Miyagi Prefecture

Last updated
Miyagi Prefecture
宮城県
Japanese transcription(s)
   Japanese 宮城県
   Rōmaji Miyagi-ken
Sendai Tanabata 2023.jpg
Sendai Street Tanabata on August
SendaiCity Skylines from Mukaiyama2018.jpg
Sky line of Sendai city
Bai Shi Chuan Di Yi Mu Qian Ben Ying 20220417-IMG 1356.jpg
First Glance Thousand Tree of Cherry blossoms in Ōkawara
Kurikoma's autumn grass (53344521168).jpg
Autumn colour in Mount Kurikoma
Zunda-mochi.jpg
Zunda sweets
Flag of Miyagi Prefecture.svg
Emblem of Miyagi Prefecture.svg
Anthem: Kagayaku Kyōdo
Map of Japan with highlight on 04 Miyagi prefecture.svg
CountryFlag of Japan.svg Japan
Region Tōhoku
Island Honshu
Capital Sendai
Subdivisions Districts: 10, Municipalities: 35
Government
   Governor Yoshihiro Murai
Area
  Total
7,282.22 km2 (2,811.68 sq mi)
  Rank 16th
Population
 (August 1, 2023)
  Total
2,265,724
  Rank 15th
  Density311.131/km2 (805.825/sq mi)
GDP
[1]
  Total JP¥ 9,615 billion
US$ 71 billion (2022)
ISO 3166 code JP-04
Website www.pref.miyagi.jp
SymbolsofJapan
BirdWild goose
FlowerMiyagi bush clover ( Lespedeza thunbergii )
Tree Japanese zelkova
(Zelkova serrata)
Panoramic view of Sendai plain, spreading to Sendai metropolitan area in Miyagi Prefecture 20090719Xian Tai Ping Ye .jpg
Panoramic view of Sendai plain, spreading to Sendai metropolitan area in Miyagi Prefecture

Miyagi Prefecture (宮城県, Miyagi-ken; Japanese pronunciation: [mʲiꜜ.ja.ɡʲi,-ŋʲi,mʲi.ja.ɡʲiꜜ.keɴ,-ŋʲiꜜ-] [2] ) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region of Honshu. [3] Miyagi Prefecture has a population of 2,265,724 (1 August 2023) and has a geographic area of 7,282 km2 (2,812 sq mi). Miyagi Prefecture borders Iwate Prefecture to the north, Akita Prefecture to the northwest, Yamagata Prefecture to the west, and Fukushima Prefecture to the south.

Contents

Sendai is the capital and largest city of Miyagi Prefecture, and the largest city in the Tōhoku region, with other major cities including Ishinomaki, Ōsaki, and Tome. [4] Miyagi Prefecture is located on Japan's eastern Pacific coast and bounded to the west by the Ōu Mountains, the longest mountain range in Japan, with 24% of its total land area being designated as Natural Parks. Miyagi Prefecture is home to Matsushima Islands, a group of islands ranked as one of the Three Views of Japan, near the town of Matsushima.

History

Miyagi Prefecture was formerly part of the province of Mutsu. [5]

2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami

On March 11, 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and a subsequent major tsunami hit Miyagi Prefecture, causing major damage to the area. [6] The tsunami was estimated to be approximately 10 metres (33 ft) high in Miyagi Prefecture. [7]

On April 7, 2011, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the coast of Miyagi, Japan. Workers were then evacuated from the nearby troubled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant once again, as a tsunami warning was issued for the coastline. Residents were told to flee inland at that time.

In 2013, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako visited the prefecture to see the progress made since the tsunami. [8]

Geography

Map of Miyagi Prefecture
Government Ordinance Designated City City Town Village Map of Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Map of Miyagi Prefecture
     Government Ordinance Designated City     City     Town     Village

Miyagi Prefecture is in the central part of Tōhoku, facing the Pacific Ocean, and contains Tōhoku's largest city, Sendai. There are high mountains on the west and along the northeast coast, but the central plain around Sendai is fairly large.

Matsushima is known as one of the three most scenic views of Japan, with a bay full of 260 small islands covered in pine groves.

Oshika Peninsula projects from the northern coastline of the prefecture.

As of 31 March 2019, 24% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as Natural Parks, namely the Sanriku Fukkō National Park; Kurikoma and Zaō Quasi-National Parks; and Abukuma Keikoku, Asahiyama, Funagata Renpō, Futakuchi Kyōkoku, Kenjōsan Mangokuura, Kesennuma, Matsushima, and Zaō Kōgen Prefectural Natural Parks. [9] [10]

In addition, Miyagi Prefecture is a prefecture that is particularly prone to earthquakes even in Japan, which is an earthquake-prone country. Large earthquakes occur frequently Miyagi offshore, and earthquakes also occur frequently inland. In the 2011 Tohoku earthquake that occurred Miyagi offshore, Miyagi Prefecture suffered the most damage nationwide.

