Miyoshi (三芳町, Miyoshi-machi) is a town located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. As of 28 February 2021[update], the town had an estimated population of 38,101 in 16,692 households and a population density of 2500 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the town is 15.33 square kilometres (5.92 sq mi).
Geography
Miyoshi is located in south-central Saitama Prefecture.
Miyoshi has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Miyoshi is 14.0 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1647 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.7 °C, and lowest in January, at around 2.3 °C.[2]
Demographics
Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Miyoshi saw strong growth starting around 1960 which leveled off around 1990.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1920
3,418
—
1930
3,602
+5.4%
1940
3,711
+3.0%
1950
4,280
+15.3%
1960
4,329
+1.1%
1970
14,475
+234.4%
1980
28,978
+100.2%
1990
35,067
+21.0%
2000
35,752
+2.0%
2010
38,706
+8.3%
2020
38,434
−0.7%
History
The place name of "Miyoshin-no-sato" appears in the Heian periodIse Monogatari, and was part of ancient Musashi Province. During the Edo period, it was part of the holdings of Kawagoe Domain and was a rural agricultural area with few inhabitants. The village of Miyoshi was created within Iruma District, Saitama on April 1, 1889 with the establishment of the modern municipalities system. It was elevated to town status on November 3, 1970.
Government
Miyoshi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 15 members. Miyoshi, together with the city of Fujimino, contributes two members to the Saitama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Saitama 8th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
The economy of Miyoshi is largely agricultural, with sweet potatoes a major crop. However, the town is also a bedroom community with some 25% of its working population commuting to nearby Tokyo.
Education
Miyoshi has five public elementary schools and three public middle schools operated by the town government. The town does not have a high school. Chiba-based Shukutoku University has a campus in Miyoshi.
Transportation
Railway
Miyoshi is not served by any passenger rail service.