TOMAKOMAI

city, southern Hokkaido, Japan, facing the Pacific Ocean. The city was a regional transport and commerce centre in the early 19th century. A pulp and paper industry has operated there since 1910, and chemicals are also produced. Commercial and industrial ports were completed in 1963, to serve as the basis for heavier industrialization; another port was completed in 1976. Pop. (1991 est.) 162,477.