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a cultured city rich with international spirit” continuing to pursue a policy of increasing international understanding. international increasing of policy a pursue to continuing spirit” international with rich city cultured a

and green, green, and “sunlit motto its established has Urasoe contact, overseas and trade of center a as experiences historical its with keeping In

largest in the prefecture after Naha, Okinawa City, and Uruma. and City, Okinawa Naha, after prefecture the in largest

of Naha ever since. Though Urasoe covers a relatively small area of 19.09km2, the city's population of over 110,000 makes it the fourth fourth the it makes 110,000 over of population city's the 19.09km2, of area small relatively a covers Urasoe Though since. ever Naha of

Urasoe was designated a city in 1970, two years prior to the return of Okinawa to Japan, and has been developing as a thriving suburb suburb thriving a as developing been has and Japan, to Okinawa of return the to prior years two 1970, in city a designated was Urasoe

increase in the US military presence in the western area that today makes up Camp Kinser. Camp up makes today that area western the in presence military US the in increase

later, under United States occupation, Urasoe experienced a significant significant a experienced Urasoe occupation, States United under later, years Four operations. agricultural basic restore and business

ate official official ate coordin to re-established was office village the 1946, In hting. fig the of because evacuated had who returnees accepting of that

lost their lives. After the Battle of Okinawa ended on June 23, 1945, the first task to be undertaken by Urasoe's village administration was was administration village Urasoe's by undertaken be to task first the 1945, 23, June on ended Okinawa of Battle the After lives. their lost

During World War II, Urasoe faced intense fighting and everything was razed to the ground. 4,117 people, 45% of Urasoe's population, population, Urasoe's of 45% people, 4,117 ground. the to razed was everything and fighting intense faced Urasoe II, War World During

known as Okinawa Prefecture. Okinawa as known

me me beca officially chain island the 1879, In Han." "Ryukyu as nated desig and dismantled was Kingdom Ryukyu the 1872, In countries.

overseas overseas with trade continued from benefited and this by bound not were s Island Ryukyu the isolation, of policy government's central the

invasion much of the Urasoe area was destroyed. However, the region eventually recovered and while the rest of Japan was subject to to subject was Japan of rest the while and recovered eventually region the However, destroyed. was area Urasoe the of much invasion

nds and propagated Japanese language and customs. During the the During customs. and language Japanese propagated and nds Isla Ryukyu the occupied Clan Satsuma Kyushu-based the 1609, In

residence in Urasoe and brought renewed life to the castle. the to life renewed brought and Urasoe in residence up took He Shuri. from banished was Shin Shō King of son eldest

en the the en wh 1500s, the until background the to moved Urasoe 1429. in dom King Ryukyu the creating Okinawa, of island entire the unite to

to Shuri. After defeating the rulers of the the Hokuzan and Nanzan Kingdoms, Shō Hashi of the Chūzan Kingdom became the first ruler ruler first the became Kingdom Chūzan the of Hashi Shō Kingdoms, Nanzan and Hokuzan the the of rulers the defeating After Shuri. to

political, economic, and cultural center that traded with China and numerous other countries in Asia. In 1406, the Chūzan royal court moved moved court royal Chūzan the 1406, In Asia. in countries other numerous and China with traded that center cultural and economic, political,

Urasoe was the capital of the Chūzan Kingdom from 1187 to 1405, and the royal court was based at Urasoe Castle. It was a flourishing flourishing a was It Castle. Urasoe at based was court royal the and 1405, to 1187 from Kingdom Chūzan the of capital the was Urasoe

spelling of “Urasoe.” of spelling current the to changed then which ura-shī, to changed gradually

takes meaning from the phrase “to rule throughout the realm” ( realm” the throughout rule “to phrase the from meaning takes ). The pronunciation pronunciation The ). shihai-suru wo ura-ura tsu-tsu 津々浦々を支配する

the expansive region of Ginowan, Naha Port, and parts of Nishihara. The name “Urasoe” stems from the word word the from stems “Urasoe” name The Nishihara. of parts and Port, Naha Ginowan, of region expansive the ) which which ) ura-osoi ( うらおそい

e covered an area much larger than that of the present-day city, including including city, present-day the of that than larger much area an covered e Uraso past, the In court. his maintained Shunten, King Kingdom,

