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Coordinates: 37°47′48″N 140°55′10.7″E / 37.79667°N 140.919639°E / 37.79667; 140.919639
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m Updating the Commons category from "Category:Sōma, Fukushima" to "Category:Soma, Fukushima" to avoid a category redirect
 
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{{redirect|Sōma}}
{{Redirect|Sōma}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name = {{raise|0.2em|Sōma}}
| name = Sōma
| native_name = {{lower|0.1em|{{nobold|{{lang|ja|相馬市}}}}}}
| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|相馬市}}}}
| official_name =
| official_name =
| native_name_lang = ja
| native_name_lang = ja
| settlement_type = [[Cities of Japan|City]]
| settlement_type = [[Cities of Japan|City]]
<!-- images, nickname, motto -->
<!-- images, nickname, motto -->
| image_skyline =
| image_skyline =相馬市役所.jpg
| imagesize =
| imagesize =
| image_alt =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = (Upper) Matsukawa Lagoon, Uda River, (Center) Soma Shrine, (Lower) Hyakusyaku Kannon, and Soma Nakamura Shrine.
| image_caption = Sōma City Hall
| image_flag = Flag of Sōma, Fukushima.svg

| image_flag = Flag of Soma Fukushima.JPG
| flag_alt =
| flag_alt =
| image_seal = Symbol of Soma Fukushima.svg
| image_blank_emblem = Emblem of Sōma, Fukushima.svg
| seal_alt =
| blank_emblem_type = Emblem
| image_shield =
| shield_alt =
| image_blank_emblem =
| nickname =
| nickname =
| motto =
| motto =
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| image_map = Soma in Fukushima Prefecture Ja.svg
| image_map = Soma in Fukushima Prefecture Ja.svg
| map_alt =
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location of Sōmain [[Fukushima Prefecture]]
| map_caption = Location of Sōma in [[Fukushima Prefecture]]
| pushpin_map = Japan
| pushpin_map = Japan
| pushpin_label_position = <!-- position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
| pushpin_label_position = <!-- position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
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| subdivision_name1 = [[Tōhoku region|Tōhoku]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Tōhoku region|Tōhoku]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Fukushima Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Fukushima Prefecture|Fukushima]]
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_name3 =
| subdivision_name3 =
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| government_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| government_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| leader_party =
| leader_party =
| leader_title = - Mayor
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = Hidekiyo Tachiya
| leader_name = Hidekiyo Tachiya
| leader_title1 =
| leader_title1 =
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<!-- population -->
<!-- population -->
| population_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| population_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| population_total = 35592
| population_total = 34631
| population_as_of = October 2017
| population_as_of = February 29, 2020
| population_density_km2 =179
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_est =
| population_est =
| pop_est_as_of =
| pop_est_as_of =
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<!-- time zone(s) -->
<!-- time zone(s) -->
| timezone1 = [[Japan Standard Time]]
| timezone1 = [[Japan Standard Time]]
| utc_offset1 = +9
| utc_offset1 = +09:00
| timezone1_DST =
| timezone1_DST =
| utc_offset1_DST =
| utc_offset1_DST =
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| area_code =
| area_code =
<!-- blank fields (section 1) -->
<!-- blank fields (section 1) -->
| blank_name_sec1 = Symbols
| blank_name_sec1 = Phone&nbsp;number
| blank_info_sec1 = &nbsp;
| blank_info_sec1 =0244-37-2117
| blank1_name_sec1 = • Tree
| blank1_name_sec1 = Address
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Japanese black pine]]
| blank1_info_sec1 = 13 Nakamura Ōtesaki, Sōma-shi, Fukushima-ken 976-8601
| blank2_name_sec1 = • Flowers
| blank2_info_sec1 ='''Spring''': [[sakura]]<br/>'''Summer''': [[Rosa rugosa|rugosa rose]]<br/>'''Autumn''': [[Platycodon grandiflorus|balloon flower]]<br/>'''Winter''': [[Camellia sasanqua|sazanka]]
| blank3_name_sec1 = • Bird
| blank3_info_sec1 = [[Japanese bush-warbler]]
| blank4_name_sec1 = • Fish
| blank4_info_sec1 =
| blank5_name_sec1 = • Insect
| blank5_info_sec1 =
| blank6_name_sec1 =
| blank6_info_sec1 =
| blank7_name_sec1 =
| blank7_info_sec1 =
<!-- blank fields (section 2) -->
<!-- blank fields (section 2) -->
| blank_name_sec2 = Phone&nbsp;number
| blank_name_sec2 = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info_sec2 =0244-37-2117
| blank_info_sec2 = [[Humid subtropical climate|Cfa]]
| blank1_name_sec2 = Address
| blank1_info_sec2 = 13 Nakamura Ōtesaki, Sōma-shi, Fukushima-ken 976-8601
<!-- website, footnotes -->
<!-- website, footnotes -->
| website = [http://www.city.soma.fukushima.jp/ http://www.city.soma.fukushima.jp/]
| website = {{Official|1=http://www.city.soma.fukushima.jp/}}
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
| module = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| tree = [[Japanese black pine]]
| flower = '''Spring''': [[sakura]]<br/>'''Summer''': [[Rosa rugosa|rugosa rose]]<br/>'''Autumn''': [[Platycodon grandiflorus|balloon flower]]<br/>'''Winter''': [[Camellia sasanqua|sazanka]]
| bird = [[Japanese bush warbler]]
| flowering_tree =
| butterfly =
| fish =
| other_symbols =
}}
}}
}}
[[File:Soma City Office.jpg|thumb|right|270px|Sōma City Hall]]
[[File:20091011松川浦.jpg|thumb|right|270px|Matsukawaura [[Lagoon]]]]
{{nihongo|'''Sōma'''|相馬市|Sōma-shi}} is a [[Cities of Japan|city]] located in [[Fukushima Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. {{As of|2017|10|01}}, the city had an estimated [[population]] of 35,592, and a [[population density]] of 179 persons per km<sup>2</sup> in 14,358 households.<ref>[http://www.city.soma.fukushima.jp Sōma city official home page]{{ja}}</ref> The total area of the city is {{convert|197.79|sqkm|sqmi}}.
{{nihongo|'''Sōma'''|相馬市|Sōma-shi}} is a [[Cities of Japan|city]] located in [[Fukushima Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. {{As of|2020|02|29}}, the city had an estimated [[population]] of 34,631, and a [[population density]] of 180 persons per km<sup>2</sup> in 14,358 households.<ref>[http://www.city.soma.fukushima.jp Sōma city official home page]{{in lang|ja}}</ref> The total area of the city is {{convert|197.79|sqkm|sqmi}}.

