is a city located in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 79,459 in 31,748 households, and a population density of 810 persons per km². The total area of the city is .
Geography
Natori is in east-central Miyagi Prefecture, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east. Natori is located in the fertile plains of the Natori River and the Masuda River deltas; however, the Natori River is actually not inside Natori city limits. Traditionally, the area known as Natori District extended from the Natori River in the north and into the west. However, these regions have been absorbed into the greater Sendai area and are no longer part of Natori.
Neighboring municipalities
Miyagi Prefecture
Sendai
Murata
Iwanuma
Climate
Natori has a humid climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) characterized by mild summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature in Natori is . The average annual rainfall is with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around , and lowest in January, at around .
Demographics
Per Japanese census data, the population of Natori has increased over the past 40 years.
History
The area of present-day Natori was part of ancient Mutsu Province, and was under control of the Date clan of Sendai Domain during the Edo period, under the Tokugawa shogunate. In 1867, Natori came within the borders of the new Rikuzen Province, which later became part of Miyagi Prefecture. With the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889 Natori District was formed with six villages: Masuda, Higashi-Taga, Shimo-Masuda, Tatekoshi, Aishiwa and Takadate. On April 1, 1896 Masuda was elevated to town status as was Higashi-Taga on April 1, 1928. On April 1, 1955 the towns of Masuda and Yuriage, and the villages of Shimo-Masuda, Tatekoshi, Aishiwa and Takadate were merged to create the town of Natori, which was elevated to city status on October 1, 1958. The official boundaries of Natori City have changed since 1958, as Sendai City redefines its area to include districts to the north and west of Natori.
Damage and casualties from 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
The area was badly affected by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
Large portions of the coastal area including Sendai Airport was severely damaged by the tsunami.
On March 14, rescue workers arrived in an area of Natori known as Yuriage and found few survivors, as much of the Yuriage area was wiped out. The population had 30 minutes between the earthquake and the tsunami and though many had time to escape city officials initially said it was impossible to determine the number of casualties.
Government
Natori has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 21 members. Natori contributes two seats to the Miyagi Prefectural legislature. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Miyagi 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
Natori has a mixed economy. Based on data collected in 2000: 6.4% of the population of Natori is involved in the primary agricultural and fishing industries. 26.1% of the population of Natori is involved in secondary processing industries, particularly at the Nikon Camera factory and at the Sapporo Breweries factory.
Public facilities
Medical facilities
Natori is home to the Miyagi Prefectural Psychiatric Medical Center and the Prefectural Cancer Center.
Educational and cultural facilities
Natori's educational facilities include a private university (Shokei Gakuin University).
The city has eleven public elementary schools and five public junior high schools operated by the city government and two public high schools operated by the Miyagi Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped and two technical schools.
The Natori City Library has a collection of approximately 140,000 books (two books for every person in the city) as of 2002.
The has a medium-sized hall and rehearsal room, a music room, a cultural centre which includes an exhibition gallery, a professional concert hall and stage, catering facilities and meeting rooms, and other general-purpose facilities for communal use. The structure was designed by Fumihiko Maki and is considered a local attraction.
Additionally, Natori is home to a Media Resource Centre, a community gym, the Miyagi Cycling Centre, and several public beaches and swimming pools.