Nishimeya (西目屋村, Nishimeya-mura) is a village located in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 April 2020[update], the village had an estimated population of 1340 in 556 households,[1] and a population density of 5.4 persons per km2. The total area of the village is 246.02 square kilometres (94.99 sq mi).
Nishimeya
西目屋村 | |
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Village | |
Nishimeya village hall | |
![]() Flag ![]() Seal | |
![]() Location of Nishimeya in Aomori Prefecture | |
![]() ![]() Nishimeya | |
Coordinates: 40°34′36.2″N 140°17′46.5″E | |
Country | Japan |
Region | Tōhoku |
Prefecture | Aomori |
District | Nakatsugaru |
Area | |
• Total | 246.02 km2 (94.99 sq mi) |
Population (April 1, 2020) | |
• Total | 1,340 |
• Density | 5.4/km2 (14/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time) |
City symbols | |
• Bird | Black woodpecker |
Phone number | 0172-85-2111 |
Address | 144 Inamoto, Tashiro Nishimeya-mura, Nakatsugaru-gun, Aomori-ken 036-1492 |
Website | Official website |
Nishimeya is located in the far southern edge of Aomori Prefecture, bordering Akita Prefecture and the Shirakami-Sanchi mountain range, south of Mount Iwaki. The Iwaki River flows through the village, and the Tsugaru Dam and Lake Miyama are located in the center of the village. A portion of the Akaishi Keiryū Anmon no Taki Prefectural Natural Park is located in Nishimeya. The mountainous area is home to many indigenous plant and animal species. Wildlife includes Japanese macaque monkeys, kamoshika, tanuki and Asian black bears.
The village has cold humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) characterized by warm short summers and long cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Nishimeya is 10.0 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1423 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 23.6 °C, and lowest in January, at around -2.3 °C.[2]
Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Nishimeya has decreased by more than half over the past 40 years and is considerably less than it was a century ago.
Year | Pop. | ±% |
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1920 | 2,677 | — |
1930 | 3,003 | +12.2% |
1940 | 3,910 | +30.2% |
1950 | 3,917 | +0.2% |
1960 | 5,346 | +36.5% |
1970 | 4,327 | −19.1% |
1980 | 2,812 | −35.0% |
1990 | 2,225 | −20.9% |
2000 | 2,049 | −7.9% |
2010 | 1,594 | −22.2% |
2020 | 1,265 | −20.6% |
The area around Nishimeya was controlled by the Tsugaru clan of Hirosaki Domain during the Edo period. It became a village of the Nakatsugaru District on April 1, 1898, with the establishment of the modern municipalities system after the start of the Meiji period.
Nishimeya has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral village legislature of six members. Nishimiya is included with the city of Hirosaki, which contributes six members to the Aomori Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the village is part of Aomori 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
The economy of Nishimeya is heavily dependent on agriculture and forestry.
Nishimeya has one public elementary school operated by village town government. The village does not have a junior high school or a high school.
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