is a town located in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. , the town had an estimated population of 13,615 in 4956 households, and a population density of 65 persons per km². The total area of the town is . Geography Yuza is located in the extreme northwest of Yamagata Prefecture, bordering on Akita Prefecture to the north and the Japan Sea on the west. Part of the town is within the borders of the Chōkai Quasi-National Park, including a portion of Mount Chōkai itself. Neighboring municipalities Yamagata Prefecture Sakata Akita Prefecture Yurihonjō Nikaho Climate Nakayama has a Humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is heaviest from August to October. The average annual temperature in Nakayama is 11.9 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1906 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.1 °C, and lowest in January, at around 0.3 °C. Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Yuza peaked around the year 1950 and has been declining steadily since. It is now less than it was a century ago. History The area of present-day Yuza was part of ancient Dewa Province. After the start of the Meiji period, the area became part of Akumi District, Yamagata Prefecture. The village of Yuza was established on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. It was elevated to town status on April 1, 1941. On August 1, 1954, it absorbed the neighboring villages of Inagawa, Nishi-Yuza, Warabioka, Fukura, and Takase. In 2003, it joined discussions with regards to a possible merger with the neighboring city of Sakata; however, the merger discussions were closed on October 6, 2004 with Yuza electing to remain independent. Economy The economy of Yuza is based on agriculture and commercial fishing. Education Yuza has five public elementary schools, one public middle school operated by the town government and one public high school operated by the Yamagata Prefectural Board f Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped. Transportation Railway East Japan Railway Company - Uetsu Main Line - - Highway – Yuza Interchange Local attractions Jūroku Rakan Iwa Chokaizan Omoimi Jinja International relations Twin towns — Sister cities Szolnok, Hungary Notes External links Official