Makubetsu, Hokkaido


Makubetsu is a town located in Tokachi Subprefecture, Hokkaidō, Japan. , the town had an estimated population of 25,032 in 12688 households, and a population density of 52 people per km2. The total area of the town is.

Geography

Makubetsu is located in southeastern Hokkaido in the central part of the Tokachi Subprefecture, and borders Obihiro City to the west. The Tokachi Plain, where Makubetsu is located, is primarily composed of hills and plateaus. The Tokachi River flows north of the Makubetsu region, the Satsunai River flows west, and the Sarabetsu River and Tobetsu River flow through the center, as well as various small rivers. The Churui region forms a hilly area with a stepped elevation toward the plateaus of Taiki and Sarabetsu, although some areas also have gently undulating terrain. The eastern, southern, and northern sides are surrounded by mountains 200 to 300 meters in elevation that are rich in forest resources. The Toen River flows northwest to southeast through the center of the region.

Neighboring municipalities

  • *Toyokoro
  • *Obihiro
  • *Ikeda
  • *Otofuke
  • *Sarabetsu
  • *Taiki

    Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification, Makubetsu has a humid continental climate. It has large temperature differences, including large annual and daily temperature ranges. It receives a lot of snow, and is designated as a heavy snow area. In winter, temperatures below -30°C are not uncommon, making it extremely cold.

Demographics

Makubetsu Town is made up of three districts: Makubetsu, Satsunai, and Churui.
Per Japanese census data, the population of Makubetsu has remained stable. The Makubetsu and Churui districts have experience a rapid decline in population compared to the Satsunai district, which has been developed as a commuter town for Obihiro City.

History

In 1906 under Hokkaido's second-class town and village system the hamlet of Makubetsu became Makubetsu Village. It was raised to a first class village in 1919 and a town in 1946. On February 6, 2006, the village of Chūrui was merged into Makubetsu.

Government

Makubetsu has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 19 members. Makubetsu, as part of Tokachi Subprefecture, contributes four members to the Hokkaidō Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of the Hokkaidō 11th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The local economy remains centered on agriculture, with field crops and vegetable production in the Satsunai and Minami-Makubetsu districts, and dairy farming in the Churui district. In terms of crops, the area and production of Chinese yam are among the highest in the country. In terms of dairy and livestock farming, small- to medium-sized dairy farms and Japanese Black cattle breeding operations are combined with crops in the Makubetsu district, while the Churui district has a wide variety of operations, including large-scale dairy farming.
Industrial parks in the Satsunai district include the Riverside Makubetsu Industrial Park and the Satsunai East Industrial Park.

Education

Makubetsu has nine public elementary schools and five public middle schools operated by the town. The town has one public high school and one special education school for the handicapped operated by the Hokkaido Board of Education.

Transportation

Railways

- Nemuro Main Line

Highways

Makubetsu's mascot is Pao-kun is a blue elephant. He is one of the descendants of Naumann's elephants. His charm points are his trunks, his big ears, his long tusks and his lovely eyes. He is assisted by Kumagera-kun who is a woodpecker from the local park golf course. They both love to play park golfing and eat lily blubs. Pao-kun is unveiled in 1997 while Kumagera-kun is unveiled in 2006.