Sasebo, Nagasaki
Sasebo, Nagasaki
| Sasebo 佐世保 |
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| — Special city — | |||
| 佐世保市 · Sasebo | |||
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 Sasebo
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| Coordinates: 33°11′N 129°43′E / 33.183°N 129.717°ECoordinates: 33°11′N 129°43′E / 33.183°N 129.717°E | |||
| Country | Japan | ||
| Region | Kyūshū | ||
| Prefecture | Nagasaki | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Norio Tomonaga (since May 2009) | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 364 km2 (140.5 sq mi) | ||
| Population (January 1, 2009) | |||
| - Total | 252,698 | ||
| - Density | 694/km2 (1,797.5/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) | ||
| City symbols | |||
| - Tree | Flowering Dogwood | ||
| - Flower | Lilium speciosum | ||
| Phone number | 81-(0)956-24-1111 | ||
| Address | Hachiman 1-10, Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture (長崎県佐世保市八幡町１番10号) 〒857-8585 |
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| Website | City of Sasebo | ||
Sasebo (佐世保市 Sasebo-shi) is a city located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. As of 2009, the city has an estimated population of 252,698 and the density of 694 persons per km². The total area is 364 km². The locality is famed for its scenic beauty. The city includes a part of Saikai National Park. Located in the southern part of the city is the Dutch-styled theme park Huis ten Bosch.
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History
The area of present-day Sasebo was a rather insignificant fishing village under the control of nearby Hirado Domain until shortly after the start of the Meiji period. Imperial Japanese Navy Admiral Togo Heihachiro, when surveying the coasts of northwestern Kyūshū for the site of a navy base, selected his location based on its protected, deep-water harbor, geographic proximity to China and Korea, and the presence of nearby coal fields. Sasebo Naval District, founded in 1886, became the major port for the Japanese navy in its operations in the First Sino-Japanese War and Russo-Japanese War, and remained a major naval base to the end of World War II. Along with the base facilities, the navy also constructed the Sasebo Naval Arsenal, which included major shipyards and repair facilities.
Sasebo City was founded on April 1, 1902. The city suffered severe damage by bombing during World War II. After the end of the war, part the base facilities were taken over by the United States Navy, forming U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo. Some parts of the base are shared with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
The city was the site of the Sasebo slashing, the murder of a young girl in 2004, which received considerable media coverage.
Mergers
- On April 1, 2005 the towns of Sechibaru and Yoshii, both from Kitamatsuura District, were merged into Sasebo.
- On March 31, 2006 the towns of Kosaza and Uku, both also from Kitamatsuura District, were merged into Sasebo.
- On March 31, 2010 the towns of Emukae and Shikamachi, both also from Kitamatsuura District, were merged into Sasebo.
Economy
Shipbuilding and associated heavy industries continue to dominate the economy of Sasebo. Adjacent to the naval base is the Sasebo Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. shipyard. Sasebo Station is the westernmost station in the JR passenger train system. The US Navy Seabees have had a positive impact on the civil engineering of this city.
Sister city relations
Sasebo has sister-city relations with three places outside Japan and one within the country.
Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Coffs Harbour, Australia
Xiamen, China
Kokonoe, Ōita Prefecture
Points of interest
- Huis Ten Bosch (theme park)
- Sasebo Zoological Park and Botanical Garden
- Kujū-ku Islands
- Kōzakihana, westernmost point on the island of Kyūshū
- ShinSaikai Bridge is a place where one can see many exciting whirlpools.
Gallery
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Sunset at the Ninety-nine islands in Sasebo
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Sasebo Harbor from Mt. Yumihari
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Radio tower from which the "Climb Mt. Niitaka" message was broadcast
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Tops like this one are popular souvenirs of Sasebo.
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Illuminated by the Albuquerque Bridge, Japanese volunteers place luminarias into the Sasebo River during the Obon festival.
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Panoramic view of the Ninety-nine islands from Tenkaihō Viewpoint.
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Downtown Sasebo from Tenkaihō Viewpoint.
- ^ http://www.kokudo.or.jp/new/cities/sub/kyusyu/42.htm
- ^ 姉妹・友好都市等との交流事業 (Shimai Yūkō Toshi to no Kōryū Jigyō), Sasebo City office retrieved on February 8, 2009
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Nagasaki Prefecture
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