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Gotō, Nagasaki

Gotō
五島市
City
Douzaki Church
Douzaki Church
Flag of Gotō
Flag
Official seal of Gotō
Symbol
Location of Gotō in Nagasaki Prefecture
Location of Gotō in Nagasaki Prefecture
Gotō is located in Japan
Gotō
Gotō
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 32°42′N 128°50′E / 32.700°N 128.833°E / 32.700; 128.833Coordinates: 32°42′N 128°50′E / 32.700°N 128.833°E / 32.700; 128.833
Country Japan
Region Kyushu
Prefecture Nagasaki Prefecture
Government
 • Mayor Ikuko Nakao (since September 2004)
Area
 • Total 420.81 km2 (162.48 sq mi)
Population (March 31, 2017)
 • Total 37,775
 • Density 90/km2 (230/sq mi)
Symbols
 • Tree Ficus superba
 • Flower Crinum asiaticum
 • Bird Japanese white-eye
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address 853-8501
Website www3.city.goto.nagasaki.jp

Gotō (五島市, Gotō-shi) is a city in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. It comprises the south-west half of the Gotō Islands plus (uninhabited) and archipelagos in the East China Sea. Although the core islands of city lay some 100 kilometers from Nagasaki, the other archipelagos lay 60 km further to South-West. The city consists of 11 inhabited and 52 uninhabited islands. The three main islands of the city are Fukue, Hisaka, and Naru.

As of March 31, 2017, the city has an estimated population of 37,775 and a population density of 90 persons per km2. The total area is 420.81 km2.

The area now comprising Gotō City was a port of call on the trade route between Japan and Tang Dynasty China in the Nara period. Noted Buddhist prelate Kukai stopped at Gotō in 806. The islands came under the control of the Gotō clan from the Muromachi period and was the location of intense European missionary activity in the late 16th century, which converted most of the population to the Kirishitan faith. After the start of the Tokugawa bakufu, the area was part of Fukue Domain in the Edo period. Fukue City was established in 1954. Most of the town was destroyed in a fire in 1962.

The modern city of Gotō was established on August 1, 2004, from the merger of the city of Fukue with the towns of Kishiku, Miiraku, Naru, Tamanoura and Tomie (all from Minamimatsuura District). The population of the area has declined from over 60,000 inhabitants in 1980 due to economic migration and aging population issues.


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