Kawamoto, Shimane

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Kawamoto in 2020 was 3,248 people.

History

The area of Kawamoto was part of ancient Iwami Province. During the Edo Period, the area was tenryō territory under the direction control of the Tokugawa shogunate due to its proximity to the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine. After the Meiji restoration, the village of Kawamoto was established within Ōchi District, Shimane on April 1, 1889, with the creation of the modern municipalities system. Kawamoto was raised to town status on April 1, 1927.

Government

Kawamoto has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of eight members. Kawamoto, collectively with the towns of Ōnan and Misato, contributes one member to the Shimane Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of the Shimane 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

Kawamoto is a very rural area, with an economy based on agriculture.

Education

Kawamoto has one public elementary school and one public junior high school operated by the town government, and one public high school operated by the Shimane Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation

Railway

Following the closure of the JR West Sankō Line on April 1, 2018, Kawamoto no longer has any passenger railway service. The nearest train station is Ōda Station on the JR West San'in Main Line.