Ehime Prefecture

The Ehime Prefecture (愛媛県, Ehime-ken^? ) is one of the prefectures of the Shikoku region (which includes Shikoku Island plus other smaller islands) of Japan. The capital is Matsuyama (松山市; Matsuyama-shi), the main city of the Shikoku region.

Features

It is customary for the prefecture to be divided into Toyo regions (東予, Tōyo^?), Chuyo (中予, Chūyo^?) and Nanyo (南予, Nanyo^? ); in direct reference to the eastern, central and southern regions, respectively, of Iyo Province (伊予国, Iyo no kuni^?), former name of the prefecture.

• Toyo region: includes the cities of Imabari, Saijo and the region that extends east of them.
• Chuyo region: the region between Toyo and Nanyo regions.
• Nanyo region: includes the cities of Oozu, the village of Uchiko and the region that extends west of them.

It has a historical and economic relationship closely linked to Hiroshima Prefecture, separated from it by the Seto Inland Sea.

Geography

It occupies the northwestern portion of the Shikoku region.

It is bordered by land with Kagawa, Tokushima, and Kochi prefectures; and by sea with those of Yamaguchi, Oita and Hiroshima (although with this one it also shares land limits on some islands).

• Mountains
  • Shikoku Mountain Chain
  • Cordillera de Hoo
  • Monte Ishizuchi, with its 1,982 m is the highest in Western Japan (日本語, Nishi-Nihon^?).
  • Mount Higashiakaishi, 1,706 m.

• Plains
  • Dogo Plain
  • Dozen Plain
  • Imabari Plain (أعربية, Imabari-heiya^?)
  • Niihama Plain

• River plains
  • Uwa river plain (מווה, Uwa-bonchi^?)
  • Ozu river plain (, Ozu-bonchi^?)

• Mesetas
  • Kuma Plateau
  • Shiozuka Plateau
  • Tengu Plateau (Facilitating violence, Tengu-kōgen^?)

• Step
  • Hoketsu Pass (Critical Facilitation, Hoketsu-tōge^?)
  • Step of Chikanaga (♥, Chikanaga-tōge^?)
  • Step of Inuyose (寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄 寄, Inuyose-tōge^?)

• Peninsula
  • Sadamisaki Peninsula
  • Takanawa Peninsula
  • Yura Peninsula
  • Miura Peninsula (Русский, Mi'ura-hantō^?)

• Rios
  • Rio Dozan
  • River Hiji
  • Rio Ishite
  • Kamo River
  • Kinsei River
  • Kokuryo River
  • Rio Niyodo, whose upper course is known as Rio Omogo (Manifesto, Omogo-gawa^?)
  • Shigenobu River

• Mares
  • Interior Sea of Seto
  • Uwa Sea

• Islands
  • Hakata Island
  • Naka Island
  • Oo Island
  • Oomi Island

Cities

• Imabari
• I
• Matsuyama (capital)
• Niihama
• σzu
• Saijō
• Seiyo
• Shikokuchūō
• Tōon
• Uwajima
• Yawatahama

Towns and villages

These are the towns and villages in each district:

• Iyo District
  • Masaki
  • Tobe
• Kamiukena District
  • Kumakōgen
• Kita District
  • Uchiko
• Kitauwa District
  • Kihoku
  • Matsuno
• Minamiuwa District
  • Ainan
• Nishiuwa District
  • Ikata
• Ochi District
  • Kamijima

Climate

Two climatic regions can be distinguished, one made up of the region whose coasts are bathed by the Seto Inland Sea and the other by those bathed by the Uwa Sea (name of the Bungo channel in its eastern portion).

• The region of the inner sea of Seto has a typical Mediterranean climate, with high temperatures and low rainfall. Towards the interior, in the Kuma Plateau (▪, Kuma-kōgen^?), the climate becomes increasingly cold; so in its high areas it is not surprising that snow accumulates, in fact there are ski slopes.
• The region that gives the Uwa sea, receives the influence of the current of Kuroshio (, Kuro-shio^?) so its climate is warm and, in part, by the effect of the typhoons, with abundant rains. In spite of being a warm region, although not normal, snowfall occurs during the winter. Especially when the northwest wind blows that is wet, as it crosses the Kanmon Strait (, Kanmon-kaikyō^?) and this region stands in its way.

The direct incidence of typhoons is low compared to Kochi Prefecture. However, when they cross the Chugoku region or the Sea of Japan, that is, when the prefecture is on the east side of the typhoon, it usually causes significant damage.

