Shikaoi machi (Hokkaidō Territory, Japan)

The flag was adopted on 24 August 1970 by Notice No 15. The emblem was adopted 10 July 1949 and is a stylized stylized kanji Shika 鹿

Flag proportion: 2:3; height of stripe : green 3/10 representing the mountains and gentleness of the people; white 4/10 representing snow and purity of the people; blue 3/10 representing Lake Shikaribetsu and noble people; the diameter of red disc: 1/2 of height of white stripe representing the sun surrounded by brown antlers.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 13 August 2006

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From the overview at the Shikaoi web site:

The name "Shikaoi" is based on the Ainu word "kuteku'ushi" (to chase after deers). In ancient times, deers were easily caught by driving them into nets which were placed in the ravines.

And the history page says:

Shikaoi's beginning can be treated back to 1902, when Mr.Yamada of Tokyo settled into what is now the main street of Shikaoi. By 1913 a train station opened up the flow of settlers from Honshu. Not long after this a post office, police station, and several small restaurants opened.

In 1920, the population of Shikaoi was 4,526 people (822 families). In April 1921 it became the Shikaoi village. Kasai Railway was laid in 1923 to aid the transporting of beets from the region. Also, general cargo and passenger transport were permitted in May 1925. A big role was played for industrial development of Shikaoi by the upgrading a network of roads and railway.

The population increased rapidly by the settlement of Self-Defense Force Stationing Grounds after the World War. (Population/ 10,448 people, 1,970 families in the 1960 census) The Shikaoi region and Shikaoi Town came together in 1959.

After a peak population (10,778 persons) in 1961 it decreased gradually by the influence of cold-weather damage to agriculture. But after 1993, it became stable with many efforts, including improved agriculture.

Phil Nelson, 13 August 2006