Rose
Phone number	01397-2-3111
Address	806 Okushiri, Okushiri-chō, Okushiri-gun, Hokkaidō 043-1498
Website	Okushiri Town

Okushiri (奥尻町, Okushiri-chō^?) is a town encompassing all of Okushiri Island, located in Okushiri District, Hiyama, Hokkaidō, Japan.

As of 2008, the town has an estimated population of 3,442 and a density of 24.5 persons per km². The total area is 142.98 km².

Hiyama Prefectural Natural Park encompasses the entire island and town.

History

On July 12, 1993,^[1] the Southwest Hokkaidō Open Sea earthquake (北海道南西沖地震) of magnitude 7.8^[1] in the Sea of Japan off southwest Hokkaidō created a devastating tsunami. This tsunami killed 198.^[1] people in the town, despite a tsunami warning system and Seawall, and also caused landslides on the hills above. 32 people went missing, including 3 in Russia and 129 were injured. The subsequent fire burned down much of what remained. The island was reshaped by the tsunami, which was 10 meters high in town. The tsunami struck within five minutes of the earthquake, leaving residents absolutely no warning.

This was probably the world's first tsunami recorded by personal camcorders.^{[citation needed]}

A separate earthquake produced a minor tsunami in 1983 on the island, but with no injuries or deaths.

The name Okushiri comes from the Ainu name Ikusyun-shiri. Iku means other side and shiri means island.^[2]

Transportation

Okushiri Airport serves the island.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} HIRATA, YUZUKI; MASAKAZU MURAKAMI (Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006). "Island hit by 1993 killer tsunami remains vigilant". Japan Times (The Japan Times Ltd.). http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20061116f2.html. Retrieved 2009-06-25. 
2. ^ "About location and geography of Okushiri-cho". Official Home Page of Okushiri Town. Okushiri Town. http://www.town.okushiri.lg.jp/en/gaiyo/ichi_chisei.html. Retrieved 2009-07-01. 

External links

• (Japanese)Town website
• Animation of Okushiri tsunami from the Tsunami Research Center at USC