Designated city

Top: Coastal industrial area, Chiba FolkMuseum

Middle: Makuhari Messe, Chiba Port Tower,Chiba Marine Stadium

Bottom: Skyscrapers of Makuhari on thecoast.

Flag

Seal

Location of Chiba in Chiba Prefecture

Chiba, ChibaChiba ( 千葉市 Chiba-shi, Japanese: [tɕi�ba]), literally "Thousand(s) Leaves", is the

capital city of Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It sits about 40 kilometres (25 mi) southeast of

the center of Tokyo on Tokyo Bay.[1] Chiba City became a government-designated city

in 1992. In February 2016, its population was 97 2,861, with a population density of

3,580 people per square kilometer. The city has an area of 27 1.7 6 square kilometres

(104.93 sq mi).

Chiba City is one of the Kantō region's primary seaports, and is home to Chiba Port,

which handles one of the highest volumes of cargo in the nation. Much of the city is

residential, although there are many factories and warehouses along the coast. There

are several major urban centers in the city , including Makuhari, a prime waterfront

business district in which Makuhari Messe is located, and Central Chiba, in which the

prefectural government office and the city hall are located.

Chiba is famous for the Chiba Urban Monorail, the longest suspended monorail in the

world. Some popular destinations in the city include: Kasori Shell Midden, the largest

shellmound in the world at 134,000 m2 (160,000 sq yd), Inage Beach, the first

artificial beach in the nation which forms part of the longest artificial beach in Japan,

and the Chiba City Zoological Park, popular on account of the standing red panda Futa.

Etymology

HistoryEarly history

Medieval period

Later history

Modern history

Climate

Demographics

Polit ics and governmentWards

CultureFacilities

Sports

Transportat ionAirports

Railway

Highway

EducationColleges and universities

High schools

Elementary and middle schools

International schools

Hospitals and cl in ics

Twin towns – sister cit ies

Notable people

See also

References

External l inks

The name of Chiba in the Japanese language is formed from two kanji characters. The

first, 千, means "thousand" and the second, 葉 means "leaves". The name first appears as

an ancient kuni no miyatsuko, or regional command office, as the Chiba Kuni no

Chiba千葉市

Coordinates: 35°36′26.2″N 140°06′22.9″E

Contents

Etymology

 

Coordinates: 35°36′26.2″N140°06′22.9″E

Country Japan

Region Kantō

Prefecture Chiba Prefecture

Government

 • Mayor Toshihito Kumagai

Area

 • Total 271.76 km2 (104.93 sq mi)

Population (February 1, 2016)

 • Total 972,861

 • Density 3,580/km2 (9,300/sq mi)

Time zone Japan Standard Time(UTC+9)

-Tree Zelkova serrata

– Flower Nelumbo nucifera

– Bird Little tern

Phone number 043-245-5111

Address 1-1 Chiba-minato, Chūō-ku, Chiba-shi 260-8722

Website https://www.city.chiba.jp/(https://www.city.chiba.jp/)

Chiba

"Chiba" in kanji

Japanese name

Kanji 千葉

Hiragana ちば

Katakana チバ

Transcriptions

Romanization Chiba

Miyatsuko (千葉国造).[2] The name was adopted by a branch of the Taira clan, which

moved to the area in present-day Chiba City in the late Heian period. The branch of the

Taira adopted the name and became the Chiba clan, which held strong influence over

the area of the prefecture until the Azuchi–Momoyama period. The name "Chiba" was

chosen for Chiba Prefecture at the time its creation in 187 3 by the Assembly of

Prefectural Governors (地方官会議 Chihō Kankai Kaigi), an early Meiji-period body of

prefectural governors that met to decide the structure of local and regional

administration in Japan.[3]

The first records related to the city of Chiba record the emigration of Taira Tsuneshige

(1083?–1088), a powerful bushi warlord of the late Heian period, to Shimōsa Province,

which historically occupied the north of Chiba Prefecture. Tsuneshige was appointed as

gunji administrator of Sōma District, but was transferred to the same position in Chiba

District two years later. Here he proclaimed himself Chiba Tsuneshige ( 千葉常重 ),

became a kokushi governor of the province, and used the area around present-day

Chiba City as a power base to rule over Shimōsa Province, Kazusa Province, as well as

establish himself as a military force in the Kantō region.[4] Tsuneshige's son, Chiba

