| Numata | |||
| Native Name Lang: | ja | ||
| Settlement Type: | City | ||
| Image Blank Emblem: | Emblem of Numata, Gunma.svg | ||
| Blank Emblem Type: | Emblem | ||
| Pushpin Map: | Japan | ||
| Pushpin Map Caption: | |||
| Coordinates: | 36.646°N 139.0442°W | ||
| Subdivision Type: | Country | ||
| Subdivision Name: | Japan | ||
| Subdivision Type1: | Region | ||
| Subdivision Name1: | Kantō | ||
| Subdivision Type2: | Prefecture | ||
| Subdivision Name2: | Gunma | ||
| Leader Title: | Mayor | ||
| Area Total Km2: | 443.46 | ||
| Population Total: | 46908 | ||
| Population As Of: | July 2020 | ||
| Population Density Km2: | auto | ||
| Timezone1: | Japan Standard Time | ||
| Utc Offset1: | +9 | ||
| Blank Name Sec1: | Phone number | ||
| Blank Info Sec1: | 0278-23-2111 | ||
| Blank1 Name Sec1: | Address | ||
| Blank1 Info Sec1: | Shimono-machi 999, Numata-shi, Gunma-ken 378-8501 | ||
| Blank Name Sec2: | Climate | ||
| Blank Info Sec2: | Cfa | ||
| Module: |
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is a city located in Gunma Prefecture, Japan., the city had an estimated population of 46,908 in 20,589 households,[1] and a population density of 110 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 443.46sqkm, making it the largest city in terms of area within Gunma Prefecture. (The neighboring town of Minakami is the largest municipality in terms of area within Gunma.)
Numata is located in northern Gunma Prefecture. The Tone River flows through the western part of the city and the tributary, the Katashina River, flows through the southern end, forming a large river terrace. The downtown area is located at the top of the terrace, along the Tone River.
Numata has a Humid continental climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Numata is 12.0 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1522 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 24.7 °C, and lowest in January, at around 0.1 °C.[2]
Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Numata declined slightly over the past 40 years.
Numata developed during the Sengoku period as a castle town surrounding Numata Castle, a stronghold in Kōzuke Province contested by the Uesugi, Takeda, Later Hōjō and Sanada clans. During the Edo period, the area of present-day Numata was the center of the Numata Domain, a 35,000 koku feudal domain held by then Toki clan under the Tokugawa shogunate.
Numata Town was created within Tone District, Gunma Prefecture on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system after the Meiji Restoration. On March 1, 1954, Numata merged with neighboring Tonami, Ikeda, Usune and Kawada villages, and was raised to city status. On February 13, 2005 the villages of Shirasawa and Tone were incorporated into Numata.[4]
Numata has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 20 members. Numata contributes one member to the Gunma Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Gunma 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Numata is a regional commercial center and transportation hub, but was traditionally known for lumber production.
Numata has 12 public elementary schools and nine public middle schools operated by the city government, and four public high schools operated by the Gunma Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates a special education school for the handicapped.
right|thumb|230px|Numata Castle bell tower
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