==Geography==
==Geography==
Sōma is located in northeastern Fukushima Prefecture, bordered by the [[Pacific Ocean]] to the east and the Abukuma Plateau to the west. Sōma is closer to [[Sendai]] in [[Miyagi Prefecture]] than it is to the prefectural capital of [[Fukushima, Fukushima|Fukushima]].
Sōma is located in northeastern Fukushima Prefecture, bordered by the [[Pacific Ocean]] to the east and the Abukuma Plateau to the west. Sōma is closer to [[Sendai]] in [[Miyagi Prefecture]] than it is to the prefectural capital of [[Fukushima, Fukushima|Fukushima]].


*Mountains
*Mountains
**Ryozan (825m)
**[[Mount Ryōzen]] (825m)
*Rivers
*Rivers
**Uda River
**Uda River
Line 131: Line 122:
===Neighboring municipalities===
===Neighboring municipalities===
*Fukushima Prefecture
*Fukushima Prefecture
**[[Minamisōma, Fukushima| Minamisōma]]
**[[Iitate, Fukushima|Iitate]]
**[[Date, Fukushima|Date]]
**[[Date, Fukushima|Date]]
**[[Iitate, Fukushima|Iitate]]
**[[Minamisōma, Fukushima|Minamisōma]]
**[[Shinchi, Fukushima|Shinchi]]
**[[Shinchi, Fukushima|Shinchi]]
*Miyagi Prefecture
*Miyagi Prefecture
**[[Marumori, Miyagi|Marumori]]
**[[Marumori, Miyagi|Marumori]]


