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Member Regional Governments

Introduction

Member Regional Governments Japan Aomori Prefecture Introduction

MIYASHITA Soichiro

  • NationJapan
  • Government NameAomori Prefecture
  • GovernorMIYASHITA Soichiro

Symbol

Emblem

Emblem

 

Tree

Tree

Hiba

Bird

Bird

Swan

Flower

Flower

Apple Blossom

Fish

Fish

Flounder

History

  • Before the early Edo period, Aomori was a small fishing village called Uto. As the Edo period began, Uto-mura was brought under the control of the Tsugaru samurai clan, and became part of the Tsugaru Domain (han). As the clan established the capital in Hirosaki, Uto-mura also began to develop.
  • In 1612, the Port Development Officer of Tsugaru, Moriyama Yashichiro, under orders of the daimyo, Tsugaru Nobuhira, began the development of Uto-mura, adopting the name to Aomori and making it into the local seaport and trade center for Hirosaki. During the Meiji Restoration the Han System was abolished and the prefecture system was established. In July 1871, Aomori became a part of Hirosaki prefecture, succeeding the area covered by the Tsugaru han. Due to a merger on September of that year, Hirosaki prefecture(encompassing the same area as present-day Aomori prefecture) was founded. The prefectural capital however, was moved from Hirosaki to Aomori soon after the merger and the prefecture was renamed to Aomori Prefecture.

Topographic Features

  • The Aomori Prefecture is situated on the northernmost tip of the Japanese main island.
  • The Aomori Prefecture is situated on the northernmost tip of the Japanese main island facing Hokkaido, with Tsugaru Strait in between. The Ou Mountains that run from north to south divides the prefecture, thus, forming very different climates in the east and the west - lots of snow on the Japan Sea (East Sea)side and low temperatures even in the summer on the Pacific Ocean side. Aomori Prefecture has abundant nature still left within : the Shirakami-Sanchi Mountain Range which embraces the world's largest virgin forest of beech trees and Lake Towada-ko known for its mystic beauty, etc. Aquaculture and agriculture industries of Aomori are especially well developed. In particular, the prefecture boasts the highest production of apples.

Basic Information

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Geography/Climate
  • Area: 9,607.05㎢
  • Location: 40°12'N.-41°33'N latitude and 139°30'E-141°41'E longitude
  • Climate: Average temperature 11.1℃, annual precipitation 1,293.0㎜
Population
  • Population: 1,226,343(February 2021)
  • Household: 576,092(February 2021)
Major Events
  • February: Lake Towada Winter Story Festival, Hachinohe Enburi Festival, Hirosaki Snow Lantern Festival
  • May: Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival
  • July: Mt. Osore Grand Festival, Hachinohe Grand Festival
  • August: Aomori Nebuta Festival, Hirosaki Neputa Festival, Goshogawara Tachi-Neputa
Cultural Heritage
  • Lake Towada, Oirase Gorge, Mount Hakkoda and the Shirakami Mountain Range, ruins from the Jomon period such as those at the Sannai Maruyama Historical Site, Shayokan - Osamu Dazai Memorial Museum, Hotokegaura Coastline, Hirosaki Park, Tanesashi Beach, Mount Osore
Sisterhood & Friendship Provinces / Cities
  • Korea: Jeju Special Self-Governing Province(Aug 2016)
  • Russia: Khabarovsk Territory(Aug 1992)
  • Others: Santa Catarina, Brazil (Oct 1980), Main, US (May 1994), Liguria Province, Italy (May 2002)

Economic Status

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Economy
  • GRDP(nominal): ¥4,623.9 bln (2006)
  • Per Capita Income: ¥2,443,000(2006)
  • Fiscal budget(2008) : ¥707.8 bln
Industry
  • Industrial structure(2006)- Primary industry: 4.2% - Secondary industry: 23.5% - Tertiary industry: 72.2%
Products
  • Agricultural products: Apple, rice, scallop, yam, garlic.
  • Industrial products : processed apple products and marine products.
  • Specialty products: Tsugaru-nuri lacquer ware.

Others

  • Contact:Bureau of International Tourism Strategies, Department of International Economy
  • Address: 青森県 青森市 長島 1-1-1
  • Tel.:+81-17-734-9218
  • Fax.:+81-17-7348119
  • Official Website : www.pref.aomori.lg.jp