Editing Chiba Prefecture

{{Short description|Prefecture of Japan}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Chiba Prefecture
| native_name        = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|千葉県}}}}
| settlement_type    = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| translit_lang1     = Japanese
| translit_lang1_type = [[Japanese language|Japanese]]
| translit_lang1_info = {{lang|ja|千葉県}}
| translit_lang1_type1 = [[Romanization of Japanese|Rōmaji]]
| translit_lang1_info1 = {{lang|ja-Latn|Chiba-ken}}
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
 | total_width            = 280
 | border                 = infobox
 | perrow                 = 1/2/2/2
 | caption_align          = center
 | image1                 = Sunrise in Inubosaki (9027196940).jpg
 | alt1                   = Cape of Inubo
 | caption1               = [[Cape Inubō]]
 | image2                 = Nippon Steel Kimitsu Works.jpg
 | alt2                   = Keiyō Industrial Zone
 | caption2               = [[Keiyō Industrial Zone]]
 | image3                 = Boso 20160811154156 (31381689373).jpg
 | alt3                   = Kujūkuri Beach
 | caption3               = [[Kujūkuri Beach]]
 | image4                 = Narita International Air Port (cropped).jpg
 | alt4                   = Narita International Airport
 | caption4               = [[Narita International Airport]]
 | image5                 = 九十九谷 - panoramio.jpg
 | alt5                   = Minami Bōsō Quasi-National Park
 | caption5               = [[Minami Bōsō Quasi-National Park]]
 | image6                 = Tokyo Disneyland (53442121414).jpg
 | alt6                   = Tokyo Disneyland
 | caption6               = [[Tokyo Disneyland]]
 | image7                 = 南総 2013122110350000.jpg
 | alt7                   = Kamogawa Seaworld
 | caption7               = [[Kamogawa Sea World]]
}}
| image_caption      = 
| image_flag         = Flag of Chiba Prefecture.svg
| flag_size          = 100px
| image_blank_emblem = Emblem of Chiba prefecture.svg
| blank_emblem_size  = 80px
| blank_emblem_type  = Symbol
| image_map          = Map of Japan with highlight on 12 Chiba prefecture.svg
| coordinates        = 
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[Japan]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Kantō region|Kantō]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of islands of Japan|Island]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Honshu]]
| seat_type          = [[List of capitals in Japan|Capital]]
| seat               = [[Chiba, Chiba|Chiba]]
| parts_type         = Subdivisions
| parts_style        = para
| p1                 = [[Districts of Japan|Districts]]: 6
| p2                 = [[Municipalities of Japan|Municipalities]]: 54
| leader_title       = [[List of prefectural governors in Japan|Governor]]
| leader_name        = [[:ja:熊谷俊人|Toshihito Kumagai]] (from April 2021)
| area_total_km2     = 5157.61
| area_water_percent = 0.8
| area_rank          = [[List of Japanese prefectures by area|28th]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 6278060
| population_as_of   = June 1, 2019
| population_rank    = [[List of Japanese prefectures by population|6th]]
| population_density_km2 = auto
| demographics_type2 = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |title=2020年度国民経済計算（2015年基準・2008SNA） : 経済社会総合研究所 - 内閣府 |url=https://www.esri.cao.go.jp/jp/sna/data/data_list/kakuhou/files/2020/2020_kaku_top.html |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=内閣府ホームページ |language=ja}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = Total
| demographics2_info1 = [[JP¥]] 21,280 billion<br />[[US$]] 195.2 billion (2019)
| iso_code           = JP-12
| website            = {{URL|https://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/}}
| module             = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| country  = Japan
| bird     = [[Meadow bunting]]
| fish     = [[Sparidae|Seabream]]
| flower   = [[Oilseed rape|Seiyō aburana blossom]]
| tree     = [[Kusamaki]]
}}
| anthem             = [[:ja:千葉県民歌|Chiba kenminka]]
}}
[[File:Bōsō Peninsula by Sentinel-2, 2018-10-30.jpg|thumb|[[Bōsō Peninsula|Boso Peninsula]]]]
[[File:Mt. Fuji and Keiyo petrochemical complex.JPG|thumb|right|The [[Keiyō Industrial Zone]], one of Japan's largest industrial complexes that spans the eight cities of Chiba Prefecture, and [[Mount Fuji]] on the horizon]]
{{Nihongo|'''Chiba Prefecture'''|千葉県|Chiba-ken|{{IPA|ja|tɕiꜜ.ba, tɕi.baꜜ, tɕi.baꜜkeɴ}}<ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:NHK日本語発音アクセント新辞典|publisher=NHK Publishing|editor=NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute|date=24 May 2016|lang=ja}}</ref>}} is a [[Prefectures of Japan|prefecture]] of [[Japan]] located in the [[Kantō region]] of [[Honshu]].<ref>Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Chiba-ken" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|''Japan Encyclopedia'', p. 109|page=109}}; "Kantō" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|p. 479|page=479}}.</ref> Chiba Prefecture has a population of 6,278,060 (1 June 2019) and has a geographic area of {{cvt|5,157|km2}}. Chiba Prefecture borders [[Ibaraki Prefecture]] to the north, [[Saitama Prefecture]] to the northwest, and [[Tokyo]] to the west.

