Uozu, Toyama

Uozu, Toyama

Uozu (魚津市, Uozu-shi) is a city located in the eastern part of Toyama Prefecture, Japan between Namerikawa and Kurobe, stretching from Toyama Bay and the Japan Sea in the northwest to tall mountain ranges in the southeast. The highest mountains in Uozu are Sougadake and Kekachiyama, and the highest elevation in Uozu is 2,414 m. Several rapid rivers run through Uozu; from east to west, they are the Fuse River, the Katakai River, the Kado River, and the Hayatsuki River.

As of May 31, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 44,963, with 16,523 households and a population density of 224.11 persons per km². The total area is 200.63 km². Foreign nationals, mostly Chinese, Brazilians, and Thais, comprise 1% of the city's population.

The city was founded on April 1, 1952, and has sister city relationships with Chiang Mai City, Thailand (since 1989) and Ibara City, Japan (since 1982). The current mayor (as of October, 2006) is Mr. Yoshinori Sawasaki (澤崎義敬).