Yoron, Kagoshima

Yoron (与論町, Yoron-chō) is a town located on Yoronjima, in Ōshima District, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.

Yoron 与論町
Town
Yoron Port
Flag Seal
Location of Yoron in Kagoshima Prefecture
Yoron
Coordinates: 27°2′34″N 128°25′40″E
Country	Japan
Region	Kyushu (Amami Islands)
Prefecture	Kagoshima Prefecture
District	Ōshima
Government
• -Mayor	Seigo Minami
Area
• Total	20.49 km2 (7.91 sq mi)
Population  (October 1, 2020)
• Total	5,115
• Density	250/km2 (600/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
- Tree	Banyan and Kuroki (Symplocos)
-Flower	Hibiscus
Phone number	0997-97-3111
Address	32-1 Chabana, Yoron-chō, Ōshima-gun, Kagoshima-ken 891-9301
Website	www.yoron.jp

As of October 2020, the town has an estimated population of 5,115 and a population density of 250 persons per km². The total area is 20.49  km². Much of the island is within the boundaries of the Amami Guntō National Park.

Geography

Yoron occupies the entire island of Yoronjima, in the Amami archipelago of the Satsunan Islands, and administratively borders Okinawa Prefecture.

Climate

The climate is classified as humid subtropical (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with very warm summers and mild winters. Precipitation is high throughout the year, but is highest in the months of May, June and September. The area is subject to frequent typhoons.

History

On April 1, 1908, Yoronshima was administratively divided into six villages. From February 28, 1946 until December 25, 1953, Yoronshima, along with the other Amami Islands, was administered by the United States. The six villages were merged to form the town of Yoron on January 1, 1963. Proposals to merge Yoronshima with China and Wadomari on the neighboring island of Okinoerabujima in 2003 were overwhelmingly rejected by voters on both islands.

Transportation

Yoron Airport (IATA: RNJ; ICAO: RORY) serves travellers to and from the island. Japan Air Commuter flies to Kagoshima and Okinoerabu Airports, and Ryukyu Air Commuter provides service to Naha Airport.

There is a regular ferry service from Yoron Port to Kagoshima, Kobe, Okinawa, and the surrounding Amami Islands.

Education

Kagoshima Prefecture operates Kagoshima Prefectural Yoron High School [ja].

The municipality's Yoron Town Board of Education operates Yoron Junior High School (JA) and three elementary schools: Chahana (茶花小学校), Nama (JA), and Yoron (与論小学校).^[1]

Sister cities

• Mykonos, Greece, since 1985