[[Chiba (city)|Chiba]] is the capital and largest city of Chiba Prefecture, with other major cities including [[Funabashi]], [[Matsudo]], [[Ichikawa, Chiba|Ichikawa]]<ref>Nussbaum, "Chiba" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|p. 109|page=109}}</ref> and [[Kashiwa]]. Chiba Prefecture is located on Japan's eastern [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] coast to the east of Tokyo, and is part of the [[Greater Tokyo Area]], the most populous [[metropolitan area]] in the world. Chiba Prefecture largely consists of the [[Bōsō Peninsula]], which encloses the eastern side of [[Tokyo Bay]] and separates it from [[Kanagawa Prefecture]]. Chiba Prefecture is home to [[Narita International Airport]], the [[Tokyo Disney Resort]], and the [[Keiyō Industrial Zone]].

==Etymology==
The name of Chiba Prefecture in Japanese is formed from two [[kanji]] characters. The first, {{linktext|千}}, means "thousand" and the second, {{linktext|葉}} means "leaf". The name first appears as an ancient ''[[kuni no miyatsuko]]'', or regional command office, as the {{nihongo|''Chiba Kuni no Miyatsuko''|千葉国造}}.<ref>{{cite dictionary|url=http://www.nihonjiten.com/data/263228.html|title=千葉国造（下総）|website=Nihonjiten.com}}</ref> The name was adopted by a branch of the [[Taira clan]], which moved to the area in present-day [[Chiba (city)|Chiba City]] in the late [[Heian period]]. The branch of the Taira adopted the name and became the [[Chiba clan]], and held strong influence over the area of the prefecture until the [[Azuchi–Momoyama period]]. The name "Chiba" was chosen for the prefecture at the time its creation in [[1873]] by the {{Nihongo|[[Assembly of Prefectural Governors]]|地方官会議|Chihō Kankai Kaigi}}, an early [[Meiji era|Meiji-period]] body of prefectural governors that met to decide the structure of local and regional administration in Japan.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Nihon Rekishi Chimei Taikei (日本歴史地名大系) |title=千葉県の成立と行政的変遷 |url=http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ |access-date=2012-04-01 |year=2012 |publisher=Shogakukan |location=Tokyo |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ |archive-date=2007-08-25 }}</ref>

The compound word {{Nihongo|''Keiyō''|京葉}}, which refers to the Tokyo-Chiba region, is formed from the second character in [[Tokyo]] ({{linktext|京}}), and the second character in Chiba ({{linktext|葉}}), which can also be pronounced "kei" and "yō" respectively.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Dijitaru daijisen |title=Keiyō |url=http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ |access-date=2012-03-26 |year=2012 |publisher=Shogakukan |location=Tokyo |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ |archive-date=2007-08-25 }}</ref> This compound is used in terms such as the [[Keiyō Line]], [[Keiyō Road]], [[Keiyō Rinkai Railway Rinkai Main Line]], and the [[Keiyō Industrial Zone]].

