Nishitokyo (西東京市, Nishitōkyō-shi; "City of West Tokyo") (Japanese pronunciation:[ɲiɕi̥toꜜːkʲoː]) is a city located in the western portion of Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. As of 1January2021[update], the city had an estimated population of 206,047, and a population density of 13,000 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the city is 15.75 square kilometres (6.08sqmi).
Geography
Nishitokyo is located at the centre of the geological/geographical region known as the Musashino Terrace, and is covered with the Kantō loam formation. The city has a good water supply, owing to rivers running through the city - the Shakujii River, Shirako River, Shin River (tributary of Shirako River) and Tamagawa Josui River. From east to west, the city is about 4.8km, and from south to north is about 5.6km.
Nishitokyo has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Nishitokyo is 14.5°C. The average annual rainfall is 1648mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.0°C, and lowest in January, at around 3.1°C.[2]
Demographics
Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Nishitokyo increased rapidly in the 1950s and 1960s and has continued to grow at a slower pace in recent decades.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1920
6,723
—
1930
8,972
+33.5%
1940
10,977
+22.3%
1950
28,343
+158.2%
1960
78,091
+175.5%
1970
144,660
+85.2%
1980
158,235
+9.4%
1990
170,290
+7.6%
2000
180,885
+6.2%
2010
196,494
+8.6%
2020
207,388
+5.5%
History
The area of present-day Nishitokyo was part of ancient Musashi Province. In the post-Meiji Restoration cadastral reform of July 22, 1878, the area became part of Kitadachi District in Saitama Prefecture. The villages of Hoya and Tanashi were created on April 1, 1889, with the establishment of modern municipalities system. The southern portion of Kitaadachi District was transferred to the administrative control of Tokyo Metropolis on April 1, 1907.
The city of Nishitokyo was established on January 21, 2001, by the merger of the cities of Hoya and Tanashi.
Government
Nishitokyo has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 28 members. Nishitokyo contributes two members to the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Tokyo 19th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
The watch manufacturer Citizen is headquartered in Nishitokyo. The animation studios Shin-Ei Animation and Magic Bus are also located here.
Eiji Ōtsuka (born 1958), social critic, folklorist, media theorist, and novelist.
Tadanari Lee (born 1985), Zainichi Korean football player (Korean Name: Lee Chung-Sung, Hangul: 이충성)/Japanese Name: Tadanari Lee, Nihongo: 李忠成, Ri Tadanari or Tadanari Ōyama, Nihongo: 大山忠成, Ōyama Tadanari)
