Higashimurayama, Tokyo

Higashimurayama is a city located in the western portion of the Tokyo Metropolis, Japan., the city had an estimated population of 148,275, and a population density of 8700 persons per km². The total area of the city is.

Geography

Higashimurayama is located on the eastern edge of the Sayama Hills, almost in the center of the Musashino Terrace. Most of the city area is flat, except for the northwestern hills.

Surrounding municipalities

Saitama Prefecture

Tokorozawa

Climate

Higashimurayama has a humid subtropical climate characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Higashimurayama is 14.0 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1647 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.7 °C, and lowest in January, at around 2.3 °C.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Higashimurayama increased rapidly in the 1950s and 1960s and has plateaued in recent decades.

History

The area of present-day Higashimurayama has been inhabited since Japanese Paleolithic times, and numerous remains from the Jōmon, Yayoi and Kofun periods have been discovered. During the Nara period, it became part of ancient Musashi Province. During the Kamakura period, it was the location of the Battle of Kumegawa in 1333.
In the post-Meiji Restoration cadastral reform of April 1, 1889, several villages merged to form Higashimurayama Village in Kitatama District, at that time part of Kanagawa Prefecture. The entire district was transferred to the control of Tokyo Prefecture on April 1, 1893. On April 1, 1942, Higashimurayama Village became the town of Higashimurayama. On April 1, 1964, Higashimurayama was elevated to city status.

Government

Higashimurayama has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 25 members. Higashimurayama, collectively with Higashiyamato and Musashimurayama, contributes three members to the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Tokyo 20th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

Higashimurayama was formerly an agricultural area, and was noted for its production of sweet potatoes. It is now primary a regional commercial center, and a bedroom community for central Tokyo.