Tokushima (city)

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Tokushima has been growing steadily for the past century.

Climate

Tokushima has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with hot summers and cool winters. Precipitation is high, but there is a pronounced difference between the wetter summers and drier winters.

History

As with all of Tokushima Prefecture, the area of Tokushima was part of ancient Awa Province. Tokushima was developed around Tokushima Castle, the seat of the Hachisuka clan, daimyo of Tokushima Domain under the Edo Period Tokugawa shogunate. Its prosperity was built on a strong indigo dye industry. Following the Meiji restoration, the city of Tokushima was established on October 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. At the time, it was the 10th largest city in Japan.

World War II air raid

Tokushima was selected as a target by the United States' XXI Bomber Command during World War II because of the city's role as an agricultural center for the region. On July 3, 1945, at 5:45 PM (JST) 137 aircraft took off to bomb Tokushima. 1,050 tons of incendiary bombs were dropped on Tokushima, destroying 74% of the built up areas of the city. Over 1000 people were killed in the bombing (431 men, 553 women, 17 of unknown gender) and over 2000 people were injured. The number of incendiary bombs dropped on Tokushima City was calculated to be 354,664.

Government

Tokushima has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 30 members. Tokushima contributes ten members to the Tokushima Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Tokushima 1st district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

Tokushima has been the economic center of eastern Shikoku since the Edo period, when prospered as a distribution center for indigo and timber, and was one of the leading commercial cities in Japan. It has a deep connection with the Kansai region especially Osaka, which has become even more prominent in modern times after the opening of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. Following the decline of the indigo industry, the accumulated wealth of the merchant class led to the development of banks and financial institutions, which in turn led to modern industries such as spinning, papermaking, pharmaceuticals, food processing and electric power. Although the city area was burnt to the ground due to the Tokushima air raid in World War II, it was quickly reconstructed. There are numerous industrial parks.

Agriculture and forestry both remain as major contributors the local economy. The Tokushima Plain in the Yoshino and Katsuura river basins have fertile agricultural land, and in addition to rice, some items such as cauliflower and carrots are major local products.

Education

Universities and colleges

• Shikoku University
• Tokushima Bunri University
• University of Tokushima

Primary and secondary education

Tokushima has 30 public elementary schools and 18 public middle schools operated by the city government and nine public high schools operated by the Tokushima Prefectural Department of Education. There are also one private elementary school, three private middle schools and five private high schools. The prefecture also operates one night school and four special education schools for the disabled.

Transportation

Airport

• Tokushima Airport, which is located in neighboring town of Matsushige

Railway

Shikoku Railway Company – Kōtoku Line

• Tokushima - Sako - Yoshinari

Shikoku Railway Company – Mugi Line

• Tokushima - Awa-Tomida - Niken'ya - Bunkanomori - Jizōbashi

Shikoku Railway Company – Tokushima Line

• Sako - Kuramoto - Akui - Kō

Highways

• Tokushima Expressway
• Tokushima-Nanbu Expressway
• National Route 11
• National Route 28
• National Route 55
• National Route 192
• National Route 195
• National Route 318
• National Route 438
• National Route 439

Sister cities

• Saginaw, Michigan, United States, since December 1961
• Leiria, Portugal, since October 1969
• Dandong, Liaoning, China, since October 1991

Local attractions

• Awa Kokubun-ji, 15th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage
• Dainichi-ji, 13th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage
• Ichinomiya Jinja, one of the ichinomiya of former Awa Province
• Ido-ji, 17th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage
• Jōraku-ji, 14th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage
• Kan'on-ji, 16th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage
• Shibunomaruyama Kofun, National Historic Site
• Tokushima Archaeological Museum
• Tokushima Castle
• Tokushima Castle Museum
• Tokushima Domain Hachisuka clan cemetery, National Historic Site
• Tokushima Prefectural Museum

Culture

Every August, during the Obon Festival, Tokushima holds a cultural dance festival, the Awa Odori. Awa Odori literally translates as "Awa Dance" (Awa being Tokushima Prefecture's ancient name). During the festival, residents ranging from young children to professional dance troupes perform a distinctive style of Japanese traditional dance in regional costumes, accompanied by strings, drums, and singing (usually by the dancers themselves).

Sports

The city's Asty Tokushima arena hosted the official 2007 Asian Basketball Championship.