city, Kagoshima prefecture (ken), Kyushu, Japan, in the central part of the Ōsumi Peninsula. The city developed rapidly with the establishment of an air base of the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1936. After World War II the base was taken over by the Japanese Self-Defense Force. The city retains its rural character, however, producing sweet potatoes and cereals, and alcohol and starch on a small scale. Kanoya also serves as a transport centre for the peninsula. Pop. (2005 prelim.) 81,485.