was a short-lived province in Hokkaidō. It corresponded to modern-day Kushiro Subprefecture and part of Abashiri Subprefecture. History After 1869, the northern Japanese island became known as Hokkaido; and regional administrative subdivisions were identified, including Kushiro Province.<ref>Satow, Ernest. (1882). "The Geography of Japan" in {{Google books|gGYYAAAAYAAJ|Transactions of the Asiatic Society of Japan, Vols. 1-2, p. 88.|page=33}}</ref> In 1882, the Hokkaido region was separated into three prefectures — , , and . In 1886, the three prefectures were abolished, and Hokkaido was put under the . At the same time, Kushiro Province continued to exist for some purposes. For example, Kushiro is explicitly recognized in treaties in 1894 (a) between Japan and the United States and (b) between Japan and the United Kingdom. Timeline 1869—use of the name Hokkaido started August 15, 1869 Kushiro Province established with 7 districts 1872 Census finds a population of 1,734 July 1881 Abashiri District (網尻郡) incorporated for Abashiri District (網走郡), Kitami Province 1882—prefectures established 1886—Hokkaido Agency established 1947—Hokkaido Prefecture established Districts Shiranuka (白糠郡) Ashoro (足寄郡) Kushiro (釧路郡) Akan (阿寒郡) Abashiri (網尻郡) Kawakami (川上郡) Akkeshi (厚岸郡) Notes References Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric and Käthe Roth. (2005). Japan encyclopedia. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. ; OCLC 58053128 Papinot, Edmond. (1910). Historical and Geographic Dictionary of Japan.'' Tokyo: Librarie Sansaisha. OCLC 77691250 States and territories established in 1869 1882 disestablishments in Japan Former provinces of Japan 1869 establishments in Japan