Kamikoani, Akita

Kamikoani (上小阿仁村, Kamikoani-mura) is a village located in Akita Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 January 2020, the village had an estimated population of 2,247 in 1097 households,[1] and a population density 8.8 persons per km². The total area of the village is 256.72 square kilometres (99.12 sq mi).

Kamikoani

上小阿仁村
Village
Kamikoani Village Hall
Flag
Seal
Location of Kamikoani in Akita Prefecture
Kamikoani
 
Coordinates: 40°3′48″N 140°17′45″E
CountryJapan
RegionTōhoku
PrefectureAkita
DistrictKitaakita
Area
 • Total256.72 km2 (99.12 sq mi)
Population
 (January 2020)
 • Total2,247
 • Density8.8/km2 (23/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- TreeCryptomeria
- FlowerPonerorchis kinoshitae
Phone number0186-77-2221
AddressKosawada-aze Mukaikawahara 118, Kamikoani-mura, Kitaakita-gun, Akita-ken 018-4494
WebsiteOfficial website

Geography

Kamikoani is located in the flatlands of north-central Akita Prefecture. Due to its inland location, the village is noted for its heavy snowfall in winter.

Neighboring municipalities

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[2] the population of Kamikoani peaked at around the year 1960 and has been in steady decline since then.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 5,526—    
1930 5,302−4.1%
1940 5,461+3.0%
1950 6,529+19.6%
1960 6,972+6.8%
1970 5,242−24.8%
1980 4,352−17.0%
1990 3,726−14.4%
2000 3,369−9.6%
2010 2,747−18.5%

Climate

Mitane has a Humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfa) with large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is heaviest from August to October. The average annual temperature in Kamikoani is 9.8 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1626 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 23.3 °C, and lowest in January, at around -3.2 °C.[3]

History

A “Kotani Village” in Dewa Province is mentioned in records of the area from the period of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. During the Edo period, the area came under the control of the Satake clan, who ruled the northern third of the province from Kubota Domain. After the start of the Meiji period, the area became part of Kitaakita District, Akita Prefecture in 1878. The village of Kamikoani was founded on April 1, 1889 with the establishment of the modern municipalities system.

Physician shortage

In February 2008, a male doctor who had been working in remote areas for more than 20 years started working in Kamikoani. He said "This village is the last place in my career as a doctor. I want to continue medication as I have love and interest for people." before working. In fourth month after starting, he intimated his intention of resigning, and quit two months later.[4][5] In 2009, Yukiko Arisawa, a 61-year-old female doctor, started working Kamikoani, after working on isolated islands and in Thailand. She intimated her intention of resigning in March 2010, but postponed until March 2011 because of concerns that it would take time to find a replacement. For these sudden resignations, Kouhou Kamikoani, the official public relations magazine published by the village office, reported that the doctors suffered from constant harassment by the local villagers.[6] According to the magazine, she had bullying phone calls, and her efforts were criticized. When she installed a light with a sensor in front of her house to deal with patients at night, she was accused of wasting tax money, even though she had paid for the light and the monthly electricity bill herself. Another villager said "I wonder how you could go shopping with having patients waiting." when she went to buy sandwiches because she had no time to have lunch. She managed to have only 18 holidays in 2009, but some people said "How can you have a holiday on weekdays?" and criticized when she had a holiday on August 17. And, someone scattered defamatory leaflet in front of her house.[7]

Economy

The economy of Kamikoani is based on agriculture.

Education

Kamikoani has one combined elementary/middle school operated by the village government. The village does not have a high school.

Transportation

Railway
  • Kamikoani currently does not have any railway service.

Highway

Sister city relations

References
  1. Kamikoani Village official statistics (in Japanese)
  2. Kamikoani population statistics
  3. data
  4. "The only doctor in village quits. Caused by heartless jeering to a hardworking doctor from villagers? - Kamikoani village, Akita". Yomiuri Shimbun. March 10, 2010
  5. "Rendering great service to Non-Doctor village Dr.Matsuzawa arrives at Kamikoani in Akita". Kawakita Shimpo. February 7, 2008
  6. March edition. p.16 Kouhou Kamikoani. March 10, 2010
  7. The only doctor in the village quits. The village is in an uproar for non-doctor crisis. AKITA Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine Yomiuri Online. March 12, 2010
  8. "International Exchange". List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures. Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). Archived from the original on 21 November 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
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