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Okushiri 奥尻町 |
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Okushiri
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| Coordinates: 42°10′N 139°31′E / 42.167°N 139.517°E | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Hokkaidō |
| Prefecture | Hokkaidō (Hiyama) |
| District | Okushiri |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Ryōji Wada |
| Area | |
| - Total | 142.98 km2 (55.2 sq mi) |
| Population (March 2008) |
3,442 |
| - Density | 24.5/km2 (63.5/sq mi) |
| City Symbols | |
| - Tree | Japanese Yew |
| - Flower | Rugosa Rose |
| Website | Okushiri Town |
| Phone number | 01397-2-3111 |
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806 Okushiri, Okushiri-chō, Okushiri-gun, Hokkaidō |
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Okushiri (奥尻町 Okushiri-chō) is a town encompassing all of Okushiri Island, located in Okushiri District, Hiyama, Hokkaidō, Japan.
As of 2008, the town has an estimated population of 3,442 and a density of 24.5 persons per km². The total area is 142.98 km².
Hiyama Prefectural Natural Park encompasses the entire island and town.
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On July 12, 1993[1], the Southwest Hokkaidō Open Sea earthquake (北海道南西沖地震) of magnitude 7.8[1] in the Sea of Japan off southwest Hokkaidō created a devastating tsunami. This tsunami killed 198.[1] people in the town, despite a tsunami warning system and Seawall, and also caused landslides on the hills above. 32 people went missing, including 3 in Russia and 129 were injured. The subsequent fire burned down much of what remained. The island was reshaped by the tsunami, which was 10 meters high in town. The tsunami struck within five minutes of the earthquake, leaving residents absolutely no warning.
This was probably the world's first tsunami recorded by personal camcorders.
A separate earthquake produced a minor tsunami in 1983 on the island, but with no injuries or deaths.
The name Okushiri comes from the Ainu name Ikusyun-shiri.
Iku means other side and shiri means
island.[2]
Okushiri Airport serves the island.
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