city, west-central Hokkaido, Japan. It lies southeast of Sapporo, on the railway to Tomakomai. Because of the extension of Sapporo and the growth of the commercial and industrial harbour of Tomakomai after World War I, Chitose grew rapidly. A Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force base was established in the city in 1962. The Chitose airport, one of Japan's larger airports, serves Sapporo. The city is a tourist centre for Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Pop. (2005 prelim.) 91,439.