Fujioka (藤岡市, Fujioka-shi) is a city located in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 August 2020[update], the city had an estimated population of 64,539 in 27,616 households,[1] and a population density of 360 persons per km². The total area of the city is 180.29 square kilometres (69.61 sq mi).
Fujioka has a Humid continental climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Fujioka is 13.8 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1239 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.1 °C, and lowest in January, at around 2.5 °C.[2]
Demographics
Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Fujioka has remained relatively steady over the past 40 years.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1920
41,333
—
1930
42,587
+3.0%
1940
45,201
+6.1%
1950
56,304
+24.6%
1960
52,033
−7.6%
1970
55,031
+5.8%
1980
63,594
+15.6%
1990
69,413
+9.2%
2000
70,220
+1.2%
2010
67,962
−3.2%
2020
64,539
−5.0%
History
Fujioka is located within traditional Kōzuke Province. During the late Sengoku period it developed as a jōkamachi around Ashida Castle, the center of a 30,000 koku holding by the Ashida clan, retainers of Tokugawa Ieyasu. However, the foundation of the Edo periodTokugawa shogunate, the area tenryō territory under the direct control of the shogunate. Fujioka and Onishi towns, and Kanna, Ono, Midori, Mikuri, Hirai, Hino, and Sanbagawa Village were created in Midorino District, Gunma Prefecture and Mihara village in Minamikanra District, Gunma Prefecture on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system after the Meiji Restoration. In 1896, Minamikanra District was united with Midorino District and Tago District to create Tano District. On April 1, 1954, Fujioka annexed Kanna, Ono, Midori and Mikuri villages and was elevated to city status. On March 1, 1955 Fujioka annexed neighboring Hirai and Sanbagawa villages. On January 1, 2006 Onishi Village was merged into Fujioka City.[4]
Government
Fujioka has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 18 members. Fujioka, together with the town of Kanna, and the village of Ueno contributes two members to the Gunma Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Gunma 4th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
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Education
Fujioka has 11 public elementary schools and five public middle schools operated by the city government, and three public high schools operated by the Gunma Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates a special education school for the handicapped.
Matsuri Festival in Fujioka-shi, GunmaFujioka Matsuri
The Fujioka Matsuri is a two-day summer festival which is typically held on a weekend in late July. The celebration, which takes place in central Fujioka, features food and entertainment stalls, a flea market, parade, and street dancing. There are many traditional events as well, such as taiko performances, mikoshi carrying, and the parading of dashi floats through the streets.
Fuji Matsuri
The Fuji Matsuri (Wisteria Festival) is a spring festival which takes place at Koshinyama Park every year in late April/early May, to celebrate the blooming of the wisteria flowers. Numerous vendor stalls sell various local products, food, and flowers. The wisteria flowers are illuminated after sunset.
Noted people from Fujioka
Jiro Horikoshi- aeronautical engineer, who designed the Mitsubishi A6M Zero and other notable aircraft
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