Saroma, Hokkaido

Saroma
佐呂間町
Town

A view of Saroma Town looking east from Mt. Horoiwa

Emblem

Location of Saroma in Hokkaido (Okhotsk Subprefecture)
Saroma

Location in Japan

Coordinates: 44°00′58″N 143°46′46″E / 44.01611°N 143.77944°E / 44.01611; 143.77944Coordinates: 44°00′58″N 143°46′46″E / 44.01611°N 143.77944°E / 44.01611; 143.77944
Country Japan
Region Hokkaido
Prefecture Hokkaido (Okhotsk Subprefecture)
District Tokoro
Government
 • Mayor Akio Kawane
Area
 • Total 404.99 km2 (156.37 sq mi)
Population (January, 2013)
 • Total 5,617
 • Density 14/km2 (36/sq mi)
Symbols
 • Tree Tilia maximowicziana Shirasawa (Linden)
 • Flower Rhododendron dauricum (Purple Azalea)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address 3-1, Eidai-chō, Saroma-chō, Tokoro-gun, Hokkaidō
093-0502
Website www.town.saroma.hokkaido.jp

Saroma (佐呂間町 Saroma-chō) is a town in the Tokoro District, Okhotsk Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.

The name comes from the Ainu place name saro oma pet, meaning place of many miscanthus reeds.[1]

As of January, 2013, the town has a population of 5,617 and a population density of 14 persons per km². The total area is 404.99 km².

History

Saroma was established in 1894 as part of the Japanese expansion into and colonization of Hokkaido. The first permanent Japanese settler was Jingorou Suzuki, who homesteaded near present-day Hamasaroma, on Saroma Lake. The following decade saw the establishment of a city hall, a railroad, agricultural zoning, and the building of roads. In 1914, the Saroma area was established as Tofutsu Village, the name changed the next year to Saroma Village.

In the early Shōwa era 1930s, additional railroad connections were built to Saroma and several hundred households moved to the area. In 1948 Saroma High School was opened as a night school. 1953 saw Saroma become an official town, with the establishment of a town song and official seal. In 1955, the population reached 15,656.[2] The following year, Saroma merged with neighboring Wakasa Village.

The 1960s and 70s saw greater development in Saroma, with the beginning of full-time operation at Saroma High in 1962 and construction of a proper road over Rukushi Pass to Kitami in 1968. In 1972, the Morinaga Corporation opened a butter factory in central Saroma. The population in 1975 was 9,307.

In 1980, Saroma and the city of Palmer, Alaska became official sister cities. With the privatization of Japan Railways in 1987, the Yumo Line through Saroma was closed, and replaced with a bus service paralleling the former train routes. The following year the Saroma Tunnel was opened through Rukushi pass, allowing year-round access to the nearby city of Kitami. 1994 marked the 100th anniversary of the town, which was celebrated with the building of a memorial park and park golf course.

On November 7, 2006, a tornado struck the town, killing nine people and injuring twelve more.[3] See also 2006 Saroma tornado. Floods also hit the town the same year, causing widespread damage but no injuries. Saroma gained easier access to neighboring communities with new a tunnel to Engaru completed in 2002, and in 2009 with the 4.1 km New Saroma Tunnel to Kitami.

Climate

The areas of the town near Lake Saroma do not experience a large temperature range compared to inland areas, which have colder winters and hotter summers.

Saroma Town
Climate chart (explanation)
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
42
 
 
−3
−16
 
 
32
 
 
−3
−17
 
 
34
 
 
1
−11
 
 
45
 
 
10
−2
 
 
61
 
 
16
4
 
 
58
 
 
19
9
 
 
85
 
 
23
14
 
 
113
 
 
25
15
 
 
125
 
 
20
10
 
 
74
 
 
15
3
 
 
55
 
 
7
−3
 
 
47
 
 
0
−11
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: [4]

International relations

On October 28, 1980, Saroma and Palmer agreed to a bilateral sister relation to promote cultural exchange and support a home-stay program for their residents. The relationship began with a friendship formed between Mr. Mutsuhiro Ishiguro, an English teacher at Saroma High School, and Palmer resident Edward Holmes. They met over their ham radios, and over time formed a friendship. Mr. Holmes eventually visited Saroma, which then led to a delegation from Saroma to Palmer, where they signed the sister city accords. Since that time, additional relationships have formed under the auspices of the town connection.

Education

Saroma Town Board of Education manages education in town from preschool through compulsory education grades 1-9. The Superintendent is Kenichi Kagawa. Saroma High School (grades 10-12) is managed by Hokkaido Prefecture.

Schools in Saroma:

There are also three preschools, one associated with each of the elementary schools.

References

  1. ↑ Akagi Sanpei (赤木 三兵), Journey of Hokkaidō Place Names—Notes on Ainu Language Place Names (北海道 地名の旅—アイヌ語地名解 Hokkaidō Chimei no Tabi — Ainugo Chimei Kai), page 56
  2. ↑ "Saroma Town Historical Population Data (Japanese)". Saroma Town. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
  3. ↑ "Deadly Tornado Hits Japanese Town". Sky News Website. Sky News. November 7, 2006. Retrieved 2008-12-02.
  4. ↑ http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_amd_ym.php?prec_no=17&prec_ch=%96%D4%91%96%8Ex%92%A1&block_no=0070&block_ch=%8D%B2%98C%8A%D4&year=&month=&day=&elm=normal&view=
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