Yomitan

Yomitan is located on the western coast of the central part of Okinawa Island. Administrative divisions The village includes twenty-three wards. • Furugen () • Gima () • Hija () • Hijabashi () • Iramina () • Kina () • Makibaru () • Nagata () • Nagahama () • Namihira () • Ōki () • Ōwan () • Oyashi () • Senaha () • Sobe () • Ōsoe () • Takashiho () • Toguchi () • Tokeshi () • Toya () • Uechi () • Uza () • Zakimi () == History ==

Originally known as , it was part of the Kingdom of Chūzan during the Sanzan period. In 1416, the Aji of Yomitanzan Magiri, Gosamaru, helped Shō Hashi invade Hokuzan. After Japan annexed Ryukyu in 1879, Yomitanzan continued to be a magiri; all of the magiri were abolished in 1907 and Yomitanzan became a village. After the war, the village was renamed Yomitan. == Population ==

As of December 2012, the village had an estimated population of 40,517 and a population density of . The total area of the village is . This is the largest village in Japan by population. == Government ==

The mayor of Yomitan is Denjitsu Ishimine. As Yomitan is designated as a village, it is under the administration of Nakagami District. Once Yomitan reaches a population of over 50,000 it can then be classified as a city , thereby gaining a measure of autonomy and independence. The village has adopted as its symbol the flying phoenix, playing on the fact that the shape of the village resembles a bird in flight. The village flower is the bougainvillea. == Industry ==

6% of the working population of Yomitan is engaged in so-called "primary" industries, including agriculture and fishing. 25% is engaged in the "secondary" industries, i.e. food processing and manufacturing; and 69% is engaged in the "tertiary" industries, services and trade. == Agriculture ==

The chief cash crop of Yomitan is the chrysanthemum, which, unlike in mainland Japan, can be grown in Okinawa during the winter months with the aid of artificial light at night. Chrysanthemums are followed in value by sugarcane and pigs, in that order. Sugarcane is particularly suited to cultivation in Okinawa, as it does not require significant infrastructure (such as irrigation), grows well in Okinawa's soil, and can be left unattended for 18 months until harvest. The harvesting, refining, and butchering of commercial agricultural products are coordinated by the National Mutual Insurance Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives (JA), and the growers receive a share of the profits. Another important crop in Yomitan is the , if not for its value as a cash crop then as part of the local culture and tourist industry; the town promotes itself as the , and holds a contest each year. Sweet potato cultivation first reached Japan via Okinawa from present-day Taiwan, predating rice cultivation, and either Yomitan or neighboring Kadena can lay claim as the first cultivators of sweet potato in Japan. == Culture ==

In addition to beautiful and largely unspoiled beaches, Yomitan attracts tourists for its folk crafts, including Ryukyuan pottery (yachimun, or in Okinawan), glassblowing (Ryukyu glass being a famed product), sugar making, and salt making. There are several facilities where tourists can try their hand at these crafts and take their handiwork home as souvenirs. Also of interest are the remains of . ==Cultural and natural assets==

Yomitan Village hosts twelve designated or registered tangible cultural properties and monuments, at the national, prefectural or municipal level. • Name (Japanese) (Type of registration) ===Cultural Properties=== • Hija Bridge Inscription () (Municipal) • Yomitan Zero Milestone () (Municipal) • Zakimi Castle Site () (Prefectural) ===Folk Cultural Properties=== • Kina Kannondō Shrine () (Municipal) • Kina Tūtīkū Praying Site () (Municipal) • Tī-uhaka Tomb () (Municipal) ===Historic Sites=== • Bunker () (Municipal) • Chibichirigama Cave () (National) • Kina Banjo Guards House () (Municipal) • Momenbaru Site () (National) • Monument to the Loyal Dead () (Municipal) • Nagahama Shell Mound () (Municipal) • Zakimi Castle Site () == U.S. military bases ==

Approximately , which is 36% of the area of the village, is leased to the Ministry of Defense of Japan and used as United States military bases under the U.S.–Japan Status of Forces Agreement. Areas outside the current boundary of Torii Station were developed as American family housing, but have been returned to Okinawan ownership. Two facilities, Torii Communication Station (Army; 194 ha) and a part of Kadena Ammunition Storage Area (Air Force and Marine; 1066 ha), are located in the village. Senaha Communication Site (Air Force; 61 ha), Sobe Communication Site (aka Elephant Cage, decommissioned in 2006, Navy; 54 ha), and Yomitan Auxiliary Airfield (Marine; 191 ha) were returned in 2007 and have been developed into the Yomitan Village Office and civic facilities, including running tracks and baseball fields. == Transportation ==

Yomitan is connected to Naha and other areas of Okinawa Island by bus. The town is crossed by Japan National Route 58. == Notable people from Yomitan ==

• Tsutomu Aragaki, tenor • Keiko Itokazu, politician • Tokushin Yamauchi, politician • Chōbyō Yara, former politician ==References==