Ebetsu, city in northern Japan on east central Hokkaido Island. Ebetsu is on the Ishikari River near the center of the Ishikari Plain, Hokkaido's largest and most productive agricultural area. It is about 20 km (about 12.5 mi) from Sapporo, the largest city on Hokkaido. Ebetsu serves as an agricultural market center and a regional industrial base. Its products include dairy goods, lumber, paper, and brick. It has developed recently as a residential area for commuters to Sapporo, to which it is connected by rail. Ebetsu was founded in 1878 by 12 colonist-militia families (tondenhei), who were sent to the Ishikari Plain from Iwate Prefecture (on northern Honshu Island) to expand Japan's interests northward and protect the area from Russian colonization. Population (1999) 119,920.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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