== History ==
[[File:HaniwaChicken.jpg|left|thumb|[[Haniwa]] funerary object of a chicken, [[Kofun period]]. From the collection of the [[Shibayama Haniwa Museum]]]]
{{historical populations|13=1890|14=1,191,353|15=1903|16=1,316,547|17=1913|18=1,401,587|19=1920|20=1,336,155|21=1925|22=1,399,257|23=1930|24=1,470,121|25=1935|26=1,546,394|27=1940|28=1,588,425|29=1945|30=1,966,862|31=1950|32=2,139,037|33=1955|34=2,205,060|35=1960|36=2,306,010|37=1965|38=2,701,770|39=1970|40=3,366,624|41=1975|42=4,149,147|43=1980|44=4,735,424|45=1985|46=5,148,163|47=1990|48=5,555,429|49=1995|50=5,797,782|51=2000|52=5,926,285|53=2005|54=6,056,462|55=2010|56=6,216,289|57=2015|58=6,222,666|percentages=pagr|footnote=Source:<ref>[http://www.stat.go.jp/english/index.html Statistics Bureau of Japan]</ref>|59=2020|60=6,284,480}}

===Early history===
Chiba Prefecture was settled in prehistoric times, as evidenced by the [[Jōmon period]] remains in every part of the region. The prefecture holds the largest ''kaizuka'' [[midden|sea shell mounds]] in Japan, evidence of a large population in the prefecture that relied on the rich marine products of the Pacific Ocean and Tokyo Bay. [[Kofun]] burial mounds are found across the prefecture, with the largest group being in Futtsu along Tokyo Bay.<ref>{{cite book | script-title=ja:千葉県史料: 原始古代編 |trans-title=Historical Materials on Chiba Prefecture: Prehistory and Ancient History | volume = Kazusa-no-Kuni | year = 1963 | publisher = Chiba Prefecture | location = Chiba, Chiba Prefecture | language = ja | oclc = 37884389 | lccn = 67000809}}</ref>

===Asuka and Nara periods===
In the [[Asuka period]] (538–710), under the [[Taika Reform]] of 645, the administrative structure of present-day Chiba Prefecture changed significantly. The historical province of [[Fusa Province]], which may have covered much of Chiba and [[Ibaraki Prefecture|Ibaraki]] prefectures, was divided into two provinces: [[Shimōsa Province]] (also called Shimofusa) in the north and [[Kazusa Province]] in the southern area. [[Awa Province (Chiba)|Awa Province]] at the south of Chiba Prefecture, was separated from Kazusa Prefecture in 718. These administrative units existed until they were abolished and merged into Chiba Prefecture after the [[Meiji Restoration]]. The central government established a ''kokubunji'' [[provincial temple]] in each province.<ref name="sanpo-h">{{cite book|last1=Chiba-ken Kōtō Gakkō Kyōiku Kenkyūkai. Rekishi Bukai. |title=Chiba-ken no rekishi sanpo (千葉県の歴史散步) |publisher=Yamakawa Shuppansha |year=1989 |location=Tokyo |pages=3–4 |language=ja |isbn=9784634291201}}</ref>

===Heian period===
The imperial court gradually extended its authority over the three provinces in the [[Nara period|Nara]] (710–794) and [[Heian period|Heian]] (794–1185) periods. [[Shōen]] feudal estates were established across the three provinces, and the region became an important source of tax revenue, sending agricultural and other products to the capital in Kyoto. As the Heian period progressed, however, the [[kokushi (officials)|kokushi]] provincial governors came to exert military power independent of the central government in Kyoto. The [[Chiba clan]] broke entirely with the imperial court and was instrumental in the establishment of the [[Kamakura shogunate]].<ref name="sanpo-h" /><ref>Nussbaum, "Provinces and prefectures" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|p. 780|page=780}}.</ref>

===Modern period===
[[File:Student militia at Kujukurihama.jpg|left|thumb|Student militia of the [[Fifty-Second Army (Japan)|Japanese 52nd Army]] training on [[Kujūkuri Beach]], early 1945]]
Chiba Prefecture was established on June 15, 1873, with the merger of [[Kisarazu Prefecture]] and [[Inba Prefecture]].

The [[militarization]] of Chiba Prefecture dates to the [[Russo-Japanese War]] (1904&ndash;1905). Coastal fortifications were built along [[Tokyo Bay]], as far south as Tateyama, to protect the capital of the [[Empire of Japan]] from attack.

