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Betsukai (別海町, Betsukai-chō) is a town located in Nemuro Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. As of April 30, 2017, the town has an estimated population of 15,179,[1] and an area of 1,320.15 km2 (the second largest in Hokkaido). The town is primarily agricultural, with numerous dairy farms. It comprises a part of the agricultural region referred to as "Milk Land Hokkaido". [citation needed]
Cow crossing street sign in Betsukai
History
1923 - 6 villages combine, forming the village of Betsukai.
1971 - Betsukai Village becomes Betsukai Town.
Climate
Climate data for Betsukai (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1977−present)
Per Japanese census data,[4] the population of Betsukai has declined in recent decades.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1970
18,296
—
1980
19,035
+4.0%
1990
18,297
−3.9%
2000
16,910
−7.6%
2010
15,855
−6.2%
2020
14,380
−9.3%
Mascot
Ryoushi-kun, the town's mascot
Betsukai's mascot is Ryoushi-kun (りょウシくん) whose real name is Ryoushi Betsukai (別海りょウシ, Betsukai Ryoushi). He is a bull that looks like a cow. He is a fisherman, and a milk farmer. His friends are Hotatetchi (ホタテっち) (who is a Yesso scallop), Ebumaru (エビまる) (who is a shrimp), Milkchi (みるちー) (who is a milk bottle), Sakezo (サケゾー) (who is a salmon), Asarin (あさりん) (who is a Japanese littleneck clam), Hocki (ホッキー, Hokkī) (who is a Sakhalin surf clam) and Shiratori-san (シラトリさん) (who is a white swan). He was unveiled on 30 June 2013.[5][6]
