Takaishi, Osaka

Takaishi

高石市
Takaishi 高石市
City
	Takaishi city
	Flag chapter
	Location of Takaishi in Osaka Prefecture
	Takaishi Location in Japan
	Coordinates: 34°31′N 135°27′E / 34.517°N 135.450°E
Country	Japan
Region	Kansai
Prefecture	Osaka Prefecture
Area
• Total	11.35 km2 (4.38 sq mi)
Population (1 October 2016)
• Total	56,583
• Density	5,000/km2 (13,000/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+09:00 (JST)
Website	www.city.takaishi.lg.jp

Takaishi (高石市, Takaishi-shi) is a city located in Osaka Prefecture, Japan.

As of October 2016, the city has an estimated population of 56,583 and a population density of 5,000 persons per km². The total area is 11.35 km².

History

The city was founded on 1 November 1966. Takaishi established a sister city relationship with Lomita, California in October 1981. It once experienced a severe financial crisis in the late 1990s and the then mayor attempted to merge the city with Sakai. However, the merger became the major campaign issue in the following mayoral election, and was voted down when the incumbent mayor lost in his bid for re-election. The city still remains independent.

Geography

Takaishi occupies a position on the shore of Osaka Bay. Adjacent cities are Sakai, Izumiōtsu and Izumi. About half of the city area lies on reclaimed land, upon which stands a large petrochemical refinery. Takaishi's fire department boasts the largest fire truck in Japan as a precaution against possible major fires at the refinery.^{[citation needed]}