==Climate==
===Climate===
Sōma has a [[Humid subtropical climate|humid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfa'') characterized by mild summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Sōma is 12.6&nbsp;°C. The average annual rainfall is 1260&nbsp;mm with September as the wettest month.The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 24.8&nbsp;°C, and lowest in January, at around 1.8&nbsp;°C.<ref>[https://en.climate-data.org/location/5385/ Sōma climate data]</ref>
Sōma has a [[Humid subtropical climate|humid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfa'') characterized by mild summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Sōma is 12.6&nbsp;°C. The average annual rainfall is 1260&nbsp;mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 24.8&nbsp;°C, and lowest in January, at around 1.8&nbsp;°C.<ref>[https://en.climate-data.org/location/5385/ Sōma climate data]</ref>
{{Weather box
|width=auto
|collapsed = Y
|single line = Y
|metric first = Y
|location = Sōma (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1976−present)
|Jan record high C = 18.4
|Feb record high C = 22.7
|Mar record high C = 26.0
|Apr record high C = 31.0
|May record high C = 32.5
|Jun record high C = 36.3
|Jul record high C = 36.8
|Aug record high C = 37.6
|Sep record high C = 35.7
|Oct record high C = 31.1
|Nov record high C = 26.4
|Dec record high C = 23.0
|Jan record low C = -11.9
|Feb record low C = -14.0
|Mar record low C = -8.5
|Apr record low C = -5.4
|May record low C = 1.6
|Jun record low C = 7.3
|Jul record low C = 11.7
|Aug record low C = 12.5
|Sep record low C = 7.3
|Oct record low C = -0.7
|Nov record low C = -3.9
|Dec record low C = -9.2
|Jan high C = 6.7
|Feb high C = 7.3
|Mar high C = 10.6
|Apr high C = 15.8
|May high C = 20.4
|Jun high C = 23.0
|Jul high C = 26.6
|Aug high C = 28.2
|Sep high C = 25.0
|Oct high C = 20.0
|Nov high C = 14.8
|Dec high C = 9.5
|Jan mean C = 2.2
|Feb mean C = 2.5
|Mar mean C = 5.4
|Apr mean C = 10.5
|May mean C = 15.5
|Jun mean C = 19.0
|Jul mean C = 22.7
|Aug mean C = 24.2
|Sep mean C = 20.8
|Oct mean C = 15.4
|Nov mean C = 9.7
|Dec mean C = 4.7
|Jan low C = -2.5
|Feb low C = -2.3
|Mar low C = 0.0
|Apr low C = 5.0
|May low C = 10.9
|Jun low C = 15.6
|Jul low C = 19.7
|Aug low C = 20.8
|Sep low C = 17.1
|Oct low C = 10.8
|Nov low C = 4.4
|Dec low C = -0.1
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 47.4
|Feb precipitation mm = 34.6
|Mar precipitation mm = 77.8
|Apr precipitation mm = 97.4
|May precipitation mm = 113.0
|Jun precipitation mm = 146.9
|Jul precipitation mm = 190.8
|Aug precipitation mm = 166.8
|Sep precipitation mm = 225.0
|Oct precipitation mm = 198.8
|Nov precipitation mm = 60.3
|Dec precipitation mm = 34.9
|year precipitation mm = 1381.2
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 4.2
|Feb precipitation days = 4.9
|Mar precipitation days = 7.9
|Apr precipitation days = 8.5
|May precipitation days = 9.2
|Jun precipitation days = 12.5
|Jul precipitation days = 13.7
|Aug precipitation days = 11.7
|Sep precipitation days = 11.9
|Oct precipitation days = 8.7
|Nov precipitation days = 5.8
|Dec precipitation days = 4.8
|Jan sun = 180.3
|Feb sun = 175.5
|Mar sun = 193.2
|Apr sun = 193.7
|May sun = 192.2
|Jun sun = 147.5
|Jul sun = 132.8
|Aug sun = 156.8
|Sep sun = 129.1
|Oct sun = 144.2
|Nov sun = 152.9
|Dec sun = 163.9
|year sun = 1961.9
|source 1 = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_a.php?prec_no=36&block_no=0285&year=&month=&day=&view=h0
|script-title=ja:観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = March 20, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_amd_ym.php?prec_no=36&block_no=0285&year=&month=&day=&view=h0
|script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = March 20, 2022}}</ref>}}


