Memanbetsu, Hokkaidō

Memanbetsu (女満別町, Memanbetsu-chō^?) was a town located in Abashiri District, Hokkaidō, Japan.

As of 2004, the town had an estimated population of 5,925 and a population density of 37.26 persons per km². The total area was 159.02 km².

On March 31, 2006 Memanbetsu merged with the village of Higashimokoto, from Abashiri District, to form the new town of Ōzora.

Transportation

In the area of the former town, Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) operates two stations along the Sekihoku Line:

• Memambetsu Station
• Nishi-Memambetsu Station

Both are named after the former town.

Memanbetsu Airport is named after the former town.

History

• 1890 In order to get lumber for making matchsticks, lumber camps were established
• 1898 Agriculture begins, starting full-scale settlement
• 1912 Railroad constructed between Kitami and Abashiri, Memanbetsu station constructed, after this, large numbers of settlers began arriving, a small village began to develop
• April, 1921 Memanbetsu Village founded, split from Abashiri City
• April, 1951 Memanbetsu becomes a Town.
• On March 31, 2006 Memanbetsu was merged with the village of Higashimokoto, from Abashiri District, to form the new town of Ōzora.

External links

Japan portal

• Internet Archive of Memanbetsu's website (Japanese)