Summary of Project Plan
The Hachirogata Land Reclamation Project consisted of two main phases: the National Reclamation Project (from 1957 to 1968) and the Hachirogata New Community Development Corporation (from 1965 to 1976).
In the National Reclamation Project, reclamation work was carried out on the central reclaimed land as well as the surrounding coastal reclamation areas of Lake Hachiro.
This included 11 municipalities: Oga City, Tennō City, Showa Town, Iitagawa Town, Ikawa Town, Hachirogata Town, Gojome Town, Kotooka Town, Yamamoto Town, Hachiryu Town, and Wakami Town.
In the Project by the Hachirogata New Community Development Corporation was responsible for developing agricultural land, building housing for settlers, and creating settlement areas and public land.
The agency also oversaw the construction of various agricultural facilities, the purchase of agricultural machinery, as well as providing training and guidance to settlers, and conducting agricultural trials.
●Scale of the Hachirogata Polder Project
■Reclaimed Land Area
The total area of Lake Hachiro is 22,024 hectares, with the reclaimed land area as follows:
Central Reclaimed Area: 15,666 hectares (this is the area of Ogata Village).
Surrounding Reclaimed Area: 1,573 hectares (total area of surrounding towns and villages).
Total Reclaimed Area: 17,239 hectares.
The central reclaimed area is surrounded by a dike approximately 52 km in length.
The drainage within the area is managed by the central main drainage canal running north and south, with the Southern Drainage Pumping Station and Northern Drainage Pumping Station at the endpoints.
■Adjustment Ponds and Other Water Areas
The remaining water surface of Lake Hachiro outside the reclaimed land includes adjustment ponds, the Eastern and Western Catch Canals.
A tide gate prevents seawater from entering, aiming for desalination and the use of water for agricultural purposes.
Additionally, the previously meandering flow of water was straightened to facilitate smoother water flow to the Sea of Japan.
■Settlement and Increased Rice Field Numbers
Settler Households: 589 households (farmers who settled in Ogata Village, including 9 households under the prefectural solo settlement program).
Increased Rice Field Households: 4,450 households (farmers in surrounding towns who expanded their rice fields).
Settlers were relocated in five phases between 1966 and 1973.
The surrounding reclaimed areas were divided into four regions (West, East, South, and North), further subdivided into 21 districts, with each district designated for rice field expansion by local farmers.
■Farmlands and Settlements
For the new farming village (Ogata Village), farmlands were designed to be 60 hectares each, allowing for efficient farming with the use of agricultural machinery.
In terms of development of the village, emphasis was placed on improving the living environment for settlers, including the construction of farmhouses and various facilities.
■Total Project Cost
National Reclamation Project Cost: 54.3 billion yen
Corporation Project Cost: 30.9 billion yen
Total Cost: 85.2 billion yen
■Construction Period
National Reclamation Project: Fiscal Year 1957 to Fiscal Year 1968
Corporation Project: Fiscal Year 1965 to Fiscal Year 1976
●Overview of the Hachirogata New Community Development Corporation
The corporation carried out the project from fiscal year 1965 to 1976 under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, as well as the Ministry of Home Affairs.
1.Land Development
Each plot of land was approximately 60 hectares, with a long side of about 1,000 meters and a short side of about 600 meters, representing large-scale agricultural land.
2.Housing and Other Settlement Land Development
Residential areas were concentrated in the central area where public facilities were located. The settlement areas were divided into five phases, with different residential areas for settlers in each phase.
3.Construction of Public and Other Facilities
In the central area, various public infrastructure was developed, including government offices, community halls, kindergartens, elementary schools, middle schools, a clinic, as well as water supply and sewage systems, and waste disposal facilities, to establish a foundation for daily life.
4.Development of Agricultural Cooperatives and Farmhouses
Modern agricultural facilities were built, such as country elevators (facilities for drying, processing, and storing agricultural products) and machinery storage barns.
5.Transfer of Facilities and Equipment
The corporation handled the allocation of settlement land, bulk purchasing, and transfer of agricultural machinery to the settlers.
6.Training and Agricultural Guidance for Settlers
The corporation provided training and guidance for settlers moving to the new farming village, as well as agricultural management support.