Urasoe is known as the birthplace of the Ryukyu Kingdom. This is the site where one of the most powerful rulers of the Chūzan Chūzan the of rulers powerful most the of one where site the is This Kingdom. Ryukyu the of birthplace the as known is Urasoe

About UrasoeCity

The City of Tedako: Urasoe Tedako: of City The About Urasoe City Urasoe About About Urasoe City 5 （泉州市） Quánzhōu Quánzhōu is the provincial capital of Fujian Province Quánzhōu is the provincial capital of Fujian Province Present-day Quánzhōu is a thriving city with active in the People's Republic of China and has a population city's port has contributed to its The of about 7,790,000. countries. long history of trade and exchange with foreign the Mongol up until Throughout the Sung Dynasty, Trade trade. the city flourished through foreign Dynasty, and exchanges between the Ryukyu Kingdom (Okinawa) During the and Quánzhōu were particularly noteworthy. AD), King Satto of the Ryukyus, who Ming Dynasty (1350 ruled from Urasoe, began paying tribute and sent gifts This relationship continued for approximately to China. 500 years. Cultural, sports, educational, and other types of exchange continue to take place through delegation exchange programs. agricultural, manufacturing, and commercial industries. electronics, tea, and wheatLacquerware, pharmaceuticals, are all principal products of Quánzhōu's economy. 1981, Urasoe

（蒲郡市） Gamagōri The city of Gamagōri is located in the southeastern The city of Gamagōri is located in the southeastern Exchange between Gamagōri and Urasoe began in Aichi Prefecture and has a population of around part of of three 82,000. Located on the seaside at the center Thanks to estuaries, it is a beautiful and peaceful city. mikan its warm climate, it is known for its successful cultivation. 1962 when a memorial was erected at the Urasoe Castle War Site in order to honor the casualties of the Pacific On November 4, Aichi Prefecture. from and Gamagōri signed a Friendship and Cooperation City agreement to formalize their long history of exchange. Friendship Youth These activities continue through the Delegations that have participated in culture programs, sports competitions, and other exchange programs. An abundance of sunny days combined with the beauty of the sea and the rolling hills around Urasoe make it a very pleasant city to make it a very pleasant hills around Urasoe the sea and the rolling with the beauty of of sunny days combined An abundance Climate Friendship Cities Friendship temperature for Okinawa The average annual and mild winters. humid summers sub-tropical, with hot, Okinawa's climate is live in or visit. he Sunshine is abundant throughout t with summer highs reaching 34°C (93°F) and winter lows of 10°C (50°F). is around 23°C (73°F) yearly Average April to November. a typhoon season from a rainy season in May to June and although the prefecture experiences year, (5.5 feet) and average humidity is about 75%. rainfall is about 1,700mm

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hill from the Central Community Center. Community Central the from hill

parking area behind City Hall, and the lower parking lot down the the down lot parking lower the and Hall, City behind area parking

Parking for City Hall is available in the underground parking lot, the the lot, parking underground the in available is Hall City for Parking

Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays Public and Sundays, Saturdays, on Closed

(Closed for lunch 12:00-1:00 pm) 12:00-1:00 lunch for (Closed

Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5:15 pm 5:15 to am 8:30 Friday to Monday Hours: Office

Telephone: (098) 876-1234 (098) Telephone:

1-1-1 Ahacha, Urasoe, Okinawa 901-2501 Okinawa Urasoe, Ahacha, 1-1-1

About City Hall City About

characters are placed in a circle that stands for peace and harmony. and peace for stands that circle a in placed are characters

pronounced "U" expresses the concept of eternal progress. The four four The progress. eternal of concept the expresses "U" pronounced hope for successful and healthy lives for Urasoe’s citizens. Urasoe’s for lives healthy and successful for hope

) are used as the base for the design. The character that is is that character The design. the for base the as used are ) optimism for eternal progress. The color white in the emblem symbolizes symbolizes emblem the in white color The progress. eternal for optimism ラソエ

( "Urasoe" spell that (katakana) characters phonetic Japanese The stencil-dyed fabric, one of Urasoe’s traditional arts, and expresses expresses and arts, traditional Urasoe’s of one fabric, stencil-dyed ウ

