Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Masuda in 2020 is 45,003 people.

History

The area of Masuda was part of ancient Iwami Province, and corresponds almost exactly with Mino District, which is mentioned from the Nara period onwards. The area was controlled by the Masuda clan from the Kamakura period to the end of the Sengoku period. During the Edo Period, the area was divided between the holdings of Tsuwano Domain and Hamada Domain. After the Meiji restoration, the town of Masuda was established on April 1, 1889 with the creation of the modern municipalities system. The city was founded on August 1, 1952 by the merger of Masuda with seven neighbouring villages. On November 1, 2004, the towns of Mito and Hikimi (both from Mino District) were merged into Masuda. Mino District was dissolved as a result of this merger.

Government

Masuda has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 22 members. Masuda contributes three members to the Shimane Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Shimane 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

The main industries in Masuda are agriculture and commercial fishing. Manufacturing includes textiles and electronic components.

Education

Masuda has 15 public elementary school and ten public junior high schools operated by the city government, and two public high schools operated by the Shimane Prefectural Board of Education. There are also two private high schools, and the prefecture operates one special education school for the handicapped.

Transportation

Airport

  • Iwami Airport

Railway

frameless|20x20px JR West (JR West) - San'in Main Line

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frameless|20x20px JR West (JR West) - Yamaguchi Line

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Highways

Sister cities

  • Ningbo, China, since October 1990
  • Queenstown, New Zealand

Local attractions

  • Ikō-ji, National Historic Site and National Place of Scenic Beauty
  • Iwami Art Museum
  • Manpuku-ji, National Historic Site and National Place of Scenic Beauty
  • Nakazu-Higashihara Site, National Historic Site
  • Nanao Castle ruins, National Historic Site
  • Ōmoto Kofun, National Historic Site
  • Sesshū Memorial Museum
  • Shimane Prefectural Manyō Park
  • Sukumozuka Kofun, National Historic Site

Notable people from Masuda

  • Kaoru Iwamoto was a Japanese professional go player.
  • Saki Kashima is a Japanese professional wrestler.
  • Manami Toyota is a Japanese retired professional wrestler.

References

  • Masuda City official website
  • Masuda City official website