Honbetsu, Hokkaido

Geography

Honbetsu is located in southeastern Hokkaido, in the northeastern part of the Tokachi Subprefecture. The Tobetsu River runs north-south through the center of the town, connecting tributaries from the hills to the east and west. A small, basin-shaped plain stretches out in the southern part of the town where the Misatobetsu River joins the Tobetsu River, and this is where the town center is located. The town is a transportation hub, located at the intersection of a road connecting Obihiro and Kitami and a road connecting the northern Tokachi Plain from east-to-west. The Doto Expressway has a junction in Honbetsu, where it branches off to Kitami and Kushiro.

Neighboring municipalities

• Ikeda
• Ashoro
• Shihoro
• Kamishihoro
• Urahoro
• Shiranuka

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification, Honbetsu has a humid continental climate. It has large temperature differences, including large annual and daily temperature ranges. It receives a lot of snow, and is designated as a heavy snow area. In winter, temperatures below -25°C are not uncommon, making it extremely cold.

|Jan record high C=7.4 |Feb record high C=14.4 |Mar record high C=18.2 |Apr record high C=30.9 |May record high C=37.2 |Jun record high C=35.6 |Jul record high C=37.1 |Aug record high C=36.3 |Sep record high C=33.7 |Oct record high C=29.1 |Nov record high C=21.1 |Dec record high C=14.7 |year record high C=37.2 |Jan record low C=-29.1 |Feb record low C=-27.4 |Mar record low C=-24.8 |Apr record low C=-12.4 |May record low C=-4.3 |Jun record low C=-0.4 |Jul record low C=4.9 |Aug record low C=5.3 |Sep record low C=0.3 |Oct record low C=-6.3 |Nov record low C=-17.8 |Dec record low C=-26.8 |year record low C=-29.1

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Honbetsu has declined in recent decades.

| 1970 | 14,804 | 1980 | 13,253 | 1990 | 11,484 | 2000 | 10,021 | 2010 | 8,276 | 2020 | 6,618

History

Beginning around 1798, guardhouses and trading were established in the Otsu area by Matsumae Domain for trade with the Ainu people. Following the Meiji restoration, a headsman's office was established in Otsu. Ninomiya Takachika (grandson of Ninomiya Sontoku) moved to Otsu in 1896. Toyokoro separated from Otsu in 1899 and merged with Chashikocha Village on April 1, 1906 forming the second-class village of Toyokoro. It was raised to town status on January 1, 1955.

Government

Honbetsu has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 12 members. Honbetsu, as part of Tokachi Subprefecture, contributes four members to the Hokkaidō Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of the Hokkaidō 11th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

Honbetsu has long relied on forestry as its economic base and was once very prosperous, but in recent years it has become primarily agricultural. Field crops include wheat, beans, and sugar beets. Dairy farming is also widespread.

Education

Honbetsu has one public elementary school and one public middle school operated by the town. The town one public high school operated by the Hokkaido Board of Education.

Transportation

Railway

Honbetsu does not have any passenger rail service. The nearest railway station is Ikeda Station n the JR Hokkaido Nemuro Main Line.

Highways

• [[File:JP Expressway E38.svg|30px|link=|alt=]] Dōtō Expressway

Sister city relations

• Australia Shire of Mitchell, Victoria, Australia

Honbetsu michinoeki01.JPG|Honbetsu road station Honbetsu north.JPG|Panorama of central Honbetsu (north) Honbetsu south.JPG|Panorama of central Honbetsu (south) つつじの本別公園（Honbetsu Park）.jpg|Honbetsu Park

Mascot

Honbetsu's mascot is Genki-kun. He is a soybean filled with dynamism and easiness. He is unveiled in 2001. His quote "Ii hito iimachi ikiikihonbetsu" (いいひと　いいまち　いきいきほんべつ) is a tongue twister.

References

References

1. "Honbetsu Town official statistics".
2. [https://www.data.jma.go.jp/stats/etrn/index.php Japan Meteorological Agency ]. JMA]]
3. "Population and number of households based on the Basic Resident Register".
4. "Honbetsu Town Assembly home page".
5. "Honbetsu Town Board of Education".
6. "Mitchell-Hombetsu Sister City Partnership 20th Anniversary Event". Australia Embassy, Japan.
7. "元気くん紹介".