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Mie Prefecture

Mie Prefecture
三重県
Prefecture
Japanese transcription(s)
 • Japanese 三重県
 • Rōmaji Mie-ken
Flag of Mie Prefecture
Flag
Official logo of Mie Prefecture
Symbol of Mie Prefecture
Location of Mie Prefecture
Coordinates: 34°42′N 136°30′E / 34.700°N 136.500°E / 34.700; 136.500Coordinates: 34°42′N 136°30′E / 34.700°N 136.500°E / 34.700; 136.500
Country Japan
Region Kansai (Tōkai)
Island Honshu
Capital Tsu
Government
 • Governor Eikei Suzuki (since April 2011)
Area
 • Total 5,777.22 km2 (2,230.60 sq mi)
Area rank 25th
Population (August 1, 2016)
 • Total 1,808,549
 • Rank 23rd
 • Density 313.05/km2 (810.8/sq mi)
ISO 3166 code JP-24
Districts 7
Municipalities 29
Flower Iris
(Iris ensata)
Tree Japanese cedar
(Cryptomeria japonica)
Bird Snowy plover
(Charadrius alexandrinus)
Fish Japanese spiny lobster
(Panulirus japonicus)
Website www.pref.mie.jp/
ENGLISH/

Mie Prefecture (三重県 Mie-ken?) is a prefecture of Japan, which is part of the Kansai region on the main Honshu island. The capital is the city of Tsu.

Until the Meiji Restoration, the area that is now Mie Prefecture was made up of Ise Province, Shima Province, Iga Province and part of Kii Province.

Evidence of human habitation in Mie dates back more than 10,000 years. During the Jōmon and Yayoi periods, agricultural communities began to form along the river and coastal areas of the region. Ise Shrine is said to have been established during the Yayoi period, and in the 7th century the Saikū Imperial Residence was built in what is now Meiwa Town to serve as both a residence and administrative centre for the Saiō, an Imperial Princess who served as High Priestess of Ise Shrine.

During the Edo period, the area now known as Mie Prefecture consisted of several feudal domains, each ruled by an appointed lord. Transport networks, including the Tokaido and Ise Roads, were built. Port towns such as Ohminato, Kuwana and Anōtsu, posting stations and castle towns flourished. Pilgrimages to Ise Shrine also became very popular.

After the Meiji Restoration, the former provinces of Ise, Shima and Iga as well as a portion of eastern Kii, were organized and reorganized repeatedly. In 1871 the area from the Kiso Three Rivers in the north to present-day Tsu became Anōtsu Prefecture, and the area south of that became Watarai Prefecture. In 1872, the Anōtsu prefectural seat moved from Tsu to Yokkaichi, and the prefecture itself was renamed Mie. For a variety of reasons, including the strong likelihood that Mie would eventually merge with Watarai, the prefectural seat returned to Tsu the following year, and Mie Prefecture took its present-day form in 1876, when it merged with its southern neighbor.


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