Sasebo, Nagasaki

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Map showing location of Sasebo in Nagasaki Prefecture (as of 2006).

Illuminated by the Albuquerque Bridge, Japanese volunteers place candle lit lanterns into the Sasebo River during the Obon festival.

Sasebo (佐世保市; -shi) is a city located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. As of 2006, the city has an estimated population of 258,324 and the density of 709.91 persons per km². The total area is 363.88km² The locality is famed for its oysters, and its scenic beauty.

Sasebo is home to a Navy base (U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo) of the United States Navy, as well as Japan's Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The order to attack Pearl Harbor was broadcast from the Hario radio facility in Sasebo. Adjacent to the naval base is the Sasebo Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (SSK) shipyard. Also in Sasebo is the theme park Huis ten Bosch.

The city was also the site of the murder of 12-year-old Satomi Mitarai on June 1, 2004. Mitarai was killed by a classmate with a box cutter at Okubo Elementary School. The incident was rapidly publicized by the creation of the Internet meme character Nevada-tan, a caricature based on Mitarai's killer (whose real name has been withheld in accordance with Japanese law).

Sasebo Station is the westernmost station in the JR system.

The city was founded on April 1, 1902.