Suzuka, Mie
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Suzuka (鈴鹿市, Suzuka-shi) is a city located in Mie, Japan.
As of 2011, the city has an estimated population of 198,716 and the density of 1,020 people per km². The total area is 194.67 km².
Located about 83 km east from Nara, and 52 km southwest from Nagoya.
History
During the Edo period, the modern-day area around Suzuka was part of the Tōkaidō and had two post stations: Ishiyakushi-juku and Shōno-juku.
Local dialects
Suzuka is in a unique position in Mie Prefecture, located by the Suzuka Quasi National Park (the boundary between Suzuka and Shiga). Since the industrial boom it has been a major funnel or interchange point for the main commuter train lines. The train lines from south Mie (Ise/Toba) meet the Kansai (Osaka/Nara/Wakayama) line and the Nagoya, local, tetsudo line all pass through the city. Due to the unique mix of commuters through Suzuka city, the local dialect (hōgen) is a mixture of three, very dissimilar variations of Japanese depending specifically on proximity to train lines which are within 20 kilometers of each other. In recent years this mix of population has posed a unique problem as communication problems with city officials, police, citizens, and industry visitors have been exposed to communication breakdowns. The city's governing officials have recently[when?] implemented a plan requiring all members of an authority position to be coherent in all dialects, which is rare in Japan.
Industry
Suzuka also boasts a significant industrial market, having major factories for both Sharp and Honda within its bounds. These companies outsource the majority of its labor to South American Nationals in order to secure a contract based workforce. Although the Japanese Federal Government is encouraging mandatory English education across the nation within Suzuka city there are many courses offered, not only by cram schools (juku) but also by publicly funded institutions, supporting Portuguese and Spanish in order to compensate for the ever growing South American Community. In a controversial move, the city's governing body, from April 2004, requires all garbage information and local signage to be displayed in both Japanese and Portuguese but not English.
The city was founded on December 1, 1942.
Motor racing circuit
Suzuka Circuit was the home of the Japanese Grand Prix from 1987 to 2006, and again from 2009. It was the only figure-of-eight circuit in the championship, and is very popular with the drivers. Located next to the circuit is the Honda Safety Riding/Driving School, where thousands of car and motorcycle drivers have been trained, including many police officers and instructors throughout the world.
See also
- Honda Heat rugby club
- F.C. Suzuka Rampole football club
External links
- Suzuka official website in Japanese
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