| Nakatane | |||||
| Native Name Lang: | ja | ||||
| Settlement Type: | Town | ||||
| Image Map1: | Nakatane in Kagoshima Prefecture Ja.svg | ||||
| Pushpin Map: | Japan | ||||
| Pushpin Map Caption: | |||||
| Coordinates: | 30.5331°N 130.9586°W | ||||
| Subdivision Type: | Country | ||||
| Subdivision Name: | Japan | ||||
| Subdivision Type1: | Region | ||||
| Subdivision Name1: | Kyushu (Ōsumi Islands) | ||||
| Subdivision Type2: | Prefecture | ||||
| Subdivision Name2: | Kagoshima | ||||
| Subdivision Type3: | District | ||||
| Subdivision Name3: | Kumage | ||||
| Area Total Km2: | 136.94 | ||||
| Population Total: | 7,196 | ||||
| Population As Of: | April 30, 2024 | ||||
| Population Density Km2: | auto | ||||
| Timezone1: | Japan Standard Time | ||||
| Utc Offset1: | +9 | ||||
| Blank Name Sec2: | Phone number | ||||
| Blank Info Sec2: | 099-222-3141 | ||||
| Blank1 Name Sec2: | Address | ||||
| Blank1 Info Sec2: | 5186, Nonaka, Nakanotane-cho, Kumage-gun, Kagoshima-ken 891-3692 | ||||
| Blank2 Name Sec2: | Climate | ||||
| Blank2 Info Sec2: | Cfa | ||||
| Module: |
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thumb|right|270px|coast of Nakatane is a town located on the island of Tanegashima, in Kumage District, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan., the town had an estimated population of 7,196 in 4087 households, and a population density of 53 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the town is .
Nakatane occupies the center of the island of Tanegashima, with the East China Sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. The Noma district, where the town hall is located, is a key transportation point, and all national and prefectural roads that traverse the island pass through here.
The climate is classified as humid subtropical (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with very warm summers and mild winters. Precipitation is high throughout the year, but is highest in the months of May, June and September.
Per Japanese census data, the population of Nakatane is as shown below:[2]
The area of Nakatane was part of ancient Tane Province, which was abolished in 824 and incorporated into Ōsumi Province. Tanegashima became a part of Shimazu shōen in 1140. During the Edo Period, the area was part of the holdings of Satsuma Domain. Sugarcane was first cultivated in 1824. Nakatane Village was established on April 1, 1889. A power station was built in 1925, and the first telephone was installed in 1938. On November 10, 1940, Nakatane was upgraded to town status. Tanegashima Airport opened in Nakatane in 1958.
Nakatane has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 12 members. Nakatane, collectively with the other municipalities of Kumage District and the city of Nishinoomote, contributes two members to the Kagoshima Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of the Kagoshima 4th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
The economy of Nakatane is based largely on agriculture (sugar cane, sweet potatoes), livestock (cattle, pigs, etc.), and fisheries.
Nakatane has seven public elementary high schools and one public junior high school operated by the town government, and one public high school operated by the Kagoshima Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates a special education school for the handicapped.
Nakatane is featured in the Japanese animated feature film, 5 Centimeters Per Second, directed by Makoto Shinkai. It was released on March 3, 2007, in Japan.