Takeo, Saga

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Geography

Takeo is located in the western part of Saga Prefecture. It is approximately west of Saga City and approximately east of Sasebo. Takeo has a complex topography including mountains, mountain basins and riverside plains. The population is concentrated in the western end of the Takeo Basin in the southeastern part of the city, and in the basin on the western side of the city.

Mountains: Mt. Mifune, Mt. Hachiman, Mt. Bi, Mt. Jinroku
Rivers: Rokkaku River, Shiomi River, Yamanaka River

Adjoining municipalities

Nagasaki Prefecture

Hasami

Saga Prefecture

Climate

Takeo has a humid subtropical climate characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Takeo is 16.1 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1864 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.8 °C, and lowest in January, at around 5.9 °C.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Takeo is as shown below.

History

The area of Takeo was part of ancient Hizen Province. During the Edo period it was mostly under Saga Domain ruled by the Nabeshima clan. Following the Meiji restoration, the town of Takeo and the villages of Asahi, Hashishita, Higashikawanobori, Kitagata, Kitsu, Nakato, Nishikawanobori, Sumiyoshi, Takeo, Takeuchi and Wakaki were established with the creation of the modern municipalities system in Kishima District, Saga. Takeo village and Takeo town merged on June 7, 1900. Kitamura was raised to town status on April 29, 1944. On April 1, 1954 Takeo annexed the villages of Asahi, Hashishita, Higashikawanobori, Nishikawanobori, Takeuchi and Wakagi and was raised to city status. On September 1, 1960 Yamauchi was raised to town status. On March 1, 2006, the towns of Kitagata and Yamauchi were merged into Takeo.

Government

Takeo has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 20 members. Takeo contributes two members to the Saga Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Saga 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

About 23% of the city area is farmland, and agriculture is practiced throughout the city. The main agricultural product is rice, with wheat and soybeans also being cultivated. However, agricultural income has been declining year by year, and is the lowest among the cities in the prefecture. Combined with the aging of agricultural successors, the increase in abandoned farmland and the decline in agriculture have become serious problems.
Industry is centered around ceramics production and a number of kilns are located mainly in the old portion of the city. The former Yamauchi Town is adjacent to Arita, so there are many Arita ware kilns. The city has a number of industrial parks.
The tertiary industry is centered on commerce and tourism due to Takeo Onsen and other hot springs.