Naka (那珂市, Naka-shi) is a city located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 July 2020[update], the city had an estimated population of 53,153 in 20,953 households and a population density of 543.4 persons per km2. The percentage of the population aged over 65 was 32.4%.[1] The total area of the city is 97.82 square kilometres (37.77 sq mi).
Naka
那珂市 | |
|---|---|
 Naka city hall | |
 Flag  Emblem | |
 Location of Naka in Ibaraki Prefecture | |
  Naka | |
| Coordinates: 36°27′26.6″N 140°29′12.3″E / 36.457389°N 140.486750°E | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Kantō |
| Prefecture | Ibaraki |
| Area | |
• Total | 97.82 km2 (37.77 sq mi) |
| Population (September 1, 2020) | |
• Total | 53,137 |
| • Density | 540/km2 (1,400/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time) |
| - Tree | Sakura |
| - Flower | Sunflower |
| - Bird | Swan |
| Phone number | 029-298-1111 |
| Address | Fukuda 1819-5, Naka-shi, Ibaraki 311-0192 |
| Website | Official website |
Geography
editNaka is located in north-central Ibaraki Prefecture, with the Naka River and Kuji River flowing through the city.
Surrounding municipalities
editIbaraki Prefecture
Demographics
editPer Japanese census data,[2] the population of Naka peaked around the year 2000 and has declined slightly since.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 38,559 | — |
| 1930 | 37,829 | −1.9% |
| 1940 | 37,718 | −0.3% |
| 1950 | 38,427 | +1.9% |
| 1960 | 37,544 | −2.3% |
| 1970 | 38,256 | +1.9% |
| 1980 | 44,768 | +17.0% |
| 1990 | 51,078 | +14.1% |
| 2000 | 55,069 | +7.8% |
| 2010 | 54,240 | −1.5% |
| 2020 | 53,502 | −1.4% |
History
editOn March 31, 1955 the town of Sugaya and villages of Godai, Nakata, Kanzaki, Toda, Yoshino and Kizaki were merged to become the town of Naka (within Naka District). The town was the 4th largest population within the prefecture, following the town of Kamisu (from Kashima District), the town of Sōwa (from Sashima District), and the town of Ami (from Inashiki District). On January 21, 2005 Naka absorbed the town of Urizura (from Naka District) to become the city of Naka. Naka annexed the town of Urizura on January 21, 2005.
Government
editNaka has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 18 members. Naka contributes one member to the Ibaraki Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Ibaraki 4th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
editKiuchi Brewery (木内酒造) is a brewery in Naka. It was established in 1823 as a sake and Shōchū producer.
Renesas Electronics has a 300mm fab in Naka, Ibaraki prefecture. This semiconductor factory makes chips for the automotive manufacturing industry.[3]
Education
editNaka has nine public elementary schools and five public middle schools operated by the city government, and two public high schools operated by the Ibaraki Prefectural Board of Education. The Ibaraki Women's Junior College is also located in Naka.
Transportation
editRailway
edit- Godai - Shimo-Sugaya - Naka-Sugaya - Kami-Sugaya - Hitachi-Kōnosu - Urizura - Shizu
.svg){kind=logo}
JR East – Suigun Line - Hitachi-Ōta Branch
Highway
edit
Jōban Expressway – Naka Interchange
National Route 6
National Route 118
National Route 249
Sister cities
edit
Local attractions
edit- Ibaraki Botanical Garden
- The Japan Atomic Energy Agency operates a fusion power research facility in the town, which houses the JT-60, one of the premiere tokamak fusion reactors in the world.
- Kasamatsu Park and Stadium
- Kiuchi Brewery
- Shizu Jinja
- Shizumine Furusato Park
References
edit- ^ "Ibaraki prefectural official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
- ^ Naka population statistics
- ^ "Renesas aims for full return of fire-hit chip plant by July". 19 April 2021.
- ^ "Oak Ridge, Tennessee Sister City Partners". Oak Ridge Tennessee Sister Cities Support Organization. 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
External links
edit
- Official Website (in Japanese)