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Nishiwaki, Hyōgo

Nishiwaki
西脇市
City
Flag of Nishiwaki
Flag
Location of Nishiwaki in Hyōgo Prefecture
Location of Nishiwaki in Hyōgo Prefecture
Nishiwaki is located in Japan
Nishiwaki
Nishiwaki
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 34°59′25″N 134°58′20″E / 34.99028°N 134.97222°E / 34.99028; 134.97222Coordinates: 34°59′25″N 134°58′20″E / 34.99028°N 134.97222°E / 34.99028; 134.97222
Country Japan
Region Kansai
Prefecture Hyōgo Prefecture
Government
 • Mayor Juichi Kishi (since November 2005)
Area
 • Total 132.47 km2 (51.15 sq mi)
Population (May 1, 2011)
 • Total 43,970
 • Density 330/km2 (860/sq mi)
Symbols
 • Tree Cherry blossom
 • Flower Phlox subulata
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address Gonose 605, Nishiwaki City, Hyōgo Prefecture (兵庫県西脇市郷瀬町605)
677-8511
Website www.city.nishiwaki.lg.jp

Nishiwaki (西脇市 Nishiwaki-shi?) is a city in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. It was founded on April 1, 1952.

The city calls itself "The Navel of Japan (Nihon no Heso)." Located at the crossing of the 135° East meridian and the 35° North parallel, the city's Nihon no Heso Park marks the center of the nation. JR West operates Nihon Heso Station on the Kakogawa Line (in addition to other stations in Nishiwaki).

As of May 1, 2011 the city had an estimated population of 43,970, with 16,490 households and a population density of 331.92 persons per km². The total area is 132.47 km².

On October 1, 2005, the town of Kurodashō (from Taka District) was merged into Nishiwaki.

Nishiwaki has been the sister city of Renton, Washington, U.S.A since 1969. Since then there have been mutual exchanges between the cities, most notably the annual middle school exchange program which began in 1989. (The US delegation was in Japan October 3-13, 1989.) The initial delegation from the US included (future) actress Casey Strand.



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