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(140.096E
39.699N) Oil
was first struck in Akita in 1935, at the Omonogawa and
Yabase fields. The Akita oil fields were the most productive
in Japan,
producing 73% of Japan’s total annual production of
1.6 million barrels. However, Japanese petroleum production
fell far
short of its annual requirements or even of its domestic refining
capacity of
33 million barrels a year. The Nippon Oil Company refinery (140.074E 39.758N) was the target of the
last air raid of the
war, on the night of 14/15 August 1945.
The city was one of the regimental districts for 8 Division. It
was also the location of a prisoner
of war camp at which 418 Chinese
prisoners of war died of
starvation, torture, or neglect.
Mount Chokai dominates the southern skyline of Akita.
Akita is located on the east shores of the Sea of Japan, which somewhat moderates the extremes of climate from nearby Siberia.
Climate Information:
Elevation: 33’
Temperatures: Jan 35/23, Apr 55/39, Jul 79/65, Oct 64/47, record 96/-12
Rainfall: Jan 22/5.6, Apr 12/4.3, Jul 12/7.8, Oct 15/7.4 == 72.9" per annum.
References
Handbook of Japanese Military Forces (1945; accessed 2010-9-26)
IMFTE Judgement (accessed 2010-9-26)
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