History

One of the first names given to the region currently occupied by Ehime Prefecture was Iyo Province. During the Edo period, from 1603 to 1867 in Japan, there was a territorial organization system known as Han (藩, Han^?) and which was very similar to European feudalism. In this framework, the eight Han that existed in Iyo province were: Matsuyama (松山藩, Matsuyama-han^?)、Saijo (西条藩 , Saijo-han ^?)、Komatsu (小松藩, Komatsu-han^?)、Imabari (今治藩, Imabari-han^? )、Oozu (大洲藩, Oozu-han^?)、Niiya (新谷藩, Niiya-han^?)、Yoshida (吉田藩, Yoshida-han^?) and Uwajima (宇和島藩, Uwajima-han ^?). There are also records indicating that the Kawanoe Han existed (川之江藩, Kawanoe-han^?), but for a very short period.

In 1871 the Han was abolished, and they were renamed prefectures. In November of the same year, Matsuyama Prefectures (松山県, Matsuyama-ken^?), Saijo (西条県, Saijō-ken^?), Komatsu (小松県, Komatsu-ken^?) and Imabari (今治県, Imabari-ken^?) se merge to form Matsuyama Prefecture; the same goes for Uwajima's (宇和島県, Uwajima-ken^?), Oozu (大洲県, Oozu-ken^?), Niiya (新谷県, Niiya-ken^?) and Yoshida (吉田県, Yoshida-ken^?) renamed Uwajima Prefecture.

In 1872, Matsuyama and Uwajima Prefectures underwent a name change and were renamed, respectively, Ishizuchi Prefecture (石鐵県, Ishizuchi-ken^?) and Kamiyama Prefecture (神山県, Kamiyama-ken^?).

The following year (1873) the two prefectures merged to become Ehime Prefecture.

In 1876 it absorbed the neighboring Kagawa prefecture, but in 1888 they split again.

On October 28, 1888, the Iyo Railway inaugurated the section between Matsuyama Station (present-day Matsuyama City Station) and Mitsu Station (三津駅, Mitsu-eki^?), being the first from the Shikoku Region.

In 1943 Yoshidahama Airfield was opened (吉田浜飛行場, Yoshidahama-hikōjō^?), which would later be renamed Matsuyama Airport.

In 1951 the City of Matsuyama was declared the International City of Cultural Tourism.

In 1973, the Besshi Bronze Mine was closed.

In 1977, the Ikata Nuclear Power Plant was inaugurated.

In 1999, the Nishiseto Highway was partially enabled, which was fully inaugurated in 2006.

Fusions

Great Fusion of the Showa Era

With its peak in 1955, although it was a movement at the national level, a massive process of mergers of cities, towns and villages took place; specifically in Japan it refers to shi-cho-son (市町村, shi-chō-son^?). As of February 1, 1954, there were 6 cities, 41 towns, and 186 towns, totaling 233 administrative units; but as of April 1, 1958, this number was reduced to 10 cities, 42 towns, and 29 towns, that is, 81 administrative units.

Most of these mergers took place during 1956. Subsequently, mergers continued at an increasingly sporadic pace, and since the mid-1960s, only one merger and two integrations have occurred.

Great Fusion of the Heisei Era

As of March 2003 there were 70 shi-cho-son, currently and after the end of the Merger Promotion period implemented by the government, this figure was reduced to 20, eliminating the figure of Villa (村, Mura^?) within the Prefecture.

Previous Political Division

Cities (Shi)

• Hooray
• Imabari
• I
• Iyomishima
• Kawanoe
• Matsuyama (capital)
• Niihama
• σzu
• Saijo
• Seiyo
• Shikokuchūō
• Toyo
• Uwajima
• Yawatahama

Districts (Gun)

• Higashiuwa District (Akehama-cho, Nomura-cho, Shirokawa-cho, Uwa-cho)
• Iyo District (Futami-cho, Hirota-mura, Masaki-cho, Nakayama-cho, Tobe-cho)
• Kamiukena District (Kuma-cho, Mikawa-mura, Oda-cho, Omogo-mura, Yanadani-mura)
• Kita District (Hijikawa-cho, Ikazaki-cho, Kawabe-mura, Nagahama-cho, Uchiko-cho)
• Kitauwa District (Hiromi-cho, Hiyoshi-mura, Matsuno-cho, Mima-cho, Tsushima-cho, Yoshida-cho)
• Minamiuwa District (Ipponmatsu-cho, Jouhen-cho, Mishou-cho, Nishiumi-cho, Uchiumi-mura)
• Nishiuwa District (Honai-cho, Ikata-cho, Mikame-cho, Misaki-cho, Seto-cho)
• Ochi District (Asakura-mura, Hakata-cho, Ikina-mura, Iwagi-mura, Kamiura-cho, Kikuma-cho, Miyakubo-cho, Namikata-cho, Oomishima-cho, Oonishi-cho, Sekizen-mura, Tamagawa-cho, Uoshima-mura, Yoshiumi-cho, Yuge)
• Onsen District (Kawauchi-cho, Nakajima-cho, Shigenobu-cho)
• Shuso District (Komatsu-cho, Tanbara-cho)
• Uma District (Besshiyama-mura, Doi-cho, Shingu-mura)

