Ginowan, Okinawa

Ginowan (宜野湾市, Ginowan-shi) (Okinawan: じのーん, romanized: Jinōn[1]) is a city located in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.

Ginowan

宜野湾市

Jinōn
City
Ginowan City Montage
Flag
Seal
Ginowan
 
Coordinates: 26°16′54″N 127°46′42″E
CountryJapan
RegionKyushu
PrefectureOkinawa Prefecture
Government
 • MayorAtsushi Sakima (since February 2012)
Area
 • Total19.51 km2 (7.53 sq mi)
Population
 (December 2012)
 • Total94,405
 • Density4,838.8/km2 (12,532/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
TreeThurs ebony
FlowerChrysanthemum, Santanka
Phone number098-893-4411
Address1-1-1 Nodake, Ginowan-shi, Okinawa-ken
901-2710
Websitewww.city.ginowan.okinawa.jp(in Japanese)

As of 2012, the city has an estimated population of 94,405, with 40,041 households and a population density of 4,838.8 persons per km².[2] The total area is 19.51 km².

The city borders Chatan to the west, Okinawa City to the North, Urasoe to the south and Nishihara to the East.

History

Ginowan was heavily damaged during World War II. After the war, half of the area of the city was allocated for use by the United States military. A refugee camp was built in the Nodake area of Ginowan. The population of the refugee camp increased exponentially, and the area was renamed Nodake City. The American occupation forces abolished Nodake City in 1946, and renamed the area Ginowan Village. Subsequently, the occupation authorities confiscated the main areas of Ginowan to build military bases. The area became a base town with military bases centered in Nodaka and Futenma.[3]

Around 33% of Ginowan has been leased by the Japanese Ministry of Defense for use as U.S. military base under the Japanese and American mutual defense agreement. and hosts part of the Marine Corps' Camp Foster. Ginowan was elevated to city status on July 1, 1962.

Geography
Ginowan Tropical Beach

Ginowan is located in the south of Okinawa, and sits on the western coast of the island along the East China Sea.[3][4] The city sits on gently-sloping coastal terrace composed of Ryukyuan limestone.[4] 38% of the city is occupied by military bases used by the United States.[3]

Neighboring municipalities

Clockwise, starting north, Ginowan borders on the following municipalities in Okinawa Prefecture:

Its tourist attractions include two castle ruins.

Environmental Investigation

Japanese officials found dozens of abandoned metal drums in October 2013 when they entered the base with US permission to look for buried cultural property, The officials did not report this to the Ginowan city's mayor until March 2014. "No unusual odor or color change in soil" was detected and no health problems have been actively "reported by residents living around the base". Ginowan city government called the Japanese defense ministry to investigate for "possible environmental impacts". The Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said: "We will take appropriate measures in cooperation with the United States and the city of Ginowan" as they plan environmental studies on soil in the week of March 18, 2014. The United States rarely allow environmental inspections on U.S. bases not planned for return to Japan.[5]

Economy
Taimo taro fields in Ginowan

Ginowan has been economically dependent on the United States military.[3][4] The city is home to taro, specifically the taimo (田芋) used in Okinawa cuisine. While the taimo remains the chief product of Ginowan, agriculture greatly declined in the city in the postwar period. Like other municipalities on Okinawa Island, the city produces cut flowers for sale on the home islands of Japan.

Arts and culture

The Okinawa Convention Center was constructed in Ginowan, and has hosted numerous international conferences. The city is also home to the Okinawa Prefectural Ginowan Marina, the Ginowan Municipal Museum, and the Sakima Art Museum.[4]

Education

Ginowan was home to the former Okinawa International University Junior College.

Government

Ginowan is run by a city assembly of 28 elected members.

Transportation

Roads

Ginowan is crossed by Japan National Route 58, which stretches across segments of Kyūshū, Tanegashima, Amami Ōshima, and Okinawa, and Japan National Route 330, which connects the city of Okinawa and the prefectural capital of Naha. Both highways are routed around the U.S. military bases. The Okinawa Expressway, which connects Nago to Naha, runs along the eastern border of the Ginowan.[4]

References
  1. "Shuri-Naha Dialect Dictionary 首里・那覇方言データベース コーレーグス". Okinawan Center of Language Study, University of the Ryukyus 琉球大学 沖縄言語研究センター. Retrieved 2016-07-10. (in Japanese)
  2. 年齢・男女別人口統計表 [Age, Sex, and Population Statistics] (PDF) (in Japanese). Ginoway, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan: City of Ginowan. 2012. Retrieved Jan 28, 2013.
  3. "Ginowan". Encyclopedia of Japan. Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2013. OCLC 56431036. Archived from the original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2013-02-04.
  4. "宜野湾（市）" [Ginowan]. Nihon Daihyakka Zensho (Nipponika) (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2013. OCLC 153301537. Archived from the original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
  5. "Japan to inspect soil at U.S. base in Okinawa for contamination". Kyodo News International. 2014 GlobalPost – International News. 14 March 2014. Archived from the original on 16 March 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
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