Akashi, Hyōgo

Akashi (明石市, Akashi-shi) is a city located in southern Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, on the Seto Inland Sea west of Kobe.

Akashi

明石市
Core city
Akashi from Akashi Castle.
Flag
Emblem
Location of Akashi in Hyōgo Prefecture
Akashi
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 34°39′N 135°0′E
CountryJapan
RegionKansai
PrefectureHyōgo Prefecture
First official recorded645 AD
City SettledNovember 1, 1919
Government
 • MayorFusaho Izumi (from May 2011)
Area
 • Total49.22 km2 (19.00 sq mi)
Population
 (April 1, 2017)
 • Total294,312
 • Density6,000/km2 (15,000/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address1-5-1 Nakasaki, Akashi-shi, Hyogo-ken
673-8686
Websitewww.yokoso-akashi.jp/en/index.html
Symbols
FlowerChrysanthemums
TreeSweet Osmanthus
Akashi
Japanese name
Kanji明石市
Hiraganaあかしし
Katakanaアカシシ

As of April 1, 2017, the city has an estimated population of 294,312 and a population density of 6,000 persons per km2. The total area is 49.22 square kilometres (19 sq mi).

History

Akashi was an important city during Japan's pre-modern period due to the presence of Akashi Castle, headquarters of the Akashi Domain. The city, in its current form, was founded on November 1, 1919.

Akashi city was called Akashi Domain (1617-1871) and flourished as an old castle town since the seventeenth century. After the time of the Meiji restoration, the abolition of the han system (haihan-chiken) was done and replaced to a new system of prefectures in 1871 by Meiji Government.

It was said that Miyamoto Musashi (1584–1645) who was one of the well-known Japanese swordsmen made the old town's lots in the seventeenth century. Kakinomotono Hitomaro who was the great waka poet of the late Asuka period wrote many poems, and one of them was about Akashi. Akashi also appeared in The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu who was a famous female writer in the early years of the 11th century.

Akashi Government renovated its library and other facilities in November, 2017. Then, Akashi station's area was developed. A municipal library and other facilities reestablished in front of Akashi station. Therefore, accessibility in those facilities was exceedingly improved.

On July 21, 2001, 11 people were killed and 247 injured in a pedestrian stampede after a fireworks show. Five city and civil officials were subsequently convicted of negligence for not preventing the disaster.[1]

On April 1, 2018, Akashi became a core city.

Geography
Akashi Municipal Planetarium, as known the place Japan Standard Time is determined

Akashi Municipal Planetarium stands on the meridian of 135 degrees east longitude, that is used to determine Japan Standard Time. Contrary to the name, the terminus of the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge that connects Honshu to Awaji Island (and thereby to Shikoku) is not in Akashi but in Tarumi-ku, Kōbe.

The remains of Akashi Castle are located just north of Akashi Station and are visible from the station platform.

Politics and government

Akashi is governed by Mayor Fusaho Izumi, an independent. The city assembly has 31 elected members and is dominated by independents.

Economy

Yamato Scale, a leading global manufacturer of commercial weighing and packaging equipment is headquartered in the city.[2]

Culture

Akashi is well known for Akashiyaki, a kind of takoyaki particular to the region. Small pieces of octopus (tako) are placed inside a ball-shaped mold containing a mixture of flour and eggs and this is then fried. Akashiyaki is often eaten by dipping in a thin soup. People who live in Akashi call it "tamagoyaki."(tamago, 玉子 or 卵, literally "egg") Akashi is the site of the Uonotana (Uo-no-Tana, 魚の棚, literally "fish-shelf") Fish Market where local fishermen display an array of fresh seafood caught in the Akashi Strait.

Education
Akashi Junior College

The city once had a North Korean school, Akashi Korean Elementary School (明石朝鮮初級学校)[3] and Akashi Junior College (明石短期大学). The city also has the National Institute of Technology Akashi College (NITAC)．[4] (国立明石工業高等専門学校)

Sport

Akashi Park Stadium is a track and field stadium that can hold 20,000 spectators.

Principal sights of Akashi

Transportation

JR

The Sanyō Main Line (JR Kobe Line) passes through the city with stations at:

Sanyo Railway

The Sanyo Electric Railway Main Line passes through the city with stations at:

Highways

Ferries

International relations
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Japan

Twin towns – Sister cities

Akashi is twinned with:

References
  1. Kyodo News, "Ex-cop pleads not guilty in fatal '01 Akashi crush", Japan Times, 20 January 2012, p. 1.
  2. "Yamato Scale corporate profile". Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  3. ウリハッキョ一覧. Chongryon. November 6, 2005. Archived from the original on November 6, 2005. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  4. https://www.akashi.ac.jp/english/
  5. "Vallejo Sister City". Vallejo Sister City Association. Archived from the original on 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2013-09-11.
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