This emblem symbolizes the limitless progress of peace and homeland. homeland. and peace of progress limitless the symbolizes emblem This The indigo blue background brings to mind the deep blue of the Bingata Bingata the of blue deep the mind to brings background blue indigo The

Urasoe City Emblem City Urasoe （市章） Urasoe City Flag City Urasoe （市旗）

grow and cultivate. and grow

is called “Akosa.” It is also a very easy plant to to plant easy very a also is It “Akosa.” called is

November. In the Okinawan language, this plant plant this language, Okinawan the In November.

of red and yellow, blooms between June and and June between blooms yellow, and red of

(from April to October). to April (from evergreen with red coloring on the underside. the on coloring red with evergreen plant, which is colored with a beautiful mixture mixture beautiful a with colored is which plant,

about half of the year year the of half about a “Kari Tree” or “Special Tree.” Its leaves are are leaves Its Tree.” “Special or Tree” “Kari a this meters, 2-3 of height top a to Growing

the “Golden Cup,” blooms a vivid yellow for for yellow vivid a blooms Cup,” “Golden the Okinawa, this tree has long been known as as known been long has tree this Okinawa, Islands. Ryukyu the of Flowers Three the of

the oleander vine family. This flower, also called called also flower, This family. vine oleander the Okinawan dialect. On the main island of of island main the On dialect. Okinawan one is flower Barbados the bean), coral (Indian

Native to South America, this flower belongs to to belongs flower this America, South to Native This tree is called “Tārashi” or “Tārasā” in in “Tārasā” or “Tārashi” called is tree This “Deigo” and (Ixora) “Sandanka” with Along

Allamanda, Golden Trumpet Golden Allamanda, Elaeoearpus Tree Elaeoearpus Flower Barbados

Urasoe Citizens’ Flower Citizens’ Urasoe （市民の花） Urasoe Citizens’ Tree Citizens’ Urasoe Plant Citizens’ Urasoe （市民の木） （市民の花木）

About UrasoeCity

We will train our minds and bodies to create a happy and healthy community. community. healthy and happy a create to bodies and minds our train will We

We will value peace and make our city culturally rich. rich. culturally city our make and peace value will We

We will build a dynamic community by taking joy in our work. work. our in joy taking by community dynamic a build will We

We will abide by the rules and make our city comfortable to live in. live to comfortable city our make and rules the by abide will We

We will steward the natural environment and make our city green. city our make and environment natural the steward will We

establish this charter to help us achieve these hopes. hopes. these achieve us help to charter this establish

We, the people of Urasoe, the City of the Tedako (Sun child), with our venerable history and our hopes for the future, future, the for hopes our and history venerable our with child), (Sun Tedako the of City the Urasoe, of people the We,

Urasoe Citizens' Charter Charter Citizens' Urasoe （浦添市民憲章） City Symbols City About Urasoe City 7 Iki-iki Kōrei Shien-ka Shiminzei-ka Shisanzei-ka Gesuido-ka Bunka Supōtsu Shinkō-ka Chūsha-jo Shimin-ka Kokumin Kenkō Hoken-ka Kaikei-ka Harō Wāku Nōzei-ka Kodomo Katei-ka Hoiku-ka Kodomo Seisaku-ka Hogo-ka Jōhō Seisaku-ka Bōsai Kiki Kanri-shitsu Fukushi Sōmu-ka Shōgai Fukushi-ka Kansa I-in Jimu-kyoku Hisho-ka Kikaku-ka Kokusai Kōryū-ka Nishi Kaigan Kaihatsu-ka Kaihatsu Kōsha Tochi Sangyō Shinkō-ka Kankō Shinkō-ka Kankyō Hozen-ka Shimin Seikatsu-ka Kenchiku Eizen-ka Kenchiku Shidō-ka Keiyaku Kensa-ka Dōro-ka Yōchi-ka Kukaku Seiri-ka Churamachi Suishin-ka Keikaku-ka Toshi Gak’kō Kyoiku-ka Gak’kō Sōmu-ka Kyōiku Sōmu-ka Shisetsu-ka Sōmu-ka Shokuin-ka Gyōsei Kaikaku Suishin-shitsu Zaisan Kanri-ka Zaisei-ka Kōdō

