Tōkai, Ibaraki


Tōkai is a village located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. As of September 2015, the village had an estimated population of 37,885, and a population density of 997 persons per km². Its total area is 37.98 km². The Japan Atomic Energy Agency along with other organizations currently operate a number of nuclear technology research facilities in the town. In particular, Tōkai Nuclear Power Plant is located in Tōkai.

Geography

Located in central Ibaraki Prefecture, approximately north of Tokyo, Tōkai is bordered to the east by the Pacific Ocean.

Surrounding municipalities

The villages of Muramatsu and Ishigami were created with the establishment of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889. On March 31, 1955 the two villages merged to form the village of Tōkai. In 1956, Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute was established at Tōkai. The village was the site of the Tokaimura nuclear accident which occurred at the JCO nuclear reprocessing plant on 30 September 1999, which killed two people.

Economy

The nuclear power industry, together with associated government and private research facilities, and government subventions form the basis of the local economy.

Education

Tōkai has six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. In addition, the University of Tokyo and the Graduate University for Advanced Studies have research facilities located at Tōkai.

Transportation

Railway

International relations