Furubira, Hokkaido Explained

Furubira
Native Name Lang:ja
Settlement Type:Town
Seal Type:Emblem
Pushpin Map:Japan
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Japan
Coordinates:43.2667°N 178°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Japan
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Hokkaido
Subdivision Type2:Prefecture
Subdivision Name2:Hokkaido (Shiribeshi Subprefecture)
Subdivision Type3:District
Subdivision Name3:Furubira
Extinct Title:Now part of
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Junji Homma
Leader Title1:Vice Mayor
Unit Pref:Metric
Area Total Km2:188.41
Population Total:3,265
Population As Of:30 September 2016
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:JST
Utc Offset1:+09:00
Blank Name Sec1:City hall address
Blank Info Sec1:40-4 Hama-machi, Furubira, Furubira-gun, Hokkaido
046-0192

is a town located in Shiribeshi Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. As of September 2016, the town had an estimated population of 3,265, and a density of 17 persons per km2. The total area is 188.41km2.

Geography

Furubira occupies the eastern end of the north coast of the Shakotan Peninsula facing the Sea of Japan. The town is largely built around the Furubira River, which runs from the highlands of the Shakotan Peninsula into the sea.

Neighboring municipalities

History

Furubira was established as one of many Pacific herring fishing settlements in the region at the beginning of the Edo period (1603  - 1868). The town was formally incorporated in 1902.

Economy

Manganese was once mined at the head of the Furubira River; mining ceased in the town in 1984. The mine was located at Inakuraishi.

The Port of Furubira, located near Cape Maruyama, is an active fishing port. Shrimp, Alaska pollack, and saltwater clams are a mainstay of the economy. The Furubira River provides irrigation for the production of rice, potatoes, and soybeans. Beef, pork, and poultry are also raised in the town.

Education

Hokkaido Furubira High School closed in 2012.

External links