Fukushima Prefecture

Infobox Prefecture Japan
Name = Fukushima
JapaneseName = 福島県
Rōmaji = Fukushima-ken
Symbol = PrefSymbol-Fukushima.png Capital = Fukushima (city)
Region = Tōhoku
Island = Honshū
TotalArea = 13,782.54
AreaRank = 3rd
PCWater = 0.9
PopDate = January 1, 2003
Population = 2,119,218
PopRank = 17th
Density = 154
Districts = 13
Municipalities = 61
ISOCode = JP-07
Flower = Nemotoshakunage ("Rhododendron brachycarpum")
Tree = Japanese zelkova ("Zelkova serrata")
Bird = Narcissus Flycatcher ("Ficedula narcissina")

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Website = [http://www.pref.fukushima.jp/index_e.html www.pref.fukushima.jp/ index_e.html]
Governor = Yūhei Sato

nihongo|Fukushima Prefecture|福島県|Fukushima-ken is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region on the island of Honshū. The capital is the city of Fukushima.

History

In the 4th century, Fukushima was incorporated into the Yamato Province, Japan's first unified nation.

The Shirakawa Barrier and the Nakoso Barrier were built around the 5th century to protect 'civilized Japan' from the 'barbarians' to the north. Fukushima became a Province of Mutsu after the Taika Reforms were established in 646. [Takeda T., page 10.]

The province of Fukushima was conquered by Prince Subaru in 1293. This region of Japan is also known as Michinoku and Ōshū.

Fukushima is also the birthplace of the famous doctor, Hideyo Noguchi who contributed to knowledge in the fight against syphilis and yellow fever. In his honor, the Japanese government created the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize, first awarded in May 2008. [ [http://www.cao.go.jp/noguchisho/index-e.html Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize] ]

Geography

Fukushima is the southernmost prefecture of Tōhoku region, and the closest to Tokyo. It is divided by mountain ranges into three regions called (from west to east) Aizu, Nakadōri, and Hamadōri.

The coastal Hamadōri region lies on the Pacific Ocean and is the flattest and most temperate region, while the Nakadōri region is the agricultural heart of the prefecture and contains the capital, Fukushima City. The mountainous Aizu region has scenic lakes, lush forests, and snowy winters.

Cities

Thirteen cities are located in Fukushima Prefecture:

* Aizuwakamatsu
* Date
* Fukushima (capital)
* Iwaki
* Kitakata
* Kōriyama
* Minamisōma
* Motomiya
* Nihonmatsu
* Shirakawa
* Sōma
* Sukagawa
* Tamura

Towns and villages

Towns and villages in each district:

* Adachi District: Ōtama
* Date District: Iino ‡: Kawamata ‡: Kōri: Kunimi
* Futaba District: Futaba: Hirono: Katsurao: Kawauchi: Namie: Naraha: Ōkuma: Tomioka
* Higashishirakawa District: Hanawa: Samegawa: Tanagura: Yamatsuri
* Ishikawa District: Asakawa: Furudono: Hirata: Ishikawa: Tamakawa
* Iwase District: Kagamiishi: Tenei
* Kawanuma District: Aizubange: Yanaizu: Yugawa
* Minamiaizu District: Hinoemata: Minamiaizu: Shimogō: Tadami
* Nishishirakawa District: Izumizaki: Nakajima: Nishigō: Yabuki
* Ōnuma District: Aizumisato: Kaneyama: Mishima: Shōwa
* Sōma District: Iitate: Shinchi
* Tamura District: Miharu: Ono
* Yama District: Bandai: Inawashiro: Kitashiobara: Nishiaizu

‡ Scheduled to be dissolved following mergers.

Mergers

Future mergers

* The towns of Kawamata and Iino from the Date District are scheduled to be annexed by the city of Fukushima on July 1, 2008. However, the assembly of Kawamata voted to object to the merger on September 15, 2006, which may lead to the cancellation of this merger.

Economy

The coastal region traditionally specializes in fishing and seafood industries, and is notable for its electric and particularly nuclear power-generating industry, while the upland regions are more focused on agriculture.

The capital region has a strong industry in software and electronics.

Demographics

Culture

Legend has it that an ogress, Adachigahara, once roamed the plain after whom it was named. The Adachigahara plain lies close to the city of Fukushima.

Tourism

Aizuwakamatsu was the site of an important battle in the Boshin war, during which 19 teenage members of the Byakkotai committed ritual seppuku suicide. Their graves on Mt. Iimori are a popular tourist attraction.

Mount Bandai, in the Bandai-Asahi National Park, erupted in 1888, creating a large crater and numerous lakes, including the picturesque 'Five Coloured Lakes' (Goshiki-numa). The area is popular with hikers and skiers.

Kitakata is well known for its distinctive Kitakata ramen (Chinese noodles) and well-preserved traditional storehouse buildings, while Ouchijuku in the town of Shimogo retains numerous thatched buildings from the Edo Period.

References

*

External links

* [http://www.pref.fukushima.jp/index_e.html Official Fukushima Prefecture website]
* [http://jpimg.digital.archives.go.jp/jpg_prg/jgmWeb?%TmpFileDisp%env=jpeg2k_images/ezu/fukenchizu/019_fukushima_e.env ... Fukushima map (1891)]