is one of the five wards of Kumamoto City, Japan. Meaning literally "south ward," it is bordered by the Nishi-ku, Chà «à Â-ku, Higashi-ku and also by the cities of Uki, Uto and the towns of Kashima, Mifune and Kà Âsa. As of 2020, it has a population of 130,829 people and an area of 110.02 km<sup>2</sup>.