Sekigahara (関ケ原町, Sekigahara-chō) is a town located in Fuwa District, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 December 2018[update], the town had an estimated population of 7,109 and a population density of 140 persons per km2, in 2,725 households.[2] The total area of the town was 49.28 square kilometres (19.03 sq mi).
The town has a climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and mild winters (Köppen climate classificationCfa). The average annual temperature in Sekigahara is 14.5 °C (58.1 °F). The average annual rainfall is 2,181.9 mm (85.90 in) with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.7 °C (80.1 °F), and lowest in January, at around 3.1 °C (37.6 °F).[3] The mountainous areas of the town are noted for heavy snow in winter.
Climate data for Sekigahara (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present)
Per Japanese census data,[5] the population of Sekigahara has declined over the past 50 years.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1970
10,788
—
1980
10,483
−2.8%
1990
9,544
−9.0%
2000
9,110
−4.5%
2010
8,096
−11.1%
2020
6,610
−18.4%
History
The area around Sekigahara was part of traditional Mino Province. In 1600, the Battle of Sekigahara took place here. During the Edo period it was tenryō territory directly under the Tokugawa shogunate, administered by a hatamoto. During the post-Meiji restoration cadastral reforms, the area was organised into Fuwa District, Gifu Prefecture. The village of Sekigahara was formed on July 1, 1889 with the establishment of the modern municipalities system, and was raised to town status on April 1, 1928. In 1954, Sekigahara annexed the village of Imasu, as well as part of the neighboring town of Tarui. A proposed merger with the neighboring city of Ōgaki was rejected in 2004.
Education
Sekigahara has one public elementary school and one public middle school operated by the town government, and one private combined elementary/middle school. The town does not have a high school.
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