Chūō, Yamanashi Prefecture, Chūbu Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Chūō is a city located in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 October 2020, the city had an estimated population density of 970 persons per km². The total area of the city is 31.69 square km (12.24 sq mi).

Geography Chūō is located near the geographic centre of the Kōfu Plateau of central Yamanashi Prefecture, hence its name which means "centre" in Japanese. The Fuji River flows through the city.

Surrounding municipalities Yamanashi Prefecture • Kōfu • Minami-Alps • Shōwa • Ichikawamisato.

Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Chūō has recently plateaued after several decades of growth.

History The modern city of Chūō was established on February 20, 2006, from the merger of the towns of Tamaho and Tatomi (both from Nakakoma District), and the village of Toyotomi (from Higashiyatsushiro District).

Government Chūō has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 18 members.

Economy The economy of Chūō is dominated by agriculture, with rice, corn and tomatoes as the major cash crops.

Education • University of Yamanashi – Medical School campus • Chūō has six public elementary schools and three public middle schools operated by the city government. The city does not have any high schools.

Transport: Rail • Central Japan Railway Company - Minobu Line

◦ Higashi-Hanawa - Koikawa.

Transport: Road • Chūō Expressway • National Route 140.