Cities

Fourteen cities are located in Miyagi Prefecture:

NameArea (km2)PopulationPopulation density (per km2)Map
Rōmaji Kanji
Flag of Higashimatsushima, Miyagi.svg Higashimatsushima 東松島市101.3639,098385.73 Higashimatsushima in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Ishinomaki, Miyagi.svg Ishinomaki 石巻市554.55140,151252.73 Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Iwanuma, Miyagi.svg Iwanuma 岩沼市60.4544,068729.00 Iwanuma in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Kakuda, Miyagi.svg Kakuda 角田市147.5327,976189.63 Kakuda in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Kesennuma Miyagi.svg Kesennuma 気仙沼市332.4461,147183.93 Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Kurihara, Miyagi.svg Kurihara 栗原市804.9764,63780.30 Kurihara in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Natori, Miyagi.svg Natori 名取市98.1778,718801.85 Natori in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Osaki, Miyagi.svg Ōsaki 大崎市796.76127,330159.81 Osaki in Miyagi Ja.svg
Flag of Sendai, Miyagi.svg Sendai (capital)仙台市786.31,096,7041394.77 Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Shiogama, Miyagi.svg Shiogama 塩竈市17.3752,2033005.35 Shiogama in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Shiroishi, Miyagi.svg Shiroishi 白石市286.4832,758114.35 Shiroishi in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Tagajo, Miyagi.svg Tagajō 多賀城市19.6962,8273190.81 Tagajo in Miyagi Prefecture - Ja.svg
Flag of Tome, Miyagi.svg Tome 登米市536.1276,037141.83 Tome in Miyagi Prefecture - Ja.svg
Flag of Tomiya, Miyagi.svg Tomiya 富谷市49.1851,6511050.24 Tomiya in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg

Towns and villages

These are the towns and villages in each district:

NameArea (km2)PopulationPopulation density (per km2)DistrictTypeMap
Rōmaji Kanji
Flag of Kami, Miyagi.svg Kami 加美町460.6721,94347.63 Kami District Town Kami in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Kawasaki, Miyagi.svg Kawasaki 川崎町270.778,63731.90 Shibata District Town Kawasaki in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Marumori Miyagi.svg Marumori 丸森町273.313,09247.90 Igu District Town Marumori in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Matsushima, Miyagi.svg Matsushima 松島町53.5613,804257.73 Miyagi District Town Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Minamisanriku, Miyagi.svg Minamisanriku 南三陸町163.412,51676.60 Motoyoshi District Town Minamisanriku in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Misato, Miyagi.svg Misato 美里町74.9524,565327.75 Tōda District Town Misato in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Murata, Miyagi.svg Murata 村田町78.3810,675136.20 Shibata District Town Murata in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Ogawara, Miyagi.svg Ōgawara 大河原町24.9923,618945.10 Shibata District Town Ogawara in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Ohira, Miyagi.svg Ōhira 大衡村60.325,91898.11 Kurokawa District Village Ohira in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Onagawa, Miyagi.svg Onagawa 女川町65.356,31996.69 Oshika District Town Onagawa in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Osato, Miyagi.svg Ōsato 大郷町82.017,97297.31 Kurokawa District Town Osato in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Rifu, Miyagi.svg Rifu 利府町44.8936,014802.27 Miyagi District Town Rifu in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Shibata, Miyagi.svg Shibata 柴田町54.0337,617696.22 Shibata District Town Shibata in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Shichigahama, Miyagi.svg Shichigahama 七ヶ浜町13.1918,4471398.56 Miyagi District Town Shichigahama in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Hichigajuku Miyagi.svg Shichikashuku 七ヶ宿町263.091,3235.03 Katta District Town Shichikashuku in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Shikama, Miyagi.svg Shikama 色麻町109.286,72361.52 Kami District Town Shikama in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Taiwa, Miyagi.svg Taiwa 大和町225.4928,436126.11 Kurokawa District Town Taiwa in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Wakuya, Miyagi.svg Wakuya 涌谷町82.1615,763191.86 Tōda District Town Wakuya in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Watari, Miyagi.svg Watari 亘理町73.633,459454.61 Watari District Town Watari in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Yamamoto, Miyagi.svg Yamamoto 山元町64.5812,100187.36 Watari District Town Yamamoto in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg
Flag of Zao, Miyagi.svg Zaō 蔵王町152.8311,79077.14 Katta District Town Zao in Miyagi Prefecture Ja.svg

Mergers

Economy

Although Miyagi has a good deal of fishing and agriculture, producing a great deal of rice and livestock, it is dominated by the manufacturing industries around Sendai, particularly electronics, appliances, and food processing.

