Ami, Ibaraki Prefecture, Kantō Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Ami (阿見町, Ami-machi) is a town located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 October 2020, the town had an estimated population density of 671 persons per km². The percentage of the population aged over 65 was 28.3%. The total area of the town is 71.40 square km (27.57 sq mi).

Geography Located in southern Ibaraki Prefecture, Ami is bordered to the north by Lake Kasumigaura.

Surrounding municipalities Ibaraki Prefecture • Inashiki • Miho • Tsuchiura • Ushiku.

Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Ami has recently plateaued after a long period of growth.

History During the Edo period, the area around Ami was part of Hitachi Province. The villages of Ami, Kimihara, Asahi and Funashima were created with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. In 1921, the Imperial Japanese Navy established Kasumigaura Air Field, a naval aviation training base at Ami, with floatplane operations on nearby Kasumigaura. Zeppelin operations also began from 1929. In 1937, the Youth Aviation Squadron was transferred from Yokosuka. The base was repeatedly bombed in 1944 and 1945 during World War II, with the attack on June 10, 1945 killing over 300 people.

On April 1, 1955, the villages of Ami, Kimihara and Asahi merged to form the town of Ami. Most of the village of Funashima joined on April 20, 1955.

Government Ami has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 18 members. Ami contributes one member to the Ibaraki Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Ibaraki 6th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy Ami has a mixed economy. Agriculture remains predominant; however, there are also numerous factories for chemicals, light manufacturing and electronics. The Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force also has a number of military installations in the town.

Education • Ibaraki University – Department of Agriculture • Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences • Ami has seven public elementary schools and four public middle schools operated by the town government, and one public high school operated by the Ibaraki Prefectural Board of Education.

Transport: Rail • Ami does not have any passenger rail service. The nearest stations are Tsuchiura and Arakawaoki in neighboring Tsuchiura.

Transport: Road • Ken-Ō Expressway – Ushiku-Ami Interchange, Ami-Higashi Interchange • National Route 125.

Military • JGSDF Camp Kasumigaura • JGSDF Camp Tutiura • JGSDF Ordnance School.

Local attractions • Ami Premium Outlet Shopping Center • Site of Jojo Castle • Yokaren Peace Memorial Museum.