Minamiaiki, Nagano
Geography. Minamiaiki is located in mountainous eastern Nagano Prefecture, bordered by Gunma Prefecture to the east. More than 90% of the village area is covered by mountains and forest, and the village is at an average altitude of between 1000 and 1200 meters. Minamiaiki Dam is located within this village. Demographics. Per Japanese census data, the population of Minamiaiki has remained declined over the past 50 years. Climate. The village has a humid continental climate characterized by warm and humid summers, and cold winters (Köppen climate classification "Dfb"). The average annual temperature in Minamiaiki is 7.4 °C . The average annual rainfall is 1537 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 20.1 °C, and lowest in January, at around -4.7 °C. History. The area of present-day Minamiaiki was part of ancient Shinano Province, and was mentioned in Muromachi period records. The area was part of the "tenryō" territories under the direct administration of the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period. The present village of Minamiaiki was created with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Education. Minamiaiki has one public elementary  school operated by the village government. The village shares a public middle school with neighboring Kitaaika. The village does not have a high school.