Handa (半田市, Handa-shi) is a city located in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 October 2019[update], the city had an estimated population of 118,259 in 51,846 households,[1] and a population density of 2,494 persons per km2. The total area of the city was 47.42 square kilometres (18.31 sq mi).
Handa
半田市 | |
---|---|
![]() Upper stage:Handa Red Brick Warehouse Lower stage:Skyline of Handa City | |
![]() Location of Handa in Aichi Prefecture | |
Coordinates: 34°53′31″N 136°56′17″E / 34.89194°N 136.93806°E | |
Land | Japan |
Region | Chūbu (Tōkai) |
Prefecture | Aichi |
District | Chita (formerly) |
Regierung | |
• Mayor | Takahiro Kuze |
Area | |
• Total | 47.42 km2 (18.31 sq mi) |
Population (October 1, 2019) | |
• Total | 118,259 |
• Density | 2,500/km2 (6,500/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time) |
– Tree | Japanese Black Pine |
– Flower | Satsuki azalea |
Phone number | 0569-21-3111 |
Address | 2-1 Tōyō-chō, Handa-shi, Aichi-ken 475-8666 |
Website | Official website |
Geography
editHanda is located in northeastern Chita Peninsula in southern Aichi Prefecture, and is bordered by Mikawa Bay to the east.
Climate
editThe city has a climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and relatively mild winters (Köppen climate classification Cfa). The average annual temperature in Handa is 15.6 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1632 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 40.5 °C, and lowest in January, at around negative 4 °C.[2]
Demographics
editPer Japanese census data,[3] the population of Handa has increased steadily over the past 70 years.
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1940 | 49,153 | — |
1950 | 62,860 | +27.9% |
1960 | 71,370 | +13.5% |
1970 | 80,663 | +13.0% |
1980 | 89,328 | +10.7% |
1990 | 99,550 | +11.4% |
2000 | 110,837 | +11.3% |
2010 | 118,829 | +7.2% |
Neighboring municipalities
editHistory
editEarly modern period
editDuring the Edo period, the area of Handa was part of Owari Domain.
Late modern period
editIn the post-Meiji restoration establishment of the modern municipalities system on October 1, 1889, the towns of Handa and Kamezaki were founded, as was the town of Narawa the following year. These three towns merged on October 1, 1937, to form the city of Handa.
Regierung
editHanda has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 22 members. The city contributes two members to the Aichi Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Aichi District 8 of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
External relations
editTwin towns – Sister cities
editInternational
edit- Sister cities
- Midland (Michigan, United States of America)
- since June 5, 1981.[4]
- Port Macquarie (New South Wales, Australia)
- since April 14, 1990.[5]
- Friendship city
National
edit- Sister cities
- Nanto (Toyama Prefecture Chūbu region)
- since April 28, 1997.
Economy
editSecondary sector of the economy
editBrewing
editHanda has a strong historical connection with soy sauce, sake and vinegar brewing, and remains the worldwide headquarters of the Mizkan Vinegar Group.[6]
Fertigungsindustrie
editDuring World War II, Nakajima Aircraft Company established an aircraft production plant in Handa. In the post-war period, this was redeveloped into a heavy industrial zone, including a production plant by Dow Chemical. Handa and Midland, Michigan became Sister Cities in 1981, a relationship that continues to this day.[7]
Bildung
editUniversity
edit- Nihon Fukushi University – Handa campus
Schools
edit- Handa has thirteen public elementary schools and five public middle schools operated by the city government, and five public high schools operated by the Aichi Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates two special education schools for the handicapped.
Transport
editRailways
editConventional lines
edit- Taketoyo Line: - Kamezaki – Okkawa – Handa – Higashi-Narawa –
- Kōwa Line: - Handaguchi – Sumiyoshichō – Chita-Handa – Narawa –
- Handa Line: - (freight only)
Roads
editExpressways
editJapan National Routes
edit-
Handa Interchange
-
Chitaōdan Road and Chita Cycling Road
-
Kinuura Oh-hashi Bridge
Local attractions
edit- Handa Red Brick Building
- Mizkan Museum
- Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum
- Yakachi River
- Jōraku-ji
- CLACITY HANDA
-
Mizkan Museum
-
Kunizakari Sake no Bunkakan Museum
-
Niimi Nankichi Memorial Museum
-
Nakanoke Museum
-
Yakachi River
-
CLACITY HANDA
Culture
editFestival
edit- Okkawamatsuri Festival
- Kamesaki Festival
-
Kamesaki Festival
Notable people from Handa
edit- Atsushi Harada, actor
- Eiji Mitsuoka, mixed martial artist
- Hiromi Makihara, professional baseball player
- Keiko Lee, jazz singer
- Nankichi Niimi, author
- Nobuhiro Yamashita, film director
- Ōikari Montarō, sumo wrestler
- Satoru Akahori, author
- Takaya Ishikawa, professional baseball player
References
edit- ^ Handa City official statistics Archived December 7, 2022, at the Wayback Machine (in Japanese)
- ^ Handa climate data
- ^ Handa population statistics
- ^ "Midland official home page". Archived from the original on December 4, 2008.
- ^ a b "International Exchange". List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures. Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). Archived from the original on December 24, 2015. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
- ^ "Mizkan official home page".
- ^ "Sister City Relationship | Midland, MI – Official Website".
External links
editMedia related to Handa, Aichi at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website (in Japanese)