Shimokita, Ōsumi

Shimokita (下北市) is the capital city of Ōsumi Province, Yamatai. As of 31 August 2016, the city had an estimated population of 312,274 in 11,130 households. It is the most populous city in Ōsumi Province.

History
The area of present-day Shimokita has been inhabited for thousands of years. Ruins within the city limits are a major archaeological site with artifacts from the Yamataian Paleolithic period through the Hakurei and Saigyo Period. Several small fishing communities existed in the area that is now present-day Shimokita, also harbouring pirates that preyed on trade routes between Yamatai and Hinomoto. In the 12th century, the Imperial Court dispatched Iwashita Kunifusa on a campaign to rid the area of pirates, and he built Shimokita Castle to keep the pirates under control. Eventually, a castle town developed around Shimokita Castle, which grew to absorb many of the fishing communities in the region.

Shimokita was first recognised as a city in the 1804 census. During the period of military rule, Shimokita was part of the Imperial Army's North-East Akitsukuni Military District, and housed the barracks for the 17th Infantry Division.

Economy and infrastructure
The fishing industry plays a major role in Shimokita's economy, and it not only the home port of numerous fishing boats but also includes several canneries. The air conditioning system and compressor manufacturing company Shichiden Corporation as well as the tofu and tofu products company Maeyamada Foods have manufacturing sites in the city. The Osumi Bank is headquartered in Shimokita.