==Demographics==
==Demographics==
Per Japanese census data,<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-fukushima.php Sōma population statistics]</ref> the population of Sōma has remained the same over the past 40 years.
Per Japanese census data,<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-fukushima.php Sōma population statistics]</ref> the population of Sōma has remained the same over the past 40 years.
{{Historical populations
{| class="wikitable"
| 1920 | 27,858
|-
| 1930 | 31,627
! Census Year
| 1940 | 31,887
! Population
| 1950 | 44,375
|-
| 1960 | 41,352
| 1970
| 37,189
| 1970 | 37,189
| 1980 | 37,332
|-
| 1990 | 39,134
| 1980
| 2000 | 38,842
| 37,332
| 2010 | 37,817
|-
| 2020 | 34,631
| 1990
|align = none
| 39,134
| footnote =
|-
}}
| 2000
| 38,842
|-
| 2010
| 37,817
|}


==History==
==History==
The area of present-day Sōma was part of ancient [[Mutsu Province]], and has been settled since at least the [[Jōmon period]]. During the [[Edo period]], the area developed as the [[castle town]] of [[Sōma Domain]], home of the [[Sōma clan]] from the [[Kamakura period]] until the [[Boshin War]]. After the [[Meiji Restoration]], it was organized as part of [[Iwaki Province (1868)|Iwaki Province]]. With the establishment of the municipalities system on April 1, 1896, the area was organized into a number of towns and villages within the districts of [[Namekata District, Fukushima|Namekata]] and [[Uda District, Fukushima|Uda]]. In 1896, Namekata and Uda were merged to create [[Sōma District, Fukushima|Sōma District]]. The town of Nakamura was established on April 1, 1889. Nakamura was merged with seven neighbouring villages and raised to city status on March 31, 1954, becoming the city of Sōma.
The area of present-day Sōma was part of ancient [[Mutsu Province]], and has been settled since at least the [[Jōmon period]]. During the [[Edo period]], the area developed as the [[jōkamachi|castle town]] of [[Sōma Domain]], home of the [[Sōma clan]] from the [[Kamakura period]] until the [[Boshin War]]. After the [[Meiji Restoration]], it was organized as part of [[Iwaki Province (1868)|Iwaki Province]]. With the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1896, the area was organized into a number of towns and villages within the districts of [[Namekata District, Fukushima|Namekata]] and [[Uda District, Fukushima|Uda]]. In 1896, Namekata and Uda were merged to create [[Sōma District, Fukushima|Sōma District]]. The town of Nakamura was established on April 1, 1889. Nakamura was merged with seven neighbouring villages and raised to city status on March 31, 1954, becoming the city of Sōma.


===2011 earthquake and tsunami===
===2011 earthquake and tsunami===
The eastern, coastal portion of Sōma was inundated by [[tsunami]] flood waters following the magnitude 9.0 [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami]] off its coastline on March 11, 2011.<ref>[[Kyodo News]], "Survivors in trauma after life-changing nightmare day", ''[[The Japan Times]]'', 13 March 2011, p. 2.</ref> The tsunami reached up to approximately 4&nbsp;km inland in Sōma, flooded areas included Sōma Port and the Matsukawa-ura Bay area, up to the elevated Route 6 Sōma Bypass.<ref>[[NHK]], TV News Broadcast, 13 March 2011.</ref> The tsunami was measured to have been 9.3 meters or higher in Sōma.<ref>http://www.jma.go.jp/en/tsunami/observation_2_04_20110313180559.html [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]] tsunami observation data.</ref>
The eastern, coastal portion of Sōma was inundated by [[tsunami]] floodwaters following the magnitude 9.1 [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami]] off its coastline on March 11, 2011.<ref>[[Kyodo News]], "Survivors in trauma after life-changing nightmare day", ''[[The Japan Times]]'', 13 March 2011, p. 2.</ref> The tsunami reached up to approximately 4&nbsp;km inland in Sōma; flooded areas included Sōma Port and the Matsukawa-ura Bay area, up to the elevated [[Japan National Route 6|Route 6]] Sōma Bypass.<ref>[[NHK]], TV News Broadcast, 13 March 2011.</ref> The tsunami was measured to have been 9.3 meters or higher in Sōma.<ref>http://www.jma.go.jp/en/tsunami/observation_2_04_20110313180559.html [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]] tsunami observation data.</ref>


