Shikokuchūō, Ehime
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Shikokuchūō 四国中央市 |
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Doi Taiko (Japanese drum) Festival, held on October 13 to 15 every year
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 Location of Shikokuchūō in Ehime Prefecture |
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 Shikokuchūō
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| Coordinates: 33°59′N 133°33′E / 33.983°N 133.550°ECoordinates: 33°59′N 133°33′E / 33.983°N 133.550°E | ||
| Country | Japan | |
| Region | Shikoku | |
| Prefecture | Ehime Prefecture | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Takumi Ihara (since April 2004) | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 419.98 km2 (162.16 sq mi) | |
| Population (May 31, 2011) | ||
| • Total | 92,486 | |
| • Density | 220.21/km2 (570.3/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) | |
| City hall address | 4-6-55 Miyagawa, Mishima, Shikokuchūō-shi, Ehime-ken 799-0497 |
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| Website | www |
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Shikokuchūō (四国中央市 Shikokuchūō-shi?) is a city located in Ehime Prefecture, Japan.
Shikokuchūō is the leading producer of paper and paper products in Japan. It is also a port city and one of Ehime’s major centers of industry.
As of May 31, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 92,486, with 37,616 households and a population density of 220.21 persons per km². The total area is 419.98 km².
Shikokuchūō is part of the former Uma District. As Uma is centrally located in Shikoku, it was historically a transportation hub between Shikoku’s major cities. Due to its strategic importance, during the Sengoku period Uma was repeatedly invaded by the neighboring domains of Sanuki, Awa and Tosa. Forts were built in the east part of Uma to protect against these invasions.
Industry began to flourish in Uma during the Edo period, and the city grew as a port town. The Tosa kaido offered access to Tosa in the south, so Uma was also a stopping spot, or ‘post station,’ for the Tosa daimyo and travelers to and from Tosa.
Paper making began in Uma around 1750, and much later grew into the region’s major industry.
Shikokuchūō city was founded on April 1, 2004 when the cities of Kawanoe, Iyomishima, the town of Doi and the village of Shingū merged to form one new city. The name literally means "Shikoku Central City" and was so named in the hopes of becoming the new capital of the island of Shikoku, should the four prefectures be merged into one state.
However, this name has been roundly criticized for its unoriginality, and is known as one of the "strange city names" throughout Japan.
The former cities of Kawanoe and Iyomishima (the two largest cities of the four that merged) have fought for political control over the new city.
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Wikipedia