Harima (播磨町) is a town located in Kako District, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. , the town had an estimated population of 34,735 in 15410 households and a population density of 3800 persons per km². The total area of the town is 9.13 sqkm. The town is named after Harima Province, one of the old provinces of Japan. The town flower is the chrysanthemum.

Geography

Harima is located in the southeastern part of the Harima district in Hyōgo prefecture, in the Kisegawa River basin south of the Innanno plateau. The south borders the Seto Inland Sea, and there are two man-made island, Niijima and Higashiniijima which form approximately 30% of the town area.

Neighbouring municipalities

Hyōgo Prefecture

Climate

Harima has a Humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light snowfall. The average annual temperature in Harima is 15.7 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1527 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.86 °C, and lowest in January, at around 5.2 °C.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Harima expanded rapidly in the 1970s and has since leveled off.

History

The area of the modern town of Harima was within ancient Harima Province. In the Edo Period, the area was part of the holdings of Himeji Domain. Following the Meiji restoration, the village of Ae (阿閇村) was created within Kako District, Hyōgo with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Due to conflicts arising in merger negotiations with Akashi and Kakogawa, the village has opted to remain independent, and was raised to town status on April 1, 1962.

Government

Harima has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 14 members. Karima, together Inami, contributes one member to the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Hyōgo 14th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Harima resident charter

Harima-chō is an ancient village full of history. Our town flourishes on natural gifts and ancestral efforts. We established this charter to make our town a more peaceful and worthwhile hometown. We grow flowers and trees to make the town prosperous. We respect one another and have opportunities to meet eye-to-eye. We enjoy working and we create happy homes. We are familiar with sports and we stay in shape. We deepen our knowledge and develop a wealth of culture. (Town charter, since March 27, 1982) In addition a charter update was written for Harima on April 28, 1989) The following is a translation of the text. We are living in a time of admirable history and favorable natural resources and we hope to lead a good life with a happy heart. All of us take care of each other's lives and rights. We learn together, and get in touch as comrades, and therefore widen our sympathetic circles. Now, we will get back to the basics of human respect, and we declare, "Let's live together in Harima, a town of friendly people." We aim to make a bright town where everyone lives in a happy family and greets the 21st century with pride. In Harima: We will raise consciousness about human rights and get rid of all discrimination. We will make progress in learning and acquire the knowledge to live a just life. We will deepen our understanding of each other and make warm human relationships.

Economy

Heavy chemical industry factories operate on artificial islands (Niijima and Higashiniijima) that occupy 30% of the town area, forming a part of the Harima Seaside Industrial Zone. Urbanization is considerably more advanced than in other counties, and is comparable to the neighboring cities of Akashi and Kakogawa. The area of cultivated land has been steadily decreasing year by year due to development of residential land with an increasing number of residents commuting to either municipality.

Education

Harima has four public elementary schools and two public middle schools operated by the town government and one public high school operated by the Hyōgo Prefectural Department of Education.

Transportation

Railway

JR West – San'yō Main Line Sanyo Electric Railway - Main Line

Highway

Sister cities

Harima International Friendship Association

The Harima International Friendship Association (HIFA) maintains sister-city relationships with Lima, Ohio, in the United States and Heping, Tianjin, in China. Activities include yearly cultural exchanges between the people of Harima and their sister-city partners.

Local attractions

Harima historical sites

Folk culture

Cultural facilities

Noted people from Harima