Chūō (中央市, Chūō-shi) is a city located in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 October 2020[update], 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 | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 35°35′58.6″N 138°38′2.1″E / 35.599611°N 138.633917°E | |
Country | Japan |
Region | Chūbu (Tōkai) |
Prefecture | Yamanashi Prefecture |
Area | |
• Total | 31.69 km2 (12.24 sq mi) |
Population (October 1, 2020) | |
• Total | 30,660 |
• Density | 970/km2 (2,500/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time) |
Phone number | 055-274-1111 |
Address | Usuiahara 301-1, Chūō City, Yamanashi 409-3892 |
Website | Official website |
Geography
editChūō 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
editYamanashi Prefecture
Climate
editThe 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
editPer Japanese census data,[3] the population of Chūō has recently plateaued after several decades of growth.
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
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
editThe 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
editChūō has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 18 members.
Economy
editThe economy of Chūō is dominated by agriculture, with rice, corn and tomatoes as the major cash crops.
Education
edit- 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
editRailway
editHighway
editNotable people from Chūō
edit- Masao Inoue, Japanese professional wrestler (Pro Wrestling Noah)
- Hidehiro Sugai, Japanese footballer currently playing as a left-back for Kashima Antlers of J1 League
- Shingo Takagi, Japanese professional wrestler (New Japan Pro-Wrestling)
References
editExternal links
editMedia related to Chūō, Yamanashi at Wikimedia Commons
- Official Website (in Japanese)