Saitama, Japan

Saitama, Japan

Saitama is the capital and the most populous city of Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Its area incorporates the former cities of Urawa, Ōmiya, Yono, and Iwatsuki. It is a city designated by government ordinance. The name "Saitama" originally comes from the Sakitama District of what is now the city of Gyōda in the northern part of what is now known as Saitama Prefecture. "Sakitama" has an ancient history and is mentioned in the famous 8th-century poetry anthology Man'yōshū. The pronunciation has changed from Sakitama to Saitama over the years.

Saitama has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 64 members. Saitama contributes 14 members to the Saitama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is divided between the Saitama 1st district, Saitama 5th district, and Saitama 15th districts of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Saitama's economy is principally constituted by commercial businesses. The city is one of many commercial centers of the Greater Tokyo area and serves Saitama Prefecture, North Kanto, and northeast Honshu.

Saitama is also home to various manufacturers, exporting automotive (Honda manufactures the Honda Legend at Sayama Plant), food, optical, precision and pharmaceutical products. Calsonic Kansei, a global automotive company is headquartered in the city. Iwatsuki is famous for manufacturing Hinamatsuri dolls and ornate kabuto (samurai helmets).