Baiten 駐車所 売店 市民課 国民健康保険課 いきいき高齢支援課 会計課 ハローワーク 納税課 市民税課 資産税課 こども家庭課 保育課 こども政策課 保護課 情報政策課 防災危機管理室 福祉総務課 障がい福祉課 監査委員事務局 秘書課 企画課 国際交流課 西海岸開発課 土地開発公社 産業振興課 観光振興課 環境保全課 市民生活課 下水道課 建築営繕課 建築指導課 契約検査課 道路課 用地課 区画整理課 美らまち推進課 都市計画課 学校教育課 学校総務課 教育総務課 施設課 文化スポーツ振興課 総務課 職員課 行政改革推進室 財産管理課 財政課 講堂 Accounting Section Section Accounting Tax Property Section Welfare Child’s Building Repairs Division General Affairs Section Parking Lot Affairs Citizen’s Section City Hall Store Section National Health Insurance Work Section Age Support Division Lively Old Hello Tax Collection Section Tax Municipal Section Infant Welfare Policy Section Child’s Financial Assistance Section Information Policy Section Emergency Management Office Section Affairs General Welfare Division Persons With Disabilities Welfare Audit Committee Secretariat Section Secretariat Planning International Relations Section Coast Development Section West Land Development Public Corporation Industrial Promotion Section Sightseeing Promotion Section Section Environmental Conservation Section Livelihood Section Citizens’ Sewerage Building Guidance Division Section Contract Inspection Section Road Acquisition Section Land Land Readjustment Section Churamachi Promotion Section Section City Planning Section Education Section Section Affairs School General Section Affairs Education General Facility Culture Sports Promotion Section Section Personnel Section Administrative Reform Promotion Section Property Management Section Finance Auditorium 7F 8F 2F 1F 9F 6F 5F 4F 3F Basement Urasoe Hall Floor City Guide

8

http://www.pref.okinawa.lg.jp/site/chijiko/kohokoryu/foreign/english/living/index.html

provide an external link with extensive information about foreigner’s living in Japan in various languages online at: online languages various in Japan in living foreigner’s about information extensive with link external an provide

There are native English, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean speakers employed there to help out speakers of those languages. They also also They languages. those of speakers out help to there employed speakers Korean and Chinese, Spanish, English, native are There

The Exchange Promotion Division of the Okinawa Prefectural Government is a valuable resource for foreigners living in Okinawa. Okinawa. in living foreigners for resource valuable a is Government Prefectural Okinawa the of Division Promotion Exchange The

Telephone: (098) 866-2479 (098) Telephone:

1-2-2 Izumizaki, Naha 900-8570 Naha Izumizaki, 1-2-2

Exchange Promotion Division (Kōryū Suishin-ka) (Kōryū Division Promotion Exchange

Okinawa Prefectural Government Prefectural Okinawa Organization: Responsible

Prefectural Government Prefectural

Seishōnen-ka

Sōmu-ka Section Affairs General Kodomo Kodomo Section Affairs Youth and Child 総務課 子ども青少年課

3F 3F 3F

Haisui-ka Section Supply Water Bunkazai-ka Section Culture 配水課 文化財課

Eigyō-ka Section Operation Business 営業課 2F

2F

Fukushi Puraza Fukushi Plaza Welfare 福祉プラザ

Sōko / Kikai-shitsu / Sōko Room Machinery / Storage 倉庫・機械室 1F

1F

(Route 38). 38). (Route road the of side opposite the on Hall City of west the to 400m

to the Urasoe City Central Community Center. Community Central City Urasoe the to accommodated in the main building. It is a red brick building located about about located building brick red a is It building. main the in accommodated

The Water Section of Urasoe City is located west of City Hall adjacent adjacent Hall City of west located is City Urasoe of Section Water The Akahira Station houses a few sections of City Hall that could not be be not could that Hall City of sections few a houses Station Akahira

Suidō-bu Water Section of Urasoe City Urasoe of Section Water Akahira Station Akahira 水道部） （ （あかひらステーションビル）

About UrasoeCity The Urasoe City Council meets in the building next to Urasoe City Hall. City Urasoe to next building the in meets Council City Urasoe The

Gikai-tō Assembly Building Assembly 議会棟） （