Tōkai region

The Tōkai region (東海地方, Tōkai-chihō) is a subregion of the Chūbu region and Kansai region in Japan that runs along the Pacific Ocean. The name comes from the Tōkaidō, one of the Edo Five Routes. Because Tōkai is a sub-region and is not officially classified, there is some disagreement about where exactly the region begins and ends, however Japanese maps widely conclude that the region includes Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu and Mie prefectures.

Tōkai region
subregion
Map of Japan with the Tōkai region highlighted
CountryJapan
RegionChūbu, Kansai
Largest cityNagoya
PrefecturesShizuoka, Aichi, Gifu, Mie
Area
 • Total29,316.53 km2 (11,319.18 sq mi)
Population
 (March 1, 2010)
 • Total15,138,397
 • Density520/km2 (1,300/sq mi)

The largest major city in the region is Nagoya and the Chūkyō Metropolitan Area (Nagoya Metropolitan Area) makes up a large portion of the region and has Japan's third strongest economy. The business influence of this urban area sometimes extends out into the outlying areas of the three prefectures centered on Nagoya which are Aichi, Gifu, and Mie; this area is sometimes referred to as the Chūkyō region.

Tōkai is a heavy manufacturing area and is one of the most industrial regions in Japan. Its coast is lined with densely populated cities with economies that thrive on factories.

The Tōkai region has experienced a number of large earthquakes in the past, including the two great earthquakes in 1944 (also known as the "Tonankai earthquake") and 1945 (also known as the "Mikawa earthquake").[1] Following the work of Kiyoo Mogi, it is predicted that there is a possibility that the area will be subject to a shallow magnitude 8.0 earthquake in the near future.[2] Nagoya, Shizuoka, and other large cities would be greatly damaged, with potential casualties in the tens of thousands. The Coordinating Committee for Earthquake Prediction designated the region as an Area of Specific Observation in 1970, and upgraded it to an Area of Intensified Observation in 1974.[2]

Railroads

Central Japan Railway Company, an arm of the former national railway Japan Railways Group, operates in an area roughly coextensive with the Tōkai region. In fact, JR Central's legal Japanese name is Tōkai Railway Company, abbreviated to JR-Tōkai ("JR Central" is the English name). JR Central operates the Tōkaidō Main Line between Atami and Maibara stations, as well as the Tōkaidō Shinkansen high speed line between Tokyo and Shin-Ōsaka, and many conventional lines joining with the Tōkaidō Main Line.

Economy

Economy of Tōkai subregion is largely based on the Chūkyō metropolitan area that lies within its borders. Note that the Chūkyō metropolitan area is also known as Greater Nagoya as the largest and most influential city of the metropolitan area is Nagoya. Automobile giants Toyota and Suzuki are located in Tōkai subregion. Yamaha corporation is also located in Tōkai subregion.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data,[3] and [4], Tōkai subregion much like Chūkyō metropolitan area has experienced continuous population growth throughout the 20th century.

Since around 2010 though, the Tōkai subregion has experienced population decline.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 5,779,000—    
1930 6,700,000+15.9%
1940 7,649,000+14.2%
1950 8,868,000+15.9%
1960 10,085,000+13.7%
1970 11,778,000+16.8%
1980 13,316,000+13.1%
1990 14,222,000+6.8%
2000 14,775,732+3.9%
2010 15,138,397+2.5%
2020 14,985,454−1.0%

Major cities
Designated city
Core city
Special city
  • Yokkaichi City:（special city）
Other major cities

Other major cities

Companies

Universities

Airports

Sports clubs

Baseball

Football

Basketball

Power generation

The Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant is located within the Tōkai region.

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See also

Notes
  1. Karan, Pradyumna Prasad. (2005). Japan in the 21st Century: Environment, Economy, and Society, p. 36, p. 36, at Google Books.
  2. Two grave issues concerning the expected Tokai Earthquake Kiyoo Mogi, Earth Planets Space, Vol. 56 (No. 8), pp. li-lxvi, published 2004, accessed 2011-03-11
  3. Aichi 1995-2020 population statistics
  4. Tōkai subregion 1920-2000 population statistics


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