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Iwakuni, Yamaguchi

Iwakuni
岩国市
City
Kintai Bridge, a famous sightseeing spot in Iwakuni
Kintai Bridge, a famous sightseeing spot in Iwakuni
Flag of Iwakuni
Flag
Location of Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture
Location of Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture
Iwakuni is located in Japan
Iwakuni
Iwakuni
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 34°9′N 132°11′E / 34.150°N 132.183°E / 34.150; 132.183Coordinates: 34°9′N 132°11′E / 34.150°N 132.183°E / 34.150; 132.183
Country Japan
Region Chūgoku (San'yō) (San'in)
Prefecture Yamaguchi Prefecture
Government
 • Mayor Yoshihiko Fukuda
Area
 • Total 873.72 km2 (337.35 sq mi)
Population (August 1, 2016)
 • Total 137,128
 • Density 156.95/km2 (406.5/sq mi)
Symbols
 • Tree Cinnamomum camphora
 • Flower Cherry blossom
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address 1-14-51 Imazumachi, Iwakuni-shi, Yamaguchi-ken
740-8585
Website www.city.iwakuni.yamaguchi.jp

Iwakuni (岩国市 Iwakuni-shi?) is a city located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.

Iwakuni was formerly the castle town of the Iwakuni han, which was formed by Lord Hiroie Kikkawa after he was banished there for supporting the defeated shogun. The Kikkawa clan ruled the han during the Edo period. The han was originally assessed at 30 thousand koku, and later, 60 thousand. Iwakuni han prospered for 300 years up until the Meiji Restoration. Before being re-founded with the same name following the mergers in 2006, the city was first founded on April 1, 1940.

On March 20, 2006, Iwakuni absorbed the towns of Kuga, Mikawa, Miwa, Nishiki, Shūtō and , and the village of Hongō (all from Kuga District) to create the new and expanded city of Iwakuni.

Located at 34° N, 132° E, Iwakuni is in the eastern part of Yamaguchi Prefecture, bordering the Seto Inland Sea.

As of August 1, 2016, the city has an estimated population of 137,128 (which the city has decreased in population by 50,000 over the last 25 years) and a population density of 156.95 of persons per km². The total area is 873.72 km².

Iwakuni is part of the Seto Inland Sea industrial area. Petroleum is a major industry with Nippon Oil’s Marifu refinery producing 127,000 barrels per day (20,200 m3/d). Pulp is also produced in Nippon Paper’s Iwakuni mill using a relatively new process called “methane fermentation treatment” which requires almost no energy. Other main industries include fibers and spinning, petrochemicals, and paper. The renkon (lotus root) is the principal agricultural product and is cultivated in the Hasuda field which is in the Ozu area, located near Minami Iwakuni station.


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