Iwade, Wakayama

Map showing location of Iwade in Wakayama Prefecture (as of 2006).

Iwade (岩出市, Iwade-shi^?) is a city located in Wakayama, Japan.

At the end of July 2006, the city had a population of 51,496. The total area is 38.50km².

Negoroji temple was founded in 12th century. (see also Negoro-gumi, Siege of Negoroji.) The Kinokawa River flows along the south of Iwade.

Iwade was formerly located within the former Naga District until April 1, 2006, when Iwade gained city status which dissolved Naga District.

[edit] Municipal history

August 1, 1908 - The village of Iwade gained town status: the start of the town of Iwade (1st generation).
September 30, 1956 - During the big mergers during Showa era, the town merged with the villages of Kamiiwade, Nera, Yamazaki, and parts of Kokura (Funado and Yamazaki areas). The town of Iwade (new) was formed, with the same areas of the current city. The town had the population of 13,000. The remaining parts of Kokura was merged with the city of Wakayama.
April 1, 2006 - Gained city status to become the ninth city in the prefecture. It is the first time since May 1, 1956, when the town of Arida from Arida District gained city status alone.

Iwade was one of the 6 towns in Naga District, but on November 7, 2005, 5 towns merged to form the new city of Kinokawa.

After the town went over more than 50,000 people on the recent population count and the request of all residents within the town, Iwade decided to gain the city status alone. The town went over more than 50,000 after the 2005 Census (50,838), Iwade fulfilled the requirements to gain city status by both the ordinance of Wakayama Prefecture and Local Government Law.

On the other hand, the cities were able to gain city status alone in Japan were Tomisato in Chiba Prefecture (formerly part of Inba District and Tomigusuku in Okinawa Prefecture (formerly part of Shimajiri District) on April 1, 2002. The only town to gain city status alone is Arida as written above, but in the Kinki Region, it has been 4 and a half years since the town Ritto in Shiga Prefecture gained city status alone on October 1, 2001.

On January 13, 2006, the council allowed to gain city status. On March 3, 2006, the Wakayama Prefectural Government allowed Iwade to gain city status. It was officially announced to the government on March 17.