Higashiōsaka (東大阪市, Higashiōsaka-shi, literally "East Osaka City") is a city located in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 July 2023[update], the city had an estimated population of 486,464 in 233,124 households and a population density of 7,874 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the city is 61.78 square kilometres (23.85 sq mi). The city is known as one of the industrial cities of Japan and "the rugby football town".
Geography
Higashiōsaka is located in the eastern part of the Osaka Plain, bordered by the Osaka metropolis to the west. Most of the city area is flat lowlands laced with rivers and has been subject to periodic flooding. The main rivers include the Nagase River, Onji River, Tamagushi River, and Daini Neya River. The eastern part of the city rises to the Ikoma Mountains, forming the border with Nara Prefecture. The city measures approximately 11.2 kilometers from east-to-west by 7.9 kilometers from north-to-south.[1]
Higashiōsaka has a Humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Higashiōsaka is 15.6 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1475 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.7 °C, and lowest in January, at around 4.2 °C.[2]
Demographics
Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Higashiōsaka increased rapidly from the 1950s through 1970s, and has leveled off since.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1950
228,923
—
1960
318,001
+38.9%
1970
500,173
+57.3%
1980
521,558
+4.3%
1990
518,319
−0.6%
2000
515,094
−0.6%
2010
509,632
−1.1%
History
The location of Higashiōsaka corresponds to the central part of Kawachi Province. In ancient times, this area was an extension of Osaka Bay called Kawachi Bay, which gradually became separated from the sea and became a lake. The lake gradually became land due to the accumulation of sediment by the Yamato River. During the Kofun and Asuka periods, this was the homeland of the Mononobe clan, and was on the main road between the Yamato Basin and the port at Naniwa, with sea connections to the Asian continent. During the Heian period, the area was largely controlled by Hiraoka Shrine. From the Muromachi period, it was the base of the Hatakeyama clan to control Kawachi Province, but due to internal conflicts it can under the control of the Miyoshi clan. Later it was the site of battles during the 1615 Siege of Osaka. In the Edo Period, flood control projects on the Yamato River created a large amount of reclaimed land, which was developed by wealthy Osaka merchants for rice and cotton production.
The modern city was founded on February 1, 1967, by a merger of three cities, Fuse (布施), Kawachi (河内) and Hiraoka (枚岡). On April 1, 2005, Higashiōsaka became a Core city with increased local autonomy.
Government
Higashiōsaka has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 38 members. Higashiōsaka contributes five members to the Osaka Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Osaka 13th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Higashiōsaka is one of the most densely populated areas of small and medium-sized enterprises in Japan, and many small factories with high technology occupy a global share. The ratio of factories to the area is the highest in Japan. The number of factories is also the highest except for government-designated cities such as Osaka City and Yokohama City. However, industry has been decreasing in recent years, and there are cases where factory sites have been converted to residential areas for commuters to the Osaka metropolis.
Yamamoto Kogaku, an eyewear manufacturer, known for its brand Swans, is headquartered in the city.[4] The city is also home of RAYS, a high-end wheel manufacturer for both motorsport and street use.[5]
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