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The Tōkai region (東海地方, Tōkai-chihō) is a subregion of the Chūbu region and Kansai regioninJapan 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
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|---|---|
Map of Japan with the Tōkai region highlighted
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| Country | Japan |
| Region | Chūbu, Kansai |
| Largest city | Nagoya |
| Prefectures | Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu, Mie |
| Area | |
| • Total | 29,316.53 km2 (11,319.18 sq mi) |
| Population
(March 1, 2010)
| |
| • Total | 15,138,397 |
| • Density | 520/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]
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 official 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 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.
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.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
The Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant is located within the Tōkai region.
