Amagi, Kagoshima

Amagi (天城町, Amagi-chō) is a town located on Tokunoshima, in Ōshima District, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 February 2025, the town had an estimated population of 5,464 in 3095 households and a population density of 68 persons per km². The total area of the town is 80.40 km² (31.04 sq mi).

Geography

Amagi occupies the northeastern portion of the island of Tokunoshima, with the East China Sea to the west.

Surrounding municipalities

Isen
Tokunoshima

Climate

The climate is classified as humid subtropical (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with very warm summers and mild winters. Precipitation is high throughout the year, but is highest in the months of May, June and September.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Amagi is as shown below:

History

From the Ritsuryo period, Tokushima was part of Ōsumi Province. During the Invasion of Ryukyu, a fleet of the Satsuma Domain landed at Amagi on April 17, 1609. The ships were besieged all night by locals until the next day, when troops fired into the crowds after being disembarked. A total of 50 people were killed. The island of Tokunoshima remained part of the holdings of Kagoshima Domain in the Edo period

Modern history

Amagi Village was established on April 1, 1908, with the establishment of the modern municipalities system. As with all of Tokunoshima, the village came under the administration of the United States from 1 July 1946 to 25 December 1953. On 1 January 1961, Amagi was upgraded to town status.

Government

Amagi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 14 members. Amagi, collectively with the other municipalities of Oshima District, contributes two members to the Kagoshima Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of the Kagoshima 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The economy of the town is based on sugar cane, beef and seasonal tourism.

Education

Amagi has four public elementary school and two public junior high schools operated by the town government, and one public high school operated by the Kagoshima Prefectural Board of Education.