Tsunetane (千葉常胤) (1118–1201) was instrumental in aiding Minamoto no Y oritomo

(1147 –1199) with the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate. Tsuneshige built a

spacious residence and numerous temples in present-day Chiba City , and in the same

period he transferred his power base from Ōji Castle to Inohana Castle on Mount

Inohana.[5] The area of present-day Chiba City became jōkamachi (城下町), or castle

town, and prospered under the Chiba clan.[6] The clan's power extended in the region

until the Muromachi period.[7][8]

The Chiba clan's power and influence declined because of wars around the Kantō region

during the Nanboku-chō and Muromachi periods. In the 16th century, instead of the

Chiba clan, the Hara clan, which was one of the servants of Chiba clan, wielded power in

this region. In the Sengoku period, the Hara clan was forcibly removed by Ashikaga

Y oshiaki (足利義明 , not to be confused with 足利義昭 ). Then, Ashikaga Y oshiaki was also

removed by the Sakai (酒井 not to be confused with the Sakai clan in Mikawa) clan, which was

one of the servants of the Satomi (里見 ) clan. Finally both the Chiba and Sakai clans were

annihilated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

In the Edo period, the Oyumi (生実氏), Morikawa (森川氏) clan, and the Sakura (佐倉氏) clans

governed the area now occupied by the city . A part of the area was also governed directly by

the Tokugawa Bakufu. The Oyumi clan governed their territory stably . On the other hand,

according to the Sakura clan, from the beginning of the Edo period, changed governors

frequently , including Takeda Nobuyoshi, Matsudaira Tadateru, Ogasawara Y oshitsugu (小笠原

吉次), and Doi Toshikatsu. Finally the Hotta clan stabilized the governance of their territory.

Chiba prospered in this period as a shukuba (宿場) post-town of the Tokugawa shogunate.[6]

After the Meiji Restoration in 1868 and the advent of the railroad in Japan Chiba became the political, economic, and cultural capital of

the Chiba Prefecture. The town of Chiba was established within Chiba District with the creation of the municipalities system on April 1 ,

1889. Chiba City formed on January 1, 1921.[6] Numerous small villages and towns were merged into the previous town of Chiba (千葉

町), a process that continued until 1944. Large-scale land reclamation added to the area of the city throughout the 20th century. The

city was a major center of military production leading up to World War II, and as such, was a target of aerial bombing by the United

States. The city was almost completely destroyed by the end of the war. Post-war industrialization led to the city becoming a major part

of the Keiyō Industrial Zone.[6] Chiba became a Designated City of Japan on April 1 , 1992.[1]

Chiba

History

Early history

Medieval period

Later history

Modern history

Chiba has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with very hot summers and cool to mild winters. Precipitation

is significant throughout the year, but is somewhat lower in winter.

Climate data for Chiba, Chiba

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year

Average high°C (°F)

9.8 (49.6)

10.2(50.4)

13.2(55.8)

18.3(64.9)

22.3(72.1)

25.0(77)

28.6(83.5)

30.5(86.9)

26.9 (80.4)

21.8(71.2)

16.9(62.4)

12.4(54.3)

19.6 (67.3)

Daily mean°C (°F)

5.7 (42.3)

6.1 (43)

8.9 (48)

14.0(57.2)

18.3(64.9)

21.3(70.3)

25.0(77)

26.7(80.1)

23.3 (73.9)

18.0(64.4)

12.9(55.2)

8.3 (46.9)

15.7 (60.3)

Average low°C (°F)

1.9 (35.4)

2.3 (36.1)

5.0 (41)

10.1(50.2)

14.8(58.6)

18.4(65.1)

22.3(72.1)

23.9(75)

20.5 (68.9)

14.9(58.8)

9.2 (48.6)

4.4 (39.9)

12.3 (54.1)

Averageprecipitationmm (inches)

59.6(2.346)

59.5(2.343)

110.0 (4.331)

110.4 (4.346)

112.5 (4.429)

149.9 (5.902)

122.5 (4.823)

134.3 (5.287)

200.4(7.89)

185.9 (7.319)

91.0(3.583)

51.5(2.028)

1,387.5(54.627)

