Named for a city of population of 220,000 on the Pacific coast of Hokkaido {see planet  (3720)}. Its main industries are paper making, coal mining and fishing, and the citizens are especially proud of the fact that they have the largest fish catch in Japan. Behind the city area there are huge, wild fields that form Kushiro’s Marsh National Park. In spite of the prevalence of fog during the summer months the first discoverer maintains his observing station there. (M 15427) _ _.