| Fukushima Prefecture | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese transcription(s) | |||
| • Japanese | 福島県 | ||
| • Rōmaji | Fukushima-ken | ||
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| Country | Japan | ||
| Region | Tōhoku | ||
| Island | Honshu | ||
| Capital | Fukushima (city) | ||
| Government | |||
| • Governor | Yūhei Sato | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 13,782.54 km2 (5,321.5 sq mi) | ||
| Area rank | 3rd | ||
| Population (2010-10-01[1]) | |||
| • Total | 2,028,752 | ||
| • Rank | 17th | ||
| • Density | 154/km2 (398.9/sq mi) | ||
| ISO 3166 code | JP-07 | ||
| Districts | 13 | ||
| Municipalities | 59 | ||
| Flower | Nemotoshakunage (Rhododendron brachycarpum) | ||
| Tree | Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata) | ||
| Bird | Narcissus Flycatcher (Ficedula narcissina) | ||
| Website | www.pref.fukushima.jp/ index_e.html |
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Fukushima Prefecture (福島県 Fukushima-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region on the island of Honshu.[2] The capital is the city of Fukushima.[3]
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Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Fukushima prefecture was known as Mutsu Province.[4]
The Shirakawa Barrier and the Nakoso Barrier were built around the 5th century to protect 'civilized Japan' from the 'barbarians' to the north. Fukushima became a Province of Mutsu after the Taika Reforms were established in 646.[5]
In 718, the provinces of Iwase and Iwaki were created, but these areas reverted to Mutsu some time between 722 and 724.[6]
The province of Fukushima was conquered by Prince Subaru in 1293. This region of Japan is also known as Michinoku and Ōshū.
The Fukushima Incident took place in the prefecture after Mishima Michitsune was appointed governor in 1882.
The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the tsunami that followed, and the resulting Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant disaster caused significant damage to the prefecture, primarily but not limited to the eastern Hama-dōri region.
On Friday, March 2011, 14:46 JST, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake occurred off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture. Shindo measurements throughout the prefecture reached as high as 6-upper in isolated regions of Hama-dōri on the eastern coast and as low as a 2 in portions of the Aizu region in the western part of the prefecture. Fukushima City, located in Naka-dōri and the capital of Fukushima Prefecture, measured 6-lower.[7]
Following the earthquake there were isolated reports of major damage to structures, including the failure of Fujinuma Dam[8] as well as damage from landslides.[9] The earthquake also triggered a massive tsunami that hit the eastern coast of the prefecture and caused widespread destruction and loss of life.
Over three months after the earthquake, 1,929 residents of Fukushima Prefecture had either been confirmed dead or were missing as a result of the earthquake and tsunami.[10]
In the aftermath of the earthquake and the tsunami that followed, the outer housings of two of the six reactors at the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant in Ōkuma exploded followed by a partial meltdown and fires at three of the other units. Many residents were evacuated to nearby localities due to the development of a large evacuation zone around the plant. Radiation levels near the plant peaked at 400 mSv/h (millisieverts per hour) after the earthquake and tsunami, due to damage sustained. This resulted in increased recorded radiation levels across Japan.[11]
On April 11, 2011, officials upgraded the disaster to a level 7, the same as that of the Chernobyl disaster.[12]
Fukushima is both the southernmost prefecture of Tōhoku region and the prefecture of Tōhoku region that is closest to Tokyo. It is divided by mountain ranges into three regions called (from west to east) Aizu, Nakadōri, and Hamadōri.
The coastal Hamadōri region lies on the Pacific Ocean and is the flattest and most temperate region, while the Nakadōri region is the agricultural heart of the prefecture and contains the capital, Fukushima City. The mountainous Aizu region has scenic lakes, lush forests, and snowy winters.
Thirteen cities are located in Fukushima Prefecture:
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Towns and villages in each district:
The coastal region traditionally specializes in fishing and seafood industries, and is notable for its electric and particularly nuclear power-generating industry, while the upland regions are more focused on agriculture. As of March 2011, the prefecture produced 20.6% of Japan's peaches and 8.7% of cucumbers.[13]
The capital region has a strong industry in software and electronics.
Legend has it that an ogress, Adachigahara, once roamed the plain after whom it was named. The Adachigahara plain lies close to the city of Fukushima.
Aizuwakamatsu was the site of an important battle in the Boshin War, during which 19 teenage members of the Byakkotai committed ritual seppuku suicide. Their graves on Mt. Iimori are a popular tourist attraction.
Kitakata is well known for its distinctive Kitakata ramen noodles and well-preserved traditional storehouse buildings, while Ouchijuku in the town of Shimogo retains numerous thatched buildings from the Edo Period.
Mount Bandai, in the Bandai-Asahi National Park, erupted in 1888, creating a large crater and numerous lakes, including the picturesque 'Five Coloured Lakes' (Goshiki-numa). The area is popular with hikers and skiers.
Mazie K. Hirono, current US Representative and former Lieutenant Governor for Hawaii, was born in Fukushima Prefecture in 1947, and moved to Hawaii in 1955.
Hideyo Noguchi, the doctor who contributed to knowledge in the fight against syphilis and yellow fever. The Japanese government created the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize in his honor. This was first awarded in May 2008.[20]
Seishiro Okazaki (January 28, 1890 – July 12, 1951) was a Japanese American healer, martial artist, and founder of Danzan Ryu jujitsu. Born in Kakeda, Date County in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, he immigrated to Hawaii in 1906.
Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Fukushima_Prefecture Fukushima Prefecture] at Wikimedia Commons
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