Sakaiminato 4.69

Sakaiminato is a city in Tottori Prefecture, Japan.HistoryAn Imperial decree in July 1899 established Sakai as an open port for trading with the United States and the United Kingdom.Sakaiminato was founded on April 1, 1956. A merger with Yonago and other neighboring municipalities was proposed, but the majority of the citizenry voted against this, and Sakaiminato remained an autonomous municipality.GeographyAt the northern end of Yumigahama Peninsula, it is surrounded by the Miho Bay on the Sea of Japan to the east, Lake Nakaumi to the west and the Sakai Channel in the north, which also makes up the border with Shimane Prefecture and its capital Matsue.In 2008, Sakaiminato had an estimated population of 35,710 and a population density of 1,240 persons per km². The total area is 28.79km².EconomyThe seaport of Sakaiminato has a long history as a seaport for the San'in Region. Following World War II the city has served as the base of the fishing industry for all of Western Japan. Consequently, marine product processing is also a major industry in the city.