Owase 4.39

Owase is a city located in Mie Prefecture, Japan.As of August 2015, the city had an estimated population of 17,953 and a population density of 93.2 persons per km2. The total area was 192.71sqkm.GeographyOwase is located in southeastern Kii Peninsula, in southern Mie Prefecture, facing the Pacific Ocean. Ninety percent of the city area is forested or coastal riasNeighboring municipalitiesMie PrefectureKumanoKihokuKihōKamikitayamaHistoryThe area of present-day Owase was part of ancient Shima Province, but was transferred to Kii Province in 1582. During this time, large-scale forestry projects were begun. The town of Owase was established on April 1, 1889 within Kitamuro District of Mie Prefecture.The modern city of Owase was established on June 20, 1954 by the merger of the town of Owase with the surrounding villages of Sugari and Kuki and the villages of Kitawauchi and Minamiwauchi (both from Minamimuro District).EconomyDue to its location, Owase is mainly supported by its commercial fishery and forestry industries. Yellowtail, amberjack, Japanese horse mackerel, sauries, sea bream and bonito are among the fish landed at Owase. Japanese cypress and cryptomeria trees are found in abundance here in the mountains.