Ichihara (市原市, Ichihara-shi) is a city, located in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 December 2020[update], the city had an estimated population of 274,117 in 128,316 households and a population density of 240 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the city is 368.20 square kilometres (142.16 sq mi). The city is home, together with the city of Chiba, to the JEF United football club. The whole city is also parts of Greater Tokyo Area.
Geography
Ichihara is located in the western part of the Bōsō Peninsula, and geographically is the largest of Chiba Prefecture's cities and towns. The south is a mountainous area connected to the Boso hills. The highly industrialized northern part of the city faces Tokyo Bay. Ichihara, dense in housing developments, serves as a satellite town of Tokyo and Chiba City.
Ichihara has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Ichihara is 15.1 °C (59.2 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,673.1 mm (65.87 in) with October as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.5 °C (79.7 °F), and lowest in January, at around 4.1 °C (39.4 °F).[2]
Climate data for Ichihara (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1978−present)
During the Meiji period, the area was reorganized into 171 villages under Ichihara District, Chiba Prefecture with the establishment of the modern municipalities system.
Ichihara has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 32 members. Ichihara contributes four members to the Chiba Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Chiba 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Demographics
Per Japanese census data,[6] the population of Ichihara has recently plateaued after several decades of strong growth.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1920
68,825
—
1930
71,287
+3.6%
1940
75,069
+5.3%
1950
98,375
+31.0%
1960
94,309
−4.1%
1970
155,852
+65.3%
1980
216,394
+38.8%
1990
257,716
+19.1%
2000
278,218
+8.0%
2010
280,416
+0.8%
2020
269,524
−3.9%
Economy
The city's economy is fueled by a large industrial complex overlooking Tokyo Bay. It contains the largest number of oil refineries in Japan, as well as power, petrochemical and shipbuilding companies.[7]
Ichihara has 41 public elementary schools and 21 public middle schools operated by the city government, and six public high schools operated by the Chiba Prefectural Board of Education. There are also one private elementary school and two private high schools. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped.
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