Sakado, Saitama
Geography. Sakado is located in the geographic center of Saitama Prefecture, about 40 kilometers from downtown Tokyo. The terrain is generally flat. The Koma River flows from the southwest to the northeast of the city. Surrounding municipalities. Saitama Prefecture Climate. Sakado has a Humid subtropical climate (Köppen "Cfa") characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Sakado is 14.6 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1382 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.5 °C, and lowest  in January, at around 3.7 °C. Demographics. Per Japanese census data, the population of Sakado has increased rapidly from the 1970s due to new town developments. History. Sakado-juku was a post station on the Nikkō Wakiōkan highway connecting Hachiōji with Nikkō from the Muromachi period onwards. During the late Edo period and early Meiji period, the area was noted for sericulture. The village of Sakado was created within Iruma District, Saitama with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889 and was elevated to city status on December 10, 1896. On July 1, 1954, Sakado  annexed the neighboring villages of Miyoshino, Issai, Oya and Suguro. On September 1, 1976, Sakado was elevated to city status. Government. Sakado has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 22 members. Sakado contributes one member to the Saitama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Saitama 10th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan. Economy. Sakado is a regional commercial center with some light and precision manufacturing and food processing, and is increasing a commuter town for Tokyo Metropolis. Education. Elementary  and junior high schools. Sakado has 11 public elementary schools and seven public middle schools operated by the city government, and two public high schools operated by the Saitama Prefectural Board of Education. There is also one national high school and one private high school. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped. Transportation. Railway. Tōbu Railway - Tōbu Tōjō Line City mascot. The city mascot was created in 2006 to mark the 30th anniversary of Sakado gaining city status.