Minamiaso, Kumamoto

Minamiaso 南阿蘇村
Village
View of Mount Aso from Minami-Aso
Location of Minamiaso in Kumamoto Prefecture
Minamiaso Location in Japan
Coordinates: 32°49′N 131°2′E / 32.817°N 131.033°E / 32.817; 131.033Coordinates: 32°49′N 131°2′E / 32.817°N 131.033°E / 32.817; 131.033
Country	Japan
Region	Kyushu
Prefecture	Kumamoto Prefecture
District	Aso
Government
• Mayor	Toshiya Nagano (since February 2005)
Area
• Total	137.30 km2 (53.01 sq mi)
Population (December 31, 2009)
• Total	12,015
• Density	88/km2 (230/sq mi)
Symbols
• Tree	Chamaecyparis obtusa
• Flower	Pieris japonica
• Bird	Emberiza cioides
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address	145-3 Kain, Minamiaso-mura, Aso-gun, Kumamoto-ken 869-1411
Website	www.minamiaso-v.kumamoto-sgn.jp

Minamiaso (南阿蘇村, Minamiaso-mura^?, literally "South Aso") is a village in Aso District, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan.

It was formed on February 13, 2005 from the merger of the villages of Chōyō, Hakusui and Kugino. Neighbouring towns are Takamori, Ozu, and Nishihara.

As of December 31, 2009, the village has an estimated population of 12,015 (5,776 male, 6,239 female) and a population density of 91.2 persons per km². The total area is 137.30 km².

Minamiaso is situated within Aso Caldera, one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world. For more information, refer to the entry on Mt. Aso.

Minamiaso was once three separate villages: Chōyō, Hakusui and Kugino. In 2005, it was decided that these villages would merge along with neighboring area Tateno to become Minamiaso village, which would stretch between Ozu and Takamori.

Due to declining birth rate, aging population and the opportunity to share administrative resources, discussions between the three villages (Chōyō, Hakusui and Kugino) began on April 1, 2003. The merger was complete on February 13, 2005.