Ube 宇部市 |
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City | ||
Ube City Hall
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Location of Ube in Yamaguchi Prefecture |
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Location in Japan | ||
Coordinates: 33°57′N 131°15′E / 33.950°N 131.250°ECoordinates: 33°57′N 131°15′E / 33.950°N 131.250°E | ||
Country | Japan | |
Region | Chūgoku (San'yō) (San'in) | |
Prefecture | Yamaguchi Prefecture | |
Established | November 1, 1921 | |
Government | ||
• Mayor | Kimiko Kubota | |
Area | ||
• Total | 287.69 km2 (111.08 sq mi) | |
Population (February 2010) | ||
• Total | 179,000 | |
• Density | 613/km2 (1,590/sq mi) | |
Symbols | ||
• Tree | Camphor laurel | |
• Flower | Scarlet sage and azalea | |
Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) | |
City hall address | 1-7-1 Tokiwachō, Ube-shi, Yamaguchi-ken 755-8601 |
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Website |
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Ube (宇部市 Ube-shi?) is a city located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan on the Seto Inland Sea. The city was founded on November 1, 1921.
As of February 2010, the city has an estimated population of 179,000 and a population density of 622 persons per km2. The total area is 287.69 square kilometres (111.08 square miles).
On November 1, 2004, the town of Kusunoki (from Asa District) was merged into Ube.
Its industrial base is in chemicals, concrete, and steel. The presence of Ube Industries in the city's economy is significant.
Previously a coal mining town, the city has developed an effective policy to improve its environment. In particular it has combated the problem of air pollution and its success in doing so saw it being recognised by the United Nations Environment Programme as among UNEP's Global 500 Roll of Honour in 1997.
Former prime minister of Japan Naoto Kan was born in Ube.
Ube publicizes itself as "a city of greenery, flowers, and sculptures". Tokiwa Park is the centerpiece of this marketing, as it covers a large area near the center of the city and houses a large number of modern, mostly domestic sculptures on the shores of Lake Tokiwa. The sculptures can be found around the city. A sculpture competition is held biennially to provide new additions.