Saroma, Hokkaido
Encyclopedia
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.:
As of April 14, 2011, the town has a population
of 5,896 and a population density
of 15.8 persons per km². The total area is 404.99 km².
In the early Shōwa era
1930s, additional railroad connections were built to Saroma and several hundred households move 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. 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 at least nine people and injuring twelve more. 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 a new 4.1 km tunnel undercutting the 1988 Saroma Tunnel to Kitami.
do not experience a large temperature range compared to inland areas, which have colder winters and hotter summers.
, USA
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.
Schools in Saroma:
There are also three preschools, one associated with each of the elementary schools.
Towns of Japan
A town is a local administrative unit in Japan. It is a local public body along with prefecture , city , and village...
in the Tokoro District
Tokoro District, Hokkaido
is a district located in Okhotsk Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.As of 2005, the district has an estimated population of 16,291 and a population density of 15 persons per km²...
, Okhotsk Subprefecture
Okhotsk Subprefecture
is a subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan. It was renamed from the earlier Abashiri Subprefecture on April 1, 2010. Abashiri Subprefecture was established in 1897.-Naming:Abashiri Prefecture was named after the subprefectural office in Abashiri...
, Hokkaido
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
, Japan.
The name comes from the Ainu
Ainu language
Ainu is one of the Ainu languages, spoken by members of the Ainu ethnic group on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaidō....
place name saro oma pet, meaning place of many miscanthus
Miscanthus sinensis
Miscanthus sinensis Miscanthus sinensis Miscanthus sinensis (Chinese silver grass, Eulalia grass, maiden grass, zebra grass, Susuki grass, porcupine grass; syn. Eulalia japonica Trin., Miscanthus sinensis f. glaber Honda, Miscanthus sinensis var. gracillimus Hitchc., Miscanthus sinensis var....
reeds.:
As of April 14, 2011, the town has a population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 5,896 and a population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 15.8 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
Showa period
The , or Shōwa era, is the period of Japanese history corresponding to the reign of the Shōwa Emperor, Hirohito, from December 25, 1926 through January 7, 1989.The Shōwa period was longer than the reign of any previous Japanese emperor...
1930s, additional railroad connections were built to Saroma and several hundred households move 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. 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 at least nine people and injuring twelve more. See also 2006 Saroma tornado
2006 Saroma tornado
On November 7, 2006, a deadly tornado struck the town of Saroma, Hokkaidō in northern Japan. The tornado destroyed ten buildings. Nine people are confirmed dead and 26 people injured as of November 9, 2006 . Most of the casualties occurred at the work site for a tunnel, where the storm swept over...
. 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 a new 4.1 km tunnel undercutting the 1988 Saroma Tunnel to Kitami.
Climate
The areas of the town near Lake SaromaLake Saroma
also Saroma Lagoon is a body of brackish water in Saroma, Kitami, and Yūbetsu Hokkaidō, Japan. It is located in Abashiri Quasi-National Park. By area, the lake is the third largest in Japan and the largest in Hokkaidō....
do not experience a large temperature range compared to inland areas, which have colder winters and hotter summers.
International relations
Palmer, AlaskaPalmer, Alaska
Palmer is the borough seat of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough in the state of Alaska, USA. It is part of the Anchorage Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city is 5,937....
, USA
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.
- Saroma High School with Palmer High School, established 1991
- Saroma Junior High School with Palmer Junior Middle School and Colony Middle School, established 2003
- Saroma Elementary School with Pioneer Peak Elementary, established 1991
- Saroma Christian Church with Palmer Presbyterian Church
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:
- Saroma Junior High School
- Saroma Elementary School
- Hamasaroma Elementary School
- Wakasa Elementary School
There are also three preschools, one associated with each of the elementary schools.