Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Mihama has declined in recent decades.

History

Mihama is part of ancient Wakasa Province. During the Edo period, the area was part of the holdings of Obama Domain. Following the Meiji restoration, it was organised into part of Mikata District in Fukui Prefecture. With the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889, the villages of Kitasaigō, Minamisaigō, Mimi, and Santō were established. The four villages merged to form the town of Mihama on February 11, 1954.

On August 9, 2004, a non-radioactive steam leak killed five and burnt twelve others in the nearby Mihama Nuclear Power Plant; the high-pressure steam pipe lost 85% of its wall thickness and failed five days before its first inspection since 1976.

Government

Mihama has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town legislature of 14 members. Mihama, collectively with the city of Obama and town of Wakasa, contributes three members to the Fukui Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Fukui 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The economy of Mihama, previously dependent on commercial fishing and agriculture, is now very heavily dependent on the nuclear power industry. The closure of the Mihama Nuclear Power Plant since the 2011 Fukushima Nuclear Disaster for ten years has crippled the local economy. The plant reopened in late 2022.

Education

Mihama has three public elementary schools and one public middle school operated by the town government. The town does not have a high school. There is a special education school for the handicapped operated by the Fukui Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation

Railway

  • 20px JR West - Obama Line
  • ,

Highway

  • 25px|link=|alt= Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway

International relations

  • Shimen District, New Taipei City, Taiwan, friendship city

Local attractions

  • Lake Suigetsu
  • Mikata Five Lakes, a Ramsar site
  • Wakasa Wan Quasi-National Park

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Suishohama beach.jpg|Suishohama beach

Mihama 04780028 (8389262048).jpg|Mihama Nuclear Power Plant

Mihama Station.jpg|Mihama Station

</gallery>

References

  • Tourist website of Mihama