Minamiawaji

Minamiawaji (南あわじ市) is a city in the southern part of Awaji Island in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 45,489 in 19856 households, and a population density of 200 persons per km². The total area of the city is 229.01 sqkm.

Geography
The city of Minamiawaji occupies the southern third of Awaji Island. It is connected to Tokushima Prefecture to the south by the Ōnaruto Bridge, and is located facing the Kii Channel and the Gulf of Harima on the Seto Inland Sea. There are no large rivers in the city, but there are many agricultural ponds. In the eastern part of the city is Mt. Yuzuruha, the highest peak in Awaji Island with an elevation of 607.9 meters. Minamiawaji also includes the small island of Nushima (沼島) off the southeast coast of Awaji Island, which is only accessible by ferry.

Surrounding municipalities
Hyogo Prefecture
 * Sumoto

Demographics
Per Japanese census data, the population of Minamiawaji has been declining steadily over the past 30 years.

History
The city of Minamiawaji is situated in ancient Awaji Province. It was ruled as part of Tokushima Domain during the Edo period. After the Meiji restoration, it became part of Mihara District, Hyōgo. The town of Yura was established with the creation of the modern municipalities system April 1, 1889. On April 29, 1955 it changed its name to Nandan. The city of Minamiawaji was established on January 11, 2005, from the merger of all four towns of the former Mihara District: Nandan, Mihara, Midori, and Seidan.

Government
Minamiawaji has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 20 members. Minamiawaji contributes one member to the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Hyōgo 9th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy
The local economy is largely rural, and is based on agriculture and commercial fishing. Minamiawaji's soil and climate make it ideal for growing onions. As such, Awaji onions are renowned across Japan as sweet and delicious.

Education
Minamiawaji has 14 public elementary schools and four public middle schools operated by the city government and one public high school operated by the Hyōgo Prefectural Department of Education. There are also one private elementary school and one private middle school. Kibi International University's Faculty of Regional Creation Agriculture and the Kobe University Faculty of Maritime Sciences International Maritime Education and Research Center Awaji Marine Training Facility are located in Minamiawaji.

Railway
Minamiawaji does not have any passenger rail service.

Highways

 * JP Expressway E28.svg Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway

Other
Jointly with Awaji and Sumoto, the city operates a low-cost electric bike rental scheme, designed to attract visitors to stay for more than one day in order to explore the island.

Local attractions

 * Awaji Kokubun-ji, National Historic Site
 * Naruto whirlpools, which form when the changing tidal currents are forced through the Naruto Strait.
 * Mihara town in Minamiawaji is home to a puppet museum which houses numerous examples of locally crafted puppets. This art originated in the area.

Notable people from Minamiawaji

 * Kiichiro Higuchi, general in the Imperial Japanese Army
 * Tokubei Kuroda, marine biologist
 * Shohé Tanaka, physicist
 * Ōuchi Hyōei, economist
 * Yoichirō Hirase, marine biologist
 * Shintarō Hirase, marine biologist
 * Kazuyuki Okitsu, voice actor