Isesaki, Gunma

Isesaki (伊勢崎市, Isesaki-shi) is a city located in Gunma Prefecture, Japan.

As of June 2011, the city has an estimated population of 211,021, with 80,638 households and a population density of 1,514.54 persons per km². The total area is 139.33 km².

A small city located near the geographic center of Japan's main island of Honshū, Isesaki is the fourth largest city in Gunma Prefecture and it is one of the growing cities within Gunma Prefecture. The center of the city is 15 km (9 mi) away from central Maebashi, 95 km (59 mi) from Central Tokyo, and it is located in the northwestern portion of the Kantō region and is next door neighbor to Saitama Prefecture across the Tone River.

History

The city was founded on September 13, 1940.

Isesaki is the birthplace of Mitsuru Adachi, the creator of the baseball manga Touch, as well as several others. It is also the location of J-List, a retailer of anime goods, visual novels and related products from Japan.

Isesaki is famous for silk fabrics (along with neighboring Kiryu). This craft is known as Isesaki Meisen. It has been made since the late 17th century, and became popular during the Meiji and Taishō periods. Now, however, due to the ubiquity of Western-style clothes, its popularity is decreasing.

On January 1, 2005, the towns of Akabori and Sakai, and the village of Azuma (all from Sawa District) were merged into Isesaki.

In May 2010, the town made national and international news for banning male city workers from having beards.

Economy

The automotive equipment and electrical equipment manufacturing company Sanden Corporation is headquartered in the city. Also the city is home to Meisei Electric, a communications and electronics equipment and electric measuring instruments manufacturing company.

Surrounding municipalities

• Gunma Prefecture
  • Maebashi
  • KiryÅ«
  • ÅŒta
  • Midori
  • Tamamura
• Saitama Prefecture
  • Honjo
  • Fukaya

Sister cities

In Japan

• Teradomari, Niigata

Outside Japan

• Springfield, Missouri, United States
• Ma'anshan, People's Republic of China

References

External links

Media related to Isesaki, Gunma at Wikimedia Commons

• Isesaki City official website (Japanese)