Sōma is about {{convert|45|km|miles|abbr=off}} north of [[Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant]], the site of the [[Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster|nuclear accident]] that followed the tsunami, and was thus not subject to mandatory evacuation.<ref>[http://fukushimaontheglobe.com/the-earthquake-and-the-nuclear-accident/evacuation-orders-and-restricted-areas Fukushima evacuation orders and restricted areas]]</ref>.
Sōma is about {{convert|45|km|miles|abbr=off}} north of [[Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant]], the site of the [[Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster|nuclear accident]] that followed the tsunami, and was thus not subject to mandatory evacuation.<ref>[http://fukushimaontheglobe.com/the-earthquake-and-the-nuclear-accident/evacuation-orders-and-restricted-areas Fukushima evacuation orders and restricted areas]</ref>


==Government==
==Government==
Sōma has a [[mayor-council]] form of government with a directly elected mayor and a [[unicameral]] city legislature of 20 members.<ref>[https://www.city.soma.fukushima.jp/gikai/meibo_20111130.html Sōma City Council membership list]{{ja}}</ref>
Sōma has a [[mayor-council]] form of government with a directly elected mayor and a [[unicameral]] city legislature of 20 members.<ref>[https://www.city.soma.fukushima.jp/gikai/meibo_20111130.html Sōma City Council membership list]{{in lang|ja}}</ref> Sōma, together with the town of [[Shinchi, Fukushima|Shinchi]] contributes one member to the Fukushima Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of [[Fukushima 1st district]] of the [[House of Representatives of Japan|lower house]] of the [[Diet of Japan]].


==Economy==
==Economy==
Sōma has a mixed economy, based on agriculture, commercial fishing and light manufacturing. The area is noted for its [[strawberry]] cultivation.
Sōma has a mixed economy, based on agriculture, commercial fishing and light manufacturing. The area is noted for its [[strawberry]] cultivation. The [[Shinchi Thermal Power Station]], a coal-fired [[thermal power station]] is located in Sōma.


==Education==
==Education==
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==Hospital==
==Hospital==
[[Soma General Hospital]], a public hospital with 240 beds, is located in Sōma.
[[Soma General Hospital]], a public hospital with 240 beds, is located in Sōma.


==Transportation==
==Transportation==
===Railway===
===Railway===
*[[East Japan Railway Company|JR East]] – [[Jōban Line]]
[[File:JR logo (east).svg|22px]] [[East Japan Railway Company]] (JR East) - [[Jōban Line]]
** {{STN|Nittaki}} - {{STN|Soma}}
* {{STN|Nittaki}} - {{STN|Soma}}


===Highway===
===Highway===
* {{jct|country=JPN|Exp|E6|dab1=J}} – Sōma Interchange
*[[Jōban Expressway]] – Soma IC
* {{jct|country=JPN|Exp|E13|dab1=TC}} – Sōma Interchange – Sōma Yamakami Interchange – Sōma Tamano Interchange
* [[Japan National Route 6]]
* [[Japan National Route 115]]
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|6}}
* [[Japan National Route 116]]
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|115}}
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|116}}


===Seaports===
===Seaports===
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==Local attractions==
==Local attractions==
*[[Matsukawaura Prefectural Natural Park]]
*The [[Sōma horse-chasing Festival]] held on July 23 to 25 every year is a designated an [[Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property]].<ref>[http://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails.asp] Agency for Cultural Affairs {{ja}}</ref>
*[[Mount Ryōzen]], National Place of Scenic Beauty and a National Historic Site
*The [[Sōma horse-chasing Festival]] held on July 23 to 25 every year is a designated an [[Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property]].<ref>[https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/302/28] [[Agency for Cultural Affairs]] {{in lang|ja}}</ref>
*[[Sōma Nakamura Castle]] ruins
*[[Sōma Nakamura Castle]] ruins
*Sōma Nakamura Shrine
*Sōma Nakamura Shrine
*[[Matsukawaura Prefectural Natural Park]]


== Noted people from Sōma ==
== Noted people from Sōma ==
*[[Tikashi Fukushima]], artist.
*[[Tochiazuma Tomoyori]] – sumo wrestler
*[[Takahiro Suzuki]] – professional baseball player
*[[Takahiro Suzuki]], professional baseball player
*[[Tochiazuma Tomoyori]], sumo wrestler