Averagesnowfall cm

(inches)

3 (1.2)

4 (1.6)

1 (0.4)

0 (0)

0 (0)

0 (0)

0 (0)

0 (0)

0(0)

0 (0)

0 (0)

0 (0)

8(3.2)

Averagerelative

humidity (%)55 57 63 68 72 79 80 78 78 73 67 59 69

Meanmonthlysunshine

hours

185.1 162.3 160.3 174.1 172.3 125.2 153.0 190.0 127.7 135.6 142.0 176.1 1,903.7

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_sfc_ym.php?prec_no=45&prec_ch=%90%E7%97t%8C%A7&block_no=47682&block_ch=%90%E7%97t&year=&month=&day=&elm=normal&view=)

As of February 2016, the city had an estimated population of 97 2,861 and a population density of 3,580 persons per km². The total area

of the city is 27 1.7 6 km2 (104.93 sq mi). There were 19,135 registered foreign residents in the city as of March 31, 2007 , making up for

about 2% of the total population. It is the 14th most populated city in Japan.

Chiba was governed by Keiichi Tsuruoka, an independent (elected with support of LDP and

Kōmeitō), until May 1, 2009. He was arrested in April 2009 during a corruption investigation

by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police. He was succeeded by Toshihito Kumagai of the DPJ, who

won election in June 2009.[9]

The city assembly has 54 elected members.

Climate

Demographics

Politics and government

Building of Chiba Prefectural

government and Chiba Urban Monorail

Wards

Wards of Chiba

Chiba has six wards (ku):

Chūō-ku – administrative center

Hanamigawa-ku

Inage-ku

Midori-ku

Mihama-ku

Wakaba-ku

One of the many points of interest is the Experimental Station for Landscape Plants.

Chiba Zoo

Makuhari Messe

Chiba plays host to the annual International Chiba Ekiden and the Chiba International Cross

Country takes place just outside the city . Chiba Velodrome is located within the city . It also

hosts the Bridgestone Open golf tournament.

Chiba is home to several professional sports teams, most notably:

Club Sport League Venue Establ ished

Chiba Lotte Marines Baseball Pacific League Chiba Marine Stadium 1950

JEF United Ichihara Chiba Football J. League Division 2 Fukuda Denshi Arena 1946

There is no commercial airport within city limits. Narita International Airport and Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) are the closest

major airports.

The Chiba Urban Monorail runs through Chiba City . The major intercity railway stations are

Chiba Station, (Sobu Line, Sotobō Line, Uchibo Line, Sōbu Main Line, Narita Line, transfer for

Chiba Urban Monorail), Keisei Chiba Station (Keisei Chiba Line), and Soga Station, (Keiyō Line,

Sotobō Line, Uchibo Line) all in Chūō-ku.

Higashi-Kantō Expressway to Tokyo, Narita and Kashima

Tateyama Expressway to Kisarazu

Keiyō Road

Chiba-Tōgane Road (Japan National Route 126

Japan National Route 14

Chūō-ku

Hanamigawa-ku

Inage-ku

Midori-ku

Mihama-ku

Wakaba-ku

Culture

Facilities

Sports

Home Stadium of the Chiba Marines

Transportation

Airports

Railway

Chiba Station

Highway

Japan National Route 16

Japan National Route 51

Japan National Route 128

Japan National Route 357

Chiba University

Chiba Prefectural University of Health Sciences

Kanda University of International Studies

Tokyo Dental College

Shukutoku University

Keiai University

Chiba Keizai University

Tokyo University of Information Sciences

Uekusa University

Teikyo Heisei University (Chiba campus)

Chiba Meitoku College

Japan Christian Junior College

Chiba has 20 public high schools operated by the Chiba Prefectural Board of Education and two public high schools operated by the

Chiba City Board of Education, including Inage Senior High School. There are also nine private high schools, including the Makuhari

Junior and Senior High School.

Chiba has 114 public and one private elementary school and 59 public and one private middle school.

