city, southern Hokkaido, Japan, on Cape Chikyū at the entrance to Uchiura Bay. After 1906 it began to grow from a village to a company town, producing steel and iron products. In 1982 Muroran succeeded in securing its water supply system from the company. It became the major heavy industrial centre (by value) on Hokkaido. The port also handles coal, machinery, wood, pulp, and marine products. The city houses a university. Muroran is connected by rail to other Hokkaido cities. Pop. (2005) 98,372.