Higashikurume, Tokyo

Higashikurume (東久留米市, Higashi-kurume-shi) is a city located in the western portion of Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. As of 1 February 2016, the city had an estimated population of 116,896, and a population density of 9076 persons per km². Its total area is 12.88 square kilometres (4.97 sq mi).

Higashikurume

東久留米市
City
Higashikurume City Hall
Flag
Seal
Location of Higashikurume in Tokyo Metropolis
Higashikurume
 
Coordinates: 35°45′28.8″N 139°31′47.5″E
CountryJapan
RegionKantō
PrefectureTokyo Metropolis
Government
 • MayorKazuhiko Baba
Area
 • Total12.88 km2 (4.97 sq mi)
Population
 (February 2016)
 • Total116,869
 • Density9,070/km2 (23,500/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
City symbols 
• TreeGinkgo
• FlowerAzalea
• BirdAzure-winged magpie
Phone number042-470-7777
Address3-3-1 Hon-cho, Higashikurume-shi, Tokyo 203-8555
Websitewww.city.higashikurume.lg.jp
Mt Fuji from downtown Higashikurume

Geography

Higashikurume is in the north-center of Tokyo Metropolis, on the Musashino Terrace, approximately 25 kilometers from downtown Tokyo.

Surrounding municipalities

History

The area of present-day Higashikurume was part of ancient Musashi Province. In the post-Meiji Restoration cadastral reform of April 1, 1889, Kurume Village were established within Kitatama District of Kanagawa Prefecture. The entire district was transferred to the control of Tokyo Prefecture on April 1, 1893. The area began development after connection to central Tokyo was established by the Musashino Railway from 1915. In 1956, the village of Kurume attained town status. In the 1960s and 1970s, the population rapidly expanded with the construction of large public housing estates. The city was founded on October 1, 1970.

Etymology of the city name

The origin of the name Kurume is unclear, but there are several theories:

  • as a variante of the ancient "kuruma muchibe", maintenance staff of the emperor's litter
  • a dialect form of the Japanese word for "walnut"
  • a word meaning "small, flat place"
  • The theory that the "Kurome" of the Kuromegawa River：黒目川 flowing through the city turns into the place name of "Kurume". Originally, the Kurome River was also called "Kurume" River, the later people used the kanji notation such as Kurume＝久留米or久留目or来梅・Kurome＝黒目etc. . This was later recognised as the most likely theory.

At the time of the founding of the city, the name was changed to Higashikurume in order to avoid being confused for Kurume, Fukuoka. Since the new name already had already existed since 1915 as the name of the local train station, the name was already familiar to residents and adopted quickly.[1]

Politics and government

Higashikurume is run by a city assembly of 22 members. The mayor is Katsumi Namiki, an independent candidate.

City council

The current city council was elected on April 26, 2015, with 21 council seats currently occupied.[2]

Political partyNumber of representatives
Liberal Democratic Party6
Komeito5
Japanese Communist Party4
Democratic Party3
Citizen Autonomy Forum2
Others1

Former mayors
  • Kenko Fujii (1970 - 1975)[3]
  • Masaji Ishidsu (1975 - 1978)[4]
  • Kojiro Ito (1978 - 1982)
  • Saburo Yoshida (1982 - 1990)
  • Mitsuo Inaba (1990 - 2001)
  • Shiyega Nozaki (2002 - 2010)
  • Kazuhiko Baba (2010 - 2014)
  • Katsumi Namiki (2014 - )

Economy

Higashikurume is primary a regional commercial center, and a bedroom community for central Tokyo. Globeride has its headquarters and a factory in the city.[5] Factories of Coca-Cola and Yamazaki Baking are also located in the city.

Education

Higashikurume has 13 public and one private elementary schools, seven public and two private middle school. The city also has two public and one private high school. Higashikurume is the site for Tokyo Gakugei University's International Student Dormitory, as well as the private Christian Academy in Japan.

Transportation

Railway

Notable people from Higashikurume

See also

References
  1. 東久留米市文化財資料集(9) [Higashikurume City Cultural Properties Collection] (in Japanese). Higashikurume City. 1983. p. 2f.
  2. Election results on the website of Higashikurume City
  3. 東久留米市史 [Higashikurume City history] (in Japanese). Higashikurume City. 1979. p. 741.
  4. 東久留米の近代史 [Higashikurume's modern history] (in Japanese). Higashikurume City. 2012. p. 151f.
  5. "Profile." Financial Times. Retrieved on August 3, 2018
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