Obama, Fukui

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Obama
小浜市
Location of Obama
Obama's location in Fukui, Japan.
Location
Country Japan
Region Hokuriku
Prefecture Fukui
Physical characteristics
Area 232.85 km² (89.90 sq mi)
Population (as of 2005)
     Total 32,185
     Density 138.22 /km² (358 /sq mi)
Location 35°30′N 135°45′E / 35.5, 135.75Coordinates: 35°30′N 135°45′E / 35.5, 135.75
Symbols
Symbol of Obama
Flag
Obama Government Office
Mayor Toshio Murakami
Address 〒917-8585
6-3 Ote-machi, Obama-shi, Fukui-ken
Phone number 0770-53-1111
Official website: City of Obama
City hall
City hall
Obama Bay
Obama Bay

Obama (小浜市 Obama-shi?) is a city located in Wakasa Area of Fukui Prefecture.

Contents

[edit] Location

Facing Wakasa Bay due north of Kyoto and Nara, the city is about four to five hours by train from Tokyo, and is served by the Obama Line of West Japan Railway (JR West).

As of October 1, 2005, the city had an estimated population of 32,185 and a density of 138.22 persons per km². The total area is 232.85 km².

[edit] History

In the Ritsuryō period, Obama was the capital of Wakasa Province, one of entrance of continental culture. Many temples related to the Yamato Dynasty are located in Obama, and the city is called "Nara by the sea".

In the Edo period, Obama was the capital of the Obama Domain and was the starting point of the Mackerel Road to Kyoto.

The area was municipalized as a city in March 30, 1951 although the area has been inhabited for centuries. Otojiro Uratani is currently the mayor of Obama.

[edit] Economy

Fishing is the major industry. [1]

[edit] Other economic producers

Wakasa lacquered chopsticks, agate accessories, and other crafts are made in the area. [2]

[edit] Education

Fukui Prefectural University is located in Obama and has been operating only since 1992. [3] However, in this short period, the university's Research Center for Marine Bioresources has been noted for its research of preservation and in the fields of fish embryogenesis, aquaculture stock enhancement, fish disease, and microalgeal bloom. [4] The university also has schools (faculties) of Economics, Nursing, Arts and Sciences, Biotechnology, and others. [5] Medical research is done at the Obama Community Hospital. [6] [7]

[edit] Cultural influences

As a result of its location in the Wakasa Province area, which travellers passed through when travelling between China and Kyoto, the area was influenced by Chinese culture for a long period. There are cultural artifacts throughout the area. [8] There are many buildings and houses in the Sancho-machi area of the city whose design was influenced by trade with the Chinese mainland. [9]

[edit] Traditions

Myotsu-ji Temple
Myotsu-ji Temple

The Omizu-okuri (Water Carrying) Festival is an annual event that dates back more than 1,200 years. [10] Local tourist attractions include the Myotsu-ji Temple and the surrounding Karesansui Garden. [11] The Wakasa Historical and Folk Museum is housed in a large, modern facility.

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Sister and friendship cities

Obama has sister and friendship relationships with the following cities in the world[12]:

[edit] Visitor attractions

[edit] Relationship with Barack Obama

The city of Obama noted the rise of American politician Barack Obama and decided to use the common name to boost publicity for the town. It began when the U.S. Senator gave a 2006 interview with Japanese television network TBS where he noted that, when passing through customs in Narita Airport, an official looking at his visa noted that he was from Obama[13]. The Obama City Hall heard about the interview and the mayor, Toshio Murakami, sent Senator Obama a set of the city’s famous lacquer chopsticks, a DVD about the city and a letter wishing him the best. As Senator Obama's 2008 United States Democratic Presidential campaign began to grow, more local businesses began to organize primary parties and post "Go Obama!" posters, sell "I love Obama" T-shirts, and produce manjū with Senator Obama's face on them. There are a number of Japanese with the surname Obama, though the American Senator is of Kenyan Luo heritage; it is not uncommon for Japanese and East African names to sound alike.[14][15]

Senator Obama has since thanked the town for their gifts and support, saying "I look forward to a future marked by the continued friendship of our two great nations and a shared commitment to a better, freer world".[16]

[edit] North Korean abductions

Main article: North Korean abductions of Japanese

Obama is one of the locations where Japanese citizens were abducted by agents of the North Korean government, in July 7, 1978.

[edit] See also

[edit] Film and TV

[edit] People from Obama

[edit] Sources

  • Isao Soranaka: Obama: The Rise and Decline of a Seaport. In: Monumenta Nipponica, Jg. 52, Nr. 1, 1997. ISSN 0027-2741

[edit] References

  1. ^ Obama City, Fukui Prefecture
  2. ^ Obama City, Fukui Prefecture
  3. ^ Fukui Prefectural University
  4. ^ Fukui Prefectural University
  5. ^ Fukui Prefectural University
  6. ^ SpringerLink - Journal Article
  7. ^ Severe weight gain induced by combination treatmen...[Clin Neuropharmacol. 2002 Sep-Oct] - PubMed Result
  8. ^ Obama City, Fukui Prefecture
  9. ^ JNTO Website | Find a Location | Fukui | Wakasa Bay
  10. ^ Obama City, Fukui Prefecture
  11. ^ JNTO Website | Find a Location | Fukui | Wakasa Bay
  12. ^ 姉妹・友好都市 小浜市
  13. ^ PM - Japanese town capitalises on Obama name
  14. ^ Norimitsu Onishi, Candidate Wins Support in the East. No, Farther East., The New York Times, February 19, 2008.
  15. ^ Obama receives backing of Obama from The Guardian
  16. ^ Obama letter delights Japanese namesake town., AFP, March 4, 2008.

[edit] External links

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Fukui Prefecture Flag of Fukui Prefecture
Cities
Awara | Echizen | Fukui (capital) | Katsuyama | Obama | Ōno | Sabae | Sakai | Tsuruga
 Shadow picture of Fukui Prefecture
Districts
See also: Towns and villages by district