Shikaoi, Hokkaido
Encyclopedia
is a town
Towns of Japan
A town is a local administrative unit in Japan. It is a local public body along with prefecture , city , and village...

 located in Katō District
Kato District, Hokkaido
is a district located in Tokachi Subprefecture, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2004, the district has an estimated population of 59,819 and a density of 32.76 persons per km². The total area is 1,825.78 km².-Towns:*Kamishihoro*Otofuke*Shihoro*Shikaoi-History:...

, Tokachi
Tokachi Subprefecture
is a subprefecture of Hokkaidō, Japan corresponding to the old province of Tokachi. As of 2004 its estimated population is 360,802 and its area is 10,830.99 km².Tokachi-Obihiro Airport is in the city of Obihiro.- Geography :-Towns and villages by district:...

, Hokkaidō
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
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

. The name "Shikaoi" means "Following (hunting) deer".

As of 2008, the town has an estimated 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 5,723 and a 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 14.52 persons per km². The total area is 399.69 km².There are several towns around Shikaoi including Shimizu
Shimizu, Hokkaido
is located at the base of the Hidaka Mountain Range in the Kamikawa District, Tokachi, Hokkaidō, Japan. The name Shimizu is taken from the Ainu word Pekerebetsu, which means bright clean river. This town of 10,243, primary source of income is through agriculture. This town, like many others in...

, Shintoku
Shintoku, Hokkaido
is a town located in Kamikawa District, Tokachi, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2007, the town has an estimated population of 6,993 and a density of 6.98 persons per km². The total area is 1,063.79 km². Surrounding towns include Sahoro, Shimizu, and Shikaoi....

, and Shihoro
Shihoro, Hokkaido
is a town located in Katō District, Tokachi, Hokkaidō, Japan.As of 2008, the town had an estimated population of 6,733 and a density of 26.08 persons per km². The total area is 259.13 km².-External links:* in Japanese...


History

Shikaoi's beginning can be traced back to 1902, when Mr.Yamada of Tokyo settled into what is now the main street of Shikaoi. By 1913 a train station opened up the flow of settlers from Honshu
Honshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...

. Not long after this, a post office, a police station and several small restaurants opened.

In 1920, the population of Shikaoi was 4,526 people (822 families). In April 1921 it became the Shikaoi village. Kasai Railway was laid in 1923 to aid the transporting of beets from the region. Also, general cargo and passenger transport were permitted in May 1925. A big role was played for industrial development of Shikaoi by the upgrading a network of roads and railway.

The population increased rapidly by the settlement of Self-Defense Force Stationing Grounds after the World War. (Population 10,448 people, 1,970 families in the 1960 census) The Shikaoi region and Shikaoi Town came together in 1959.

After a peak population (10,778 persons) in 1961 it decreased gradually by the influence of cold-weather damage to agriculture. But after 1993, it became stable with many efforts, including improved agriculture.

In 1984, Shikaoi began a sister town relationship with Stony Plain, Alberta
Stony Plain, Alberta
Stony Plain is a large town in rural Alberta, Canada, just west of Edmonton.Stony Plain is a rapidly growing town with strong historical roots. It is located west of Spruce Grove and surrounded by Parkland County. The town is governed by one mayor and six councillors. The region is dominated by...

, Canada. Since that time, ongoing exchange programs have kept the relationship strong. The exchange program has also provided Shikaoi the opportunity to advance by visiting ideas gathered during exchanges.

External links

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