Chūō (中央市, Chūō-shi) is a city located in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 October 2020, the city had an estimated population of 30,660 in 13,954 households,[1] and a population density of 970 persons per km². The total area of the city is 31.69 square kilometres (12.24 sq mi).

Chūō
中央市
Chūō City Hall
Chūō City Hall
Flag of Chūō
Official seal of Chūō
Location of Chūō in Yamanashi Prefecture
Location of Chūō in Yamanashi Prefecture
Chūō is located in Japan
Chūō
Chūō
 
Coordinates: 35°35′58.6″N 138°38′2.1″E / 35.599611°N 138.633917°E / 35.599611; 138.633917
CountryJapan
RegionChūbu (Tōkai)
PrefectureYamanashi Prefecture
Area
 • Total31.69 km2 (12.24 sq mi)
Population
 (October 1, 2020)
 • Total30,660
 • Density970/km2 (2,500/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Phone number055-274-1111
AddressUsuiahara 301-1, Chūō City, Yamanashi 409-3892
WebsiteOfficial website
Koikawa Post Office in Chūō, Yamanashi

Geography

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Chūō is located near the geographic center of the Kōfu Plateau of central Yamanashi Prefecture, hence its name which means "centre" in Japanese. The Fuji River flows through the city.

Surrounding municipalities

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Yamanashi Prefecture

Climate

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The city has a climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and relatively mild winters (Köppen climate classification Cfa). The average annual temperature in Chūō is 14.6 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1339 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.8 °C, and lowest in January, at around 2.9 °C.[2]

Demographics

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Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Chūō has recently plateaued after several decades of growth.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1940 11,589—    
1950 14,335+23.7%
1960 12,538−12.5%
1970 11,747−6.3%
1980 16,812+43.1%
1990 25,868+53.9%
2000 30,769+18.9%
2010 31,322+1.8%
2020 31,216−0.3%

History

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The modern city of Chūō was established on February 20, 2006, from the merger of the towns of Tamaho and Tatomi (both from Nakakoma District), and the village of Toyotomi (from Higashiyatsushiro District).

Government

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Chūō has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 18 members.

Economy

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The economy of Chūō is dominated by agriculture, with rice, corn and tomatoes as the major cash crops.

Education

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  • University of Yamanashi – Medical School campus
  • Chūō has six public elementary schools and three public middle schools operated by the city government. The city does not have any high schools.

Transportation

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Railway

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Highway

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Notable people from Chūō

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References

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  Media related to Chūō, Yamanashi at Wikimedia Commons