CHIBA, JAPAN
Date Established: October 1972, under Mayor Louis Welch
President: Ms. Miwa Sakashita 713-993-0913 miwa@pdq.net
GEOGRAPHY
Location: Japan is an archipelago located on the Pacific Ocean, east of
China. Chiba is on the Honshu Island about 35 km (22 miles) east of Tokyo.
Description: Capital of Chiba Prefecture that has developed rapidly as a
business subcenter of greater Tokyo. Fast-developing industrial city and
chief port since the Edo Period, and has the largest cargo volume in Japan.
PEOPLE
Ethnicity: Japanese
Language: Japanese
City Population: 870,000
Religion: Mostly Buddhism and Shintoism.
ECONOMY
Natural Resources:Sulphur
Industries: Manufacturing, agriculture, fishing, forestry and mining.
Specializes in steel production and oil refining
Exports: Transport equipment, machinery, electrical and electronic goods,
iron and steel, chemicals, fuel, ships and metal goods
Imports: Oil products, crude oil, iron ore and coal
Currency: yen per US$1 - 107.7 (Jan. 2000)
HISTORY
In Chiba, there are many sites where large villages of the Jomon Period
stood, proving that people lived in the area more than 5,000 years ago. The
culture that was nurtured through the millennia has been passed on and
preserved in the city today. In 1992, Chiba became the 12th
government-designated city in Japan and is a "business nucleus
city" designed to foster the decentralization of Tokyo's socioeconomic
activities.
FACTS
* The new urban center in Makuhari District, Chiba City has drawn much
attention. It is the home of the largest convention center in East Asia, the
Makuhari Messe. This complex accounts for only 1/20 of a 522-hectare
futuristic community that when completed will boast a "Technological
Garden," "World Business Garden," and fashion zone with a
daytime working population of 100,000.
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
Head of State: Emperor Akihito (since Jan. 7, 1989)
Type: Constitutional Monarchy. The Emperor has no governing power. The prime
minister and his cabinet form the executive power and are vested in the
DIET, consisting of the Houston of Representatives and the House of
Councillors. Japan has 47 prefectures (provinces), each administered by an
elected governor.
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
Head of City: Mayor Asahi Matsui, since 1977. (City Assembly of 56
members.)
Term: 4 year term, next election July 2000.