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


== Further reading ==
== Further reading ==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Soma, Fukushima}}
{{Commons category|Soma, Fukushima}}
*[http://www.city.soma.fukushima.jp/ Official Website] {{ja icon}}
*[http://www.city.soma.fukushima.jp/ Official Website] {{in lang|ja}}


{{Fukushima}}
{{Fukushima}}
{{2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami}}
{{2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Soma, Fukushima}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Soma, Fukushima}}
[[Category:Sōma, Fukushima| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Fukushima Prefecture]]
[[Category:Cities in Fukushima Prefecture]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Japan]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Japan]]
[[Category:Port settlements in Japan]]
[[Category:Port settlements in Japan]]
[[Category:Sōma, Fukushima| ]]

Latest revision as of 09:12, 22 November 2024

"Sōma" redirects here. For other uses, see Sōma (disambiguation).
Sōma
相馬市
City
Sōma City Hall
Sōma City Hall
Flag of Sōma
Flag
Official logo of Sōma
Emblem
Location of Sōma in Fukushima Prefecture
Location of Sōma in Fukushima Prefecture
Sōma is located in Japan
Sōma
Sōma
 
Coordinates: 37°47′48″N 140°55′10.7″E / 37.79667°N 140.919639°E / 37.79667; 140.919639
CountryJapan
RegionTōhoku
PrefectureFukushima
Government
 • MayorHidekiyo Tachiya
Area
 • Total
197.79 km2 (76.37 sq mi)
Population
 (February 29, 2020)
 • Total
34,631
 • Density180/km2 (450/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (Japan Standard Time)
Phone number0244-37-2117
Address13 Nakamura Ōtesaki, Sōma-shi, Fukushima-ken 976-8601
ClimateCfa
WebsiteOfficial website
Symbols
BirdJapanese bush warbler
FlowerSpring: sakura
Summer: rugosa rose
Autumn: balloon flower
Winter: sazanka
TreeJapanese black pine
Matsukawaura Lagoon

Sōma (相馬市, Sōma-shi) is a city located in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. As of 29 February 2020, the city had an estimated population of 34,631, and a population density of 180 persons per km2 in 14,358 households.[1] The total area of the city is 197.79 square kilometres (76.37 sq mi).

Geography

[edit]

Sōma is located in northeastern Fukushima Prefecture, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Abukuma Plateau to the west. Sōma is closer to Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture than it is to the prefectural capital of Fukushima.

Neighboring municipalities

[edit]

Climate

[edit]

Sōma has a humid climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) characterized by mild summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Sōma is 12.6 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1260 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 24.8 °C, and lowest in January, at around 1.8 °C.[2]

Climate data for Sōma (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1976−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 18.4
(65.1) 		22.7
(72.9) 		26.0
(78.8) 		31.0
(87.8) 		32.5
(90.5) 		36.3
(97.3) 		36.8
(98.2) 		37.6
(99.7) 		35.7
(96.3) 		31.1
(88.0) 		26.4
(79.5) 		23.0
(73.4) 		37.6
(99.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 6.7
(44.1) 		7.3
(45.1) 		10.6
(51.1) 		15.8
(60.4) 		20.4
(68.7) 		23.0
(73.4) 		26.6
(79.9) 		28.2
(82.8) 		25.0
(77.0) 		20.0
(68.0) 		14.8
(58.6) 		9.5
(49.1) 		17.3
(63.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) 2.2
(36.0) 		2.5
(36.5) 		5.4
(41.7) 		10.5
(50.9) 		15.5
(59.9) 		19.0
(66.2) 		22.7
(72.9) 		24.2
(75.6) 		20.8
(69.4) 		15.4
(59.7) 		9.7
(49.5) 		4.7
(40.5) 		12.7
(54.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −2.5
(27.5) 		−2.3
(27.9) 		0.0
(32.0) 		5.0
(41.0) 		10.9
(51.6) 		15.6
(60.1) 		19.7
(67.5) 		20.8
(69.4) 		17.1
(62.8) 		10.8
(51.4) 		4.4
(39.9) 		−0.1
(31.8) 		8.3
(46.9)
Record low °C (°F) −11.9
(10.6) 		−14.0
(6.8) 		−8.5
(16.7) 		−5.4
(22.3) 		1.6
(34.9) 		7.3
(45.1) 		11.7
(53.1) 		12.5
(54.5) 		7.3
(45.1) 		−0.7
(30.7) 		−3.9
(25.0) 		−9.2
(15.4) 		−14.0
(6.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 47.4
(1.87) 		34.6
(1.36) 		77.8
(3.06) 		97.4
(3.83) 		113.0
(4.45) 		146.9
(5.78) 		190.8
(7.51) 		166.8
(6.57) 		225.0
(8.86) 		198.8
(7.83) 		60.3
(2.37) 		34.9
(1.37) 		1,381.2
(54.38)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 4.2 4.9 7.9 8.5 9.2 12.5 13.7 11.7 11.9 8.7 5.8 4.8 103.8
Mean monthly sunshine hours 180.3 175.5 193.2 193.7 192.2 147.5 132.8 156.8 129.1 144.2 152.9 163.9 1,961.9
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[3][4]

