Toyama Prefecture

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Historically, Toyama Prefecture was Etchū Province. Following the abolition of the han system in 1871, Etchū Province was renamed Niikawa Prefecture, but Imizu District was given to Nanao Prefecture. In 1872 Imizu District was returned by the new Ishikawa Prefecture. In 1876, Niikawa Prefecture was merged into Ishikawa Prefecture, but the merger was voided in 1881 and the area was re-established as Toyama Prefecture. The Itai-itai disease occurred in Toyama around 1950.

Reader's Guide

Toyama Prefecture is significant as the leading industrial prefecture on the Japan Sea coast, benefiting from cheap electricity from abundant hydroelectric resources, including the Kurobe Dam which generates electricity for the Kansai Electric Power Company. It is also notable for containing the only known glaciers in East Asia outside of Russia, first recognized in 2012. The prefecture has a stable population since 1950 and is famous for its historical pharmaceutical industry, which remains a top manufacturing sector in terms of shipment value, followed by electronic parts and devices and metal products. Its geography includes Toyama Bay, one of the largest bays in Japan, and 30% of its area is designated as national parks, including Chūbu-Sangaku and Hakusan National Parks, Noto Hantō Quasi-National Park, and six Prefectural Natural Parks. The prefecture hosts UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Gokayama and national treasures like Zuiryū-ji Temple. Toyama Prefecture has international relations with several regions, including Liaoning Province (since May 9, 1984), São Paulo State (since July 18, 1985), Oregon State (since October 19, 1991), Primorsky Region (since August 26, 1992), Basel-Stadt (since October 26, 2009), and Andhra Pradesh State (since December 29, 2015).

Did You Know?

• Toyama Prefecture contains the only known glaciers in East Asia outside of Russia, first recognized in 2012.
• The Itai-itai disease occurred in Toyama around 1950.
• Kurobe Dam, located on the Kurobe River in Toyama Prefecture, generates electricity for the Kansai Electric Power Company.
• Toyama Prefecture has the fewest municipalities of any prefecture in Japan, with 10 cities, 2 districts, 4 towns, and 1 village.
• 30% of Toyama Prefecture's total land area is designated as Natural Parks.