Nishitokyo (西東京市,Nishitōkyō-shi, "City of WestTokyo") (Japanese pronunciation:[ɲiɕi̥toꜜːkʲoː]) is acity located in the western portion ofTokyo Metropolis,Japan. As of 1 January 2021[update], the city had an estimatedpopulation of 206,047, and apopulation density of 13,000 persons per km2.[1] The total area of the city is 15.75 square kilometres (6.08 sq mi).
Nishitokyo is located at the centre of the geological/geographical region known as theMusashino Terrace, and is covered with the Kantō loam formation. The city has a good water supply, owing to rivers running through the city - theShakujii River,Shirako River,Shin River (tributary of Shirako River) andTamagawa Josui River. From east to west, the city is about 4.8 km, and from south to north is about 5.6 km.
Nishitokyo has ahumid subtropical climate (KöppenCfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Nishitokyo is 14.5°C. The average annual rainfall is 1648 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.0°C, and lowest in January, at around 3.1°C.[2]
Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Nishitokyo increased rapidly in the 1950s and 1960s and has continued to grow at a slower pace in recent decades.
The area of present-day Nishitokyo was part of ancientMusashi Province. In the post-Meiji Restoration cadastral reform of July 22, 1878, the area became part ofKitadachi District inSaitama Prefecture. The villages of Hoya and Tanashi were created on April 1, 1889 with the establishment of modern municipalities system. The southern portion of Kitaadachi District was transferred to the administrative control of Tokyo Metropolis on April 1, 1907.
The city of Nishitokyo was established on January 21, 2001 by the merger of the cities of Hoya and Tanashi.
Nishitokyo has amayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and aunicameral city council of 28 members. Nishitokyo contributes two members to the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part ofTokyo 19th district of thelower house of theDiet of Japan.
Eiji Ōtsuka (born 1958), social critic, folklorist, media theorist, and novelist.
Tadanari Lee (born 1985),Zainichi Korean football player (Korean Name:Lee Chung-Sung,Hangul: 이충성)/Japanese Name: Tadanari Lee,Nihongo: 李忠成,Ri Tadanari or Tadanari Ōyama,Nihongo: 大山忠成,Ōyama Tadanari)