Demographics

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Per Japanese census data,[5] the population of Sōma has remained the same over the past 40 years.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 27,858—    
1930 31,627+13.5%
1940 31,887+0.8%
1950 44,375+39.2%
1960 41,352−6.8%
1970 37,189−10.1%
1980 37,332+0.4%
1990 39,134+4.8%
2000 38,842−0.7%
2010 37,817−2.6%
2020 34,631−8.4%

History

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The area of present-day Sōma was part of ancient Mutsu Province, and has been settled since at least the Jōmon period. During the Edo period, the area developed as the castle town of Sōma Domain, home of the Sōma clan from the Kamakura period until the Boshin War. After the Meiji Restoration, it was organized as part of Iwaki Province. With the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1896, the area was organized into a number of towns and villages within the districts of Namekata and Uda. In 1896, Namekata and Uda were merged to create Sōma District. The town of Nakamura was established on April 1, 1889. Nakamura was merged with seven neighbouring villages and raised to city status on March 31, 1954, becoming the city of Sōma.

2011 earthquake and tsunami

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The eastern, coastal portion of Sōma was inundated by tsunami floodwaters following the magnitude 9.1 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami off its coastline on March 11, 2011.[6] The tsunami reached up to approximately 4 km inland in Sōma; flooded areas included Sōma Port and the Matsukawa-ura Bay area, up to the elevated Route 6 Sōma Bypass.[7] The tsunami was measured to have been 9.3 meters or higher in Sōma.[8]

Sōma is about 45 kilometres (28 miles) north of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the site of the nuclear accident that followed the tsunami, and was thus not subject to mandatory evacuation.[9]

Government

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Sōma has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 20 members.[10] Sōma, together with the town of Shinchi contributes one member to the Fukushima Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Fukushima 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

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Sōma has a mixed economy, based on agriculture, commercial fishing and light manufacturing. The area is noted for its strawberry cultivation. The Shinchi Thermal Power Station, a coal-fired thermal power station is located in Sōma.

Education

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Sōma has nine public elementary schools and four public junior high schools operated by the city and two public high schools operated by the Fukushima Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school.

Hospital

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Soma General Hospital, a public hospital with 240 beds, is located in Sōma.

Transportation

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Railway

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East Japan Railway Company (JR East) - Jōban Line

Highway

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Seaports

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Local attractions

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Noted people from Sōma

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References

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  1. ^ Sōma city official home page(in Japanese)
  2. ^ Sōma climate data
  3. ^ 観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）. JMA. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  4. ^ 気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）. JMA. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  5. ^ Sōma population statistics
  6. ^ Kyodo News, "Survivors in trauma after life-changing nightmare day", The Japan Times, 13 March 2011, p. 2.
  7. ^ NHK, TV News Broadcast, 13 March 2011.
  8. ^ http://www.jma.go.jp/en/tsunami/observation_2_04_20110313180559.html JMA tsunami observation data.
  9. ^ Fukushima evacuation orders and restricted areas
  10. ^ Sōma City Council membership list(in Japanese)
  11. ^ [1] Agency for Cultural Affairs (in Japanese)

Further reading

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Sasaki, Takashi (2013). Fukushima: vivir el desastre (in Spanish). Translated by F. Javier de Esteban Baquedano. Gijón, Spain: Satori Ediciones. ISBN 978-84-941125-3-9.

[edit]
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