Setouchi, Kagoshima

Setouchi (瀬戸内町) is a town located primarily on Amami Ōshima, in Ōshima District, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.

As of 1 October 2020, the town had an estimated population of 8,546 and a population density of 35.62 persons per km². The total area was 239.91 km².

Geography
Setouchi occupies the southern portion of Amami Ōshima, facing the East China Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It also includes numerous offshore islands of Amami Ōshima, including the inhabited islands of Kakeromajima, Ukejima and Yoroshima.

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. The area is subject to frequent typhoons.

Surrounding municipalities

 * Amami
 * Uken

History
Higashikata Village was established on April 1, 1908. It became the town of Koniya on April 1, 1936. As with all of the Amami Islands, the village came under the administration of the United States from July 1, 1946 to December 25, 1953. On September 1, 1956 Koniya merged with three neighboring villages to form the town of Setouchi.

Economy
The town economy is primarily based on agriculture, with sugar cane and citrus horticulture as the main crops. Industries include shochu refining and commercial fishing.

Ports

 * Koniya Port, with ferry connections to Kagoshima and to the other Amami islands.

Noted people from Setouchi

 * Ikue Asazaki – musician
 * Chitose Hajime – musician
 * Tadashi Kanehisa – folklorist
 * Kenji Midori – Karateka
 * Shomu Nobori - Russian translator
 * Meisei Chikara - sumo wrestler