Memuro, Hokkaido


Memuro is a town located in Tokachi Subprefecture, Hokkaidō, Japan. , the town had an estimated population of 17,573 in 8051 households, and a population density of 34 people per km2. The total area of the town is.

Geography

Memuro is located in southern Hokkaido in the western part of the Tokachi Plain, bordering Obihiro City to the southeast.The western part of the town is mountainous, originating from the Hidaka Mountains, and is designated as part of the Hidakasanmyaku-Erimo-Tokachi National Park. Mount Pipairo, at 1917 meters, is the highest point in the town.

Neighboring municipalities

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification, Memuro has a humid continental climate. Its climate is characterized by large temperature differences, with large annual and daily temperature ranges. It receives a lot of snow, making it a designated heavy snow area. In winter, temperatures below -25°C are not uncommon, making it extremely cold. On February 4, 2025, the six-hour snowfall reached 87 cm, the highest in Japan since records began.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population had been increasing due to an influx of people from the Tokachi region and residential development in the Higashi-Memuro area, which began in 2002, but has been declining in recent years.

History

The first time "Memuro" appears in written history is on a map by Minagawa Shushudayu, who surveyed the Tokachi River in 1800. At the time, it was listed as one of the 40 kotan that existed in Tokachi. "Memoro" is thought to come from the Ainu word "memu oro pets".The first Japanese settlers arrived in the Memoru area in 1886. Mimuro village was established in 1906 under the Hokkaido second-class town and village system. It was raised to a first-class village in 1919 and to a town in 1942.

Government

Memuro has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 16 members. Memuro, as part of Tokachi Subprefecture, contributes four members to the Hokkaidō Prefectural 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

With fertile soil and favorable climate, Memuro's economy is centered on agriculture, especially large-scale field farming. Memuro's representative crops, wheat, potatoes, red beans, sugar beets, and sweet corn. Approximately 230 companies are located in the Memuro East Industrial Park, many of which are food processors.

Education

Memuro has four public elementary schools and three public middle schools operated by the town. The town has one public high school operated by the Hokkaido Board of Education, and one private high school.. The Hokkaido Prefectural Tokachi Agricultural Experiment Station is located in Memuro.

Transportation

Railways

- Nemuro Main Line

Highways

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Noted people from Memuro

Sister city relations