Kure, Hiroshima Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Kure, Hiroshima
Core city
Country	Japan
Time zone	UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)

Kure is a port and major shipbuilding city situated on the Seto Inland Sea in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. With a strong industrial heritage, Kure hosts the second-oldest naval dockyard in Japan and remains an important base for the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF).

As of 1 May 2015 (2015 -05-01)^[update], the city has an estimated population of 228,030 and a population density of 646 persons per km². The total area is 352.80 km².

History
Historic timeline
Images for kids
See also

History

Aerial view of Kure, Hiroshima

The Kure Naval District was first established in 1889, leading to the construction of the Kure Naval Arsenal and the rapid growth of steel production and shipbuilding in the city. Kure was formally incorporated on October 1, 1902. From 1889 until the end of World War II, the city served as the headquarters of the Kure Naval District.

AKISHIO, submarine for exhibition

Kure dockyards recorded a number of significant engineering firsts including the launching of the first major domestically built capital ship, the battlecruiser Tsukuba (1905) and the launching of the largest battleship ever built, the Yamato (1940).

During the Pacific War, Kure acted as Japan's single-largest naval base and arsenal. Most of the city's industry and workforce were employed in the service of the naval installations, munitions factories and associated support functions. In the later stages of the conflict Kure came under sustained aerial bombardment culminating in the Bombing of Kure in June and July 1945.

From February 1946 until the end of Japan's postwar occupation in 1952, military establishments in Kure served at the operational headquarters for the British Commonwealth Occupation Force.

Kure Rail

Kure-Miyahara high school

Kure Medical Center

Renga Street - Kure

Kure Landscape

Since 2005, Kure has attracted attention as a tourism center with the Yamato Museum hosting a 1:10 scale model of the IJN Yamato alongside a waterfront JMSDF museum of Japanese naval history.

The city continues as a major maritime center hosting both the dockyards of Japan Marine United and numerous shore-based facilities of the JMSDF including training centers and a major hospital.

The city serves as the home port of an Escort Flotilla (Destroyers), a Submarine Flotilla and the Training Squadron of the JMSDF Regional Kure District.

Historic timeline

July 1, 1889 — Kure Naval District established
1895 — Kure naval shipyard established, initially as a subsidiary of the Onohama Shipyards in Kobe
October 1, 1902 — The towns of Washō and Futagawa and the villages of Miyahara and Sōyamada merge to form the city of Kure
November 10, 1903 — Kure Naval Arsenal established
December 27, 1903 Kure rail line opens providing direct rail access to Hiroshima
April 1, 1928 — The towns of Kegoya, Yoshiura, and Aga merge into Kure
April 21, 1941 — The town of Nigata and the village of Hiro incorporated into Kure
March 19, 1945 — US Navy aircraft attack Japanese warships at Kure
May 5, 1945 — Bombing of Hiro Naval Arsenal
June 22, 1945 — Bombing of Kure Naval Arsenal
July 1, 1945 — Kure Air Raid
July 24–28, 1945 — Battle of Kure, American bombers attack the remaining fleet in Kure Naval Base
July 1, 1954 — Japan Maritime Self Defense Forces founded
October 1, 1956 — The town of Tennō and the village of Shōwa in Aki District, and the village of Gōhara in Kamo District merge into Kure
November 1, 2000 — Kure becomes a Special City
April 1, 2003 — The town of Shimokamagari (from Aki District) was merged into Kure
April 1, 2004 —The town of Kawajiri (from Toyota District) was merged into Kure
March 20, 2005 — The towns of Ondo, Kurahashi and Kamagari (all from Aki District), and the towns of Yasuura, Toyohama and Yutaka, Hiroshima