Mihama (美浜町, Mihama-chō) is a town located in Fukui Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 May 2018[update], the city had an estimated population of 9,643 in 3175 households and the population density of 63 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the town was 152.35 square kilometres (58.82 sq mi).
Mihama has a Humid climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm, wet summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Mihama is 15.0 °C (59.0 °F). The average annual rainfall is 2,196.2 mm (86.46 in) with December as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.0 °C (80.6 °F), and lowest in January, at around 4.3 °C (39.7 °F).[2]
Climate data for Mihama (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present)
Per Japanese census data,[4] the population of Mihama has declined in recent decades.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1970
13,157
—
1980
13,036
−0.9%
1990
13,222
+1.4%
2000
11,630
−12.0%
2010
10,563
−9.2%
2020
9,179
−13.1%
History
Mihama is part of ancient Wakasa Province. During the Edo period, the area was part of the holdings of Obama Domain. Following the Meiji restoration, it was organised into part of Mikata District in Fukui Prefecture. With the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889, the villages of Kitasaigō, Minamisaigō, Mimi, and Santō were established. The four villages merged to form the town of Mihama on February 11, 1954.
On August 9, 2004, a non-radioactive steam leak killed five and burnt twelve others in the nearby Mihama Nuclear Power Plant; the high-pressure steam pipe lost 85% of its wall thickness and failed five days before its first inspection since 1976.[5]