| Kōshi | |||
| Native Name Lang: | ja | ||
| Settlement Type: | City | ||
| Seal Type: | Emblem | ||
| Image Map1: | Koshi in Kumamoto Prefecture Ja.svg | ||
| Pushpin Map: | Japan | ||
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Japan | ||
| Coordinates: | 32.8858°N 130.7897°W | ||
| Subdivision Type: | Country | ||
| Subdivision Name: | Japan | ||
| Subdivision Type1: | Region | ||
| Subdivision Name1: | Kyushu | ||
| Subdivision Type2: | Prefecture | ||
| Subdivision Name2: | Kumamoto | ||
| Subdivision Type3: | District | ||
| Extinct Title: | Now part of | ||
| Leader Title: | Mayor | ||
| Leader Name: | Yoshiyuki Araki (since April 2010) | ||
| Leader Title1: | Vice Mayor | ||
| Unit Pref: | Metric | ||
| Area Total Km2: | 53.19 | ||
| Population Total: | 65,054 | ||
| Population As Of: | July 31, 2024 | ||
| Population Density Km2: | auto | ||
| Timezone1: | JST | ||
| Utc Offset1: | +09:00 | ||
| Blank Name Sec1: | City hall address | ||
| Blank Info Sec1: | 2140 Takesako, Koshi-shi, Kumamoto-ken, 861-1195 | ||
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is a city in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan., the city had an estimated population of 65,054 in 26670 households, and a population density of 860 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the city is ..[2]
Kōshi is located in a northern inland part of Kumamoto Prefecture. The northern part of the city is one of the prefecture's leading grain-producing areas, with soils consisting of volcanic ash humus called "Kuroboku", which is the result of volcanic ash falling from Mount Aso. Residential and commercial areas are located along national and prefectural roads and the Kumamoto Electric Railway. A new urban area has also formed in the southwestern area adjacent to Kumamoto City, and the population is on the rise as a commuter town for Kumamoto City.
Kumamoto Prefecture
Kōshi has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Kōshi is 15.3 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1988 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.1 °C, and lowest in January, at around 4.6 °C.[3]
Per Japanese census data, the population of Kōshi is as shown below
The area of Kōshi was part of ancient Higo Province, During the Edo Period it was part of the holdings of Kumamoto Domain. After the Meiji restoration, the villages of Kōshi and Nishikōshi was established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Kōshi was raised to town status on April 1, 1966 and Nishikōshi on October 1, 1966. On February 27, 2006 Kōshi and Nishikōshi merged to form the city of Kōshi. It was the 14th "Great Heisei Merger" in Kumamoto Prefecture.[4]
Kōshi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 19 members. Kōshi contributes two members to the Kumamoto Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Kumamoto 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Kōshi has amixed economy based on manufacturing of automotive parts and precision equipment, as well as agriculture
Kōshi has eight public elementary schools and four public junior high schools operated by the city government. The city does not have a high school. However, the Kumamoto Prefectural Board of Education operates three schools for the handicapped.
Kumamoto Electric Railway - Kikuchi Line