As of March 2011, the prefecture produced 4.7% of Japan's rice, 23% of oysters, and 15.9% of sauries. [11]

In July 2011, the Japanese government decided to ban all shipments of beef cattle from northeast Miyagi Prefecture over fears of radioactive contamination. [12] This has since been rescinded.

Demographics

Miyagi prefecture population pyramid in 2020 Miyagi prefecture population pyramid in 2020.svg
Miyagi prefecture population pyramid in 2020

According to Japanese census data, Miyagi prefecture experienced its greatest period of growth from 1940 to 1950 and continued to exhibit growth up until the 21st century. [13] Nevertheless, like the majority of Japan, the population of Miyagi has begun to slowly decline. The prefectural capital of Sendai, however, has seen a moderate, but steady rise in population over the past twenty years. [14]

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1890 735,100    
1920 962,000+30.9%
1930 1,143,000+18.8%
1940 1,271,000+11.2%
1950 1,663,000+30.8%
1960 1,743,000+4.8%
1970 1,819,000+4.4%
1980 2,082,000+14.5%
1990 2,249,000+8.0%
2000 2,365,320+5.2%
2010 2,348,165−0.7%
2020 2,301,996−2.0%

Education

University

Transportation

Sendai Station in August 2010 Sendai sta03s3872.jpg
Sendai Station in August 2010

Rail

Roads

Expressways and toll roads

National highways

Ports

Sendai Airport 211028 Sendai Airport Sendai Miyagi prefecture Japan01bs.jpg
Sendai Airport

Airports

Sports

Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi. Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi (2019).jpg
Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi.

The sports teams listed below are based in Miyagi Prefecture.

Also, the Sendai Hi-Land Raceway hosts motorsport road races.

Visitor attractions

Sendai was the castle town of the daimyō Date Masamune. The remains of Sendai Castle stand on a hill above the city.

Miyagi Prefecture boasts one of Japan's three greatest sights. Matsushima, the pine-clad islands, dot the waters off the coast of the prefecture.

The following are also noted as attractions:

Famous festivals and events

Suzume Dancing Event in Aoba Festival Suzumeodori070520.JPG
Suzume Dancing Event in Aoba Festival
Aoba Festival of Sendai Sendaiaoba070520.jpg
Aoba Festival of Sendai
View of Traditional New Year's sale in Sendai SendaiHatsuuri-crowd2.jpg
View of Traditional New Year's sale in Sendai

Miyagi Prefecture is one of the main settings of the manga and anime series Haikyū!! . The most well-known fictional schools located there are Karasuno High School, Aoba Johsai High School, Date Tech High and Shiratorizawa Academy, as well as Sendai City Gymnasium. Another anime series Wake Up, Girls! is also set in Miyagi Prefecture.

Notes

  1. "2020年度国民経済計算(2015年基準・2008SNA) : 経済社会総合研究所 - 内閣府". 内閣府ホームページ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  2. NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute, ed. (24 May 2016). NHK日本語発音アクセント新辞典 (in Japanese). NHK Publishing.
  3. Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Miyagi prefecture" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 648 , p. 648, at Google Books; "Tōhoku" in p. 970 , p. 970, at Google Books.
  4. Nussbaum, "Sendai" in p. 841 , p. 841, at Google Books.
  5. Nussbaum, "Provinces and prefectures" in p. 780 , p. 780, at Google Books
  6. "Japan earthquake: Tsunami hits north-east". BBC News. March 11, 2011. Archived from the original on March 12, 2011.
  7. Williams, Martyn (10 March 2011). "Report from Japan: Impact of Tsunami Devastates Nation's Northeast". Voice of America. Archived from the original on 9 January 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  8. "Crown Prince Naruhito, Princess Masako visit tsunami victims in Miyagi". Japan Daily Press. Archived from the original on 2013-08-24. Retrieved 2013-08-22.
  9. 自然公園都道府県別面積総括 [General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture](PDF) (in Japanese). Ministry of the Environment . Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  10. 宮城県の自然公園 [Natural Parks in Miyagi Prefecture] (in Japanese). Miyagi Prefecture. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  11. Schreiber, Mark, "Japan's food crisis goes beyond recent panic buying Archived 2011-04-20 at the Wayback Machine ", Japan Times , 17 April 2011, p. 9.
  12. "Japan suspends shipment of Miyagi beef over contamination - Home » Other Sections » Breaking News". www.philstar.com. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  13. "Japan Prefectures Population from 1920 and Area". www.demographia.com. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  14. "Sendai (City (-shi), Miyagi, Japan) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 2021-12-24.

References

38°21′N140°58′E / 38.350°N 140.967°E / 38.350; 140.967