Mihama, Aichi
Geography. Mihama is located in the center of Chita Peninsula in southern Aichi Prefecture, bordered by Mikawa Bay to the east and Ise Bay to the west. Part of the town’s area is within the borders of the Mikawa Wan Quasi-National Park. Demographics. Per Japanese census data, the population of Mihama peaked at around the year 2005 and has been in slow decline since. Climate. The town has a climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and relatively mild winters (Köppen climate classification "Cfa"). The average annual temperature in Mihama is 15.6 °C. The average  annual rainfall is 1737 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.4 °C, and lowest in January, at around 4.8 °C. History. The villages of Kōwa and Noma were established within Chita District, Aichi with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on October 1, 1889. Kōwa was raised to town status on May 6, 1903 and Noma on July 1, 1942 The town of Mihama was established on April 1, 1955 through the merger of the towns of Kōwa and Noma. On March 31, 1957, the area  of the town expanded when the neighboring town of Kosugaya was dissolved, and divided between Mihama and Tokoname. During March 2006, discussions were held to merge Mihama with the town of Minamichita to the south to form the new city of “Minamicentrair” named after the popular nickname for Chūbu Centrair International Airport, but the merger proposal was strongly opposed by the majority of the inhabitants of Minamichita, and the merger did not take place. Economy. The primary sector dominates the economy of Mihama, notably commercial fishing and agriculture. Transportation. Railway. Meitetsu – Kōwa Line