June 2005

Tsutomu Matsushita translated by David Geer

Currently in Japan, because of severe economic circumstances within local governing bodies, the merging of cities, towns, and villages (shi, machi, mura) is being pushed forward. Within Wakayama, mergings have been happening since last year. In 2004, there were 50 municipalities (7 Cities, 36 towns, and 7 villages) but by March 2006 this number will be reduced to 30 (8 cities, 21 towns, 1 village).
The first merger within Wakayama Prefecture was in October of last year, when Minabe-town and Minabegawa-village combined. The new Minabe-town is the number one producer of plums in the whole country. In April of this year, Shimotsu-town merged into Kainan-City, and Koza-town merged into Kushimoto-town. In May, Nakahechi-town, Hongu-town, Ootou-village and Ryujin-village merged into Tanabe-city forming the largest city in area in the Kinki region. Kawabe-town, Nakatsu-village, Miyama-village merged forming a new Hidakagawa-town. From October until March of next year the following new cities and towns will be formed:
Katsuragi-town and Hanazono-village will become Katsuragi-town in October. Also in October, Shingu-city and Kumanogawa will become Shingu-city. Kishigawa-town, Momoyama-town, Uchita-town Kokawa-town and Naga-town will become Kinokawa-city in November. In January 2006, Nokami-town and Misato-town will become Kimino-town. Kibi-town, Kanaya-town, Shimizu-town will become Aridagawa town. In March, Koyaguchi-town will merge into Hashimoto-city and Hikigawa town will merge into Shirahama-town.

Posted on June 2005 in the following categories: Events