Later Political Division

Cities

• Imabari is formed by the merger of the city of Imabari more Asakura, Hakata, Kamiura, Kikuma, Miyakubo, Namikata, Oomishima, Oonishi, Sekizen, Tamagawa and Yoshiumi (all of the Ochi District).
• Iyo is formed by the fusion of the city of Iyo more Futami and Nakayama (both of the Iyo District).
• Matsuyama (capital) absorbs the city of Hojo plus Nakajima from the Onsen District.
• Niihama absorbs Besshiyama (Uma district)
• Oozu is formed by the merger of the city of Oozu plus Hijikawa, Kawabe and Nagahama (all of the Kita District).
• Saijo is formed by the fusion of the cities of Saijo and Toyo plus Komatsu and Tanbara (both of the Shuso District).
• Seiyo is formed by the merger of Akehama, Nomura, Shirokawa and Uwa (all of the Higashiuwa District) plus Mikame from the Nishiuwa District.
• Shikokuchuo is formed by the merger of the cities of Iyomishima and Kawanoe plus the towns of Doi and Shingu (both of the Uma District).
• Toon is formed by the merger of Kawauchi and Shigenobu (both of the Onsen District).
• Uwajima is formed by the merger of the city of Uwajima plus Mima, Tsushima and Yoshida (all of the Kitauwa District).
• Yawatahama is formed by the merger of the city of Yawatahama more Honai in the Nishiuwa District.

Districts

• Iyo District
  • Masaki
  • Tobe is formed by the fusion of Tobe and Hirota.
• Kamiukena District
  • Kumakogen is formed by the merger of Kuma, Mikawa, Omogo and Yanadani
• Kita District
  • Uchiko is formed by the merger of Uchiko and Ikazaki plus Oda of the Kamiukena District.
• Kitauwa District
  • Kihoku is formed by the fusion of Hiromi and Hiyoshi.
  • Matsuno
• Minamiuwa District
  • Ainan is formed by the fusion of Ipponmatsu, Johen, Misho, Nishiumi and Uchiumi.
• Nishiuwa District
  • Ikata is formed by the merger of Ikata, Misaki and Seto.
• Ochi District
  • Kamijima is formed by the fusion of Ikina, Iwagi, Yuge and Uoshima.

Government

Governor

The elected governors were:

• Shigeomi Aoki (・, Aoki Shigeomi^?)

1. 1947/04/05 -1951/04

• Sadatake Hisamatsu (Русский, Hisamatsu Sadatake^?)

1. 1951/05/04 - 1955/01/03
2. 1955/01/31 -1959/01/10
3. 1959/01/28 -1963/01/27
4. 1963/01/28 -1967/01/27
5. 1967/01/28 -1971/01/27

• Haruki Shiraishi (, Shira'ishi Haruki^?)

1. 1971/01/28 to1975/01/27
2. 1975/01/28 - 1979/01/27
3. 1979/01/28-1983/01/27
4. 1983/01/28 -1987/01/27

• Sadayuki Iga ( , Iga Sadayuki^?)

1. 1987/01/28 to 1991/01/27
2. 1991/01/28 to 1995/01/27
3. 1995/01/28 - 1999/01/27

• Moriyuki Kato (LINK, Kato Moriyuki^?)

1. 1999/01/28 - 2003/01/27
2. 2003/01/28 - 2007/01/27
3. 2007/01/28 to exercise

Regional governments

There are currently three regional governments:

• Saijo (Toyo Region)
• Matsuyama (Chyo Region)
• Uwajima (Nanyo Region)

Twinned State

• Hawaii (United States of America) Since 21 November 2003.

Economy

The prefectural GDP is about 1% of Japan's GDP.

Industry

• In the Region of Toyo the paper industry of the City of Shikokuchuo, the chemical, machinery, non-metallic and electronic industries of the cities of Niihama and Saijo, and the naval astielleros of the City of Imabari.
• In the Chuyo Region, the service industry is important, with the capital of the Prefecture, the City of Matsuyama, which constitutes it as a governmental, economic and commercial centre. Chemical industries are also being developed in the coastal zone.
• The Nanyo Region stands out for its production of citrus and fish breeding, with little industries.

Education

High school

• Matsuyama Central High School of Ehime Prefecture

Miscellaneous

• Ehime It means "beautiful maiden."
• It is very common to hear the phrase ". に.♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