Chiba Korean Primary and Junior High School

Chiba Kaihin Hospital (Mihama-ku)

Chiba University Hospital (Chuo-ku)

Kashiwado Hospital (Chuo-ku)

Tokyo Dental College Chiba Hospital (Mihama-ku)

Koizumi Clinic (Hanamigawa-ku)

Mizuno Clinic (Hanamigawa-ku)

Hirayama Hospital (Hanamigawa-ku)

Chiba is twinned with:

North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada,[10] since January 1, 1970

Asunción, Paraguay,[10] since January 1, 1970

Houston, Texas, United States, since October 24, 1972[11]

Quezon City, Philippines,[10] since November 9, 1972

Tianjin, China,[10] since May 7, 1986

Montreux, Switzerland,[10] since May 28, 1996

Wujiang, China,[10] since October 10, 1996

Sawa Ishige, born in Shizuoka but moved to Chiba

Ryuta Kawashima, born in Chiba in 1959

Masaki Aiba, of Arashi

Pata, of X Japan and Ra:IN

Education

Colleges and universities

High schools

Elementary and middle schools

International schools

Hospitals and clinics

Twin towns – sister cities

Notable people

Yukihiro of L'Arc-en-Ciel, from Chiba and a graduate of The Chiba University of Commerce

Tomohisa Yamashita, of NEWS

Naohito Fujiki, Japan Academy Prize-winning actor

Natsuki Mizu, top star of Snow Troupe in the Takarazuka Revue

Daiki Arioka, of Hey! Say! JUMP

Shiho Fujita, better known as Sifow

Mirei Kiritani, actress, model, news anchor

Kentaro Miura, creator of Berserk

Tao Okamoto, model

Reina Fujie of NMB48

Cho Chikun, Go-player and Honorable citizen of Chiba City (1996).[12]

Shiina Natsukawa, pop idol and member of girl group TrySail

Japan portal

Tokyo portal

Official Website (https://www.city.chiba.jp/) (in Japanese)

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chiba,_Chiba&oldid=854401239"

This page was last edited on 11 August 2018, at 02:28 (UTC).

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Termsof Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.

1. "Chiba-shi (千葉市)" (http://rekishi.jkn21.com/). Nihon Rekishi Chimei Taikei (日本歴史地名大系 (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012.

Retrieved 2012-04-10.

2. 千葉国造（下総） (http://www.nihonjiten.com/data/263228.html)(in Japanese)

3. "千葉県の成立と行政的変遷" (https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/). Nihon Rekishi Chimei Taikei (日本歴

史地名大系) (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. Archived from the original (http://rekishi.jkn21.com/) on 2007-08-25. Retrieved

2012-04-01.

4. "Chiba Tsuneshige (千葉常重)" (https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/). Nihon Jinmei Daijiten (日本人名大

辞典) (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. Archived from the original (http://rekishi.jkn21.com/) on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2012-04-10.

5. "Chiba Tsunetane (千葉常胤)" (https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/). Nihon Jinmei Daijiten (日本人名大

辞典) (in Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. Archived from the original (http://rekishi.jkn21.com/) on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2012-04-10.

6. "Chiba" (https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/). Encyclopedia of Japan. Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. Archived

from the original (http://rekishi.jkn21.com/) on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2012-04-10.

7. "Chiba" (https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/). Encyclopedia of Japan. Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. Archived

from the original (http://rekishi.jkn21.com/) on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2012-02-27.

8. "Chiba-shi (千葉氏)" (https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/). Kokushi Daijiten (国史大辞典) (in Japanese).

Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. Archived from the original (http://rekishi.jkn21.com/) on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2012-04-10.

9. DPJ-backed Kumagai takes Chiba mayoral election (http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20090615a1.html), Japan Times Online, June 15,

2009

10. "International Exchange" (https://web.archive.org/web/20160304204202/http://www.clair.or.jp/cgi-bin/simai/e/03.cgi?p=12&n=Chiba%20Pref

ecture). List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures. Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). Archived from the

original (http://www.clair.or.jp/cgi-bin/simai/e/03.cgi?p=12&n=Chiba%20Prefecture) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2015.

11. "The City of Houston, Houston Office of Protocol and International Affairs" (https://web.archive.org/web/20130517054714/http://www.houst

ontx.gov/protocol/sistercities.html). Archived from the original (http://www.houstontx.gov/protocol/sistercities.html) on 2013-05-17.

12. the Nihon Ki-in (http://www.nihonkiin.or.jp/player/htm/ki000004.htm)

See also

References

External links