In September 1923, the [[1923 Great Kantō earthquake|Great Kanto earthquake]] has cause of widespread destruction in Chiba Prefecture, most notably in the southernmost part of [[Bōsō Peninsula|Boso Peninsula]], where 1,300 residents were killed, out of 142,000 deaths. Areas of prefecture adjacent to Tokyo saw much damage, and mob violence against Koreans and other ethnic minorities occurred in the chaos after the earthquake in Funabashi, [[Ichikawa, Chiba|Ichikawa]], and other areas.<ref>{{cite book| last1 = Chiba-ken Kōtō Gakkō Kyōiku Kenkyūkai. Rekishi Bukai. | title = Chiba-ken no rekishi sanpo (千葉県の歴史散步) | publisher = Yamakawa Shuppansha | year = 1989 | location = Tokyo | page = 9 | language = ja | isbn = 9784634291201}}</ref>

Koreans, in several neighborhoods of Yachiyo, were killed, and a tower was erected in 1972 near [[Yachiyodai Station]] to memorialize those killed in the incident.<ref>{{cite book| last1 = Chiba-ken Kōtō Gakkō Kyōiku Kenkyūkai. Rekishi Bukai. | title = Chiba-ken no rekishi sanpo (千葉県の歴史散步) | publisher = Yamakawa Shuppansha | year = 1989 | location = Tokyo | page = 91 | language = ja | isbn = 9784634291201}}</ref> In the 1930s, the north and central areas of the prefecture became a center of large-scale military production, and military bases and fortifications were constructed in most of the coastal areas of the prefecture. After the United States took control of [[Saipan]], the northern part of the prefecture (most notably the cities of Chiba and Chōshi) was [[firebombed]]. Much of the industrialized north of the prefecture was destroyed. [[Operation Downfall#Coronet|Operation Coronet]], one of two parts of [[Operation Downfall]], was the planned land invasion of Tokyo in March 1946 by the United States. Coronet planned [[Kujūkuri Beach]] as one of two initial landing bases, the other being [[Hiratsuka, Kanagawa|Hiratsuka]] via [[Sagami Bay]]. The [[U.S. First Army]] would enter at Kujūkuri, sweep across the Boso Peninsula, and meet the [[U.S. Eighth Army]] at Tokyo. The plan was not carried out since [[surrender of Japan|Japan surrendered]] after the [[atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Giangreco | first = D. M. | title = Hell to Pay: Operation DOWNFALL and the Invasion of Japan, 1945-1947 | year = 2011 | publisher = Naval Institute Press | location = New York | isbn = 9781612510262 | oclc = 741492494 | pages = 169–170}}</ref>

[[File:Nippon Steel Kimitsu Works.jpg|right|thumb|Nippon Steel Kimitsu Works, 2007, Kimitsu, Keiyō Industrial Zone]]

During the [[Occupation of Japan]] (1945&ndash;1952) Chiba Prefecture was controlled by American forces from the second floor of the prefectural capitol building in the city of Chiba. Numerous other cities in the prefecture, including Chōshi to the north and Tateyama to the south, were used as bases of the occupation; rich agricultural areas across the prefecture somewhat safeguarded the region's population from potential food shortages, and starvation, immediately following the war. The immediate post-war period was characterized by carefully planned industrial expansion in the north of the prefecture, and the significant increase of agriculture after [[land reform]]s across the prefecture. The [[Keiyō Industrial Zone]] brought together smaller, industrial areas along the entirety of the western coast of Chiba Prefecture, and the industrial zone became (and remains) an important center of heavy industrial production and large-scale port facilities in Japan. Cities to the northeast of the prefecture (in close proximity to Tokyo) were connected by rail to the capitol, and became and remain [[bedroom communities]] to Tokyo. [[Narita International Airport]] began operation in 1978 in [[Narita, Chiba|Narita]], after much protest to replace the overcrowded [[Haneda Airport|Tokyo International Airport]] (Haneda Airport). The majority of international air traffic enters Japan via Chiba Prefecture. The cultivation of [[rice]] and vegetables to feed the [[Greater Tokyo Area|Greater Tokyo Metropolitan Area]] expanded greatly and became a source of income to the northeast and central areas of the prefecture. The expansion of agriculture in the central and southern regions of the prefecture was in contrast to the depopulation of these areas as a significant part of the population moved to the northeast of the prefecture as a result of the [[urbanization]] of Japan, a process that continues into the 21st century.

On March 11, 2011, the epicenter of [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami|9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami]] and subsequent [[Fukushima nuclear disaster]] that devastated much of the northeastern coast of Honshu, which caused some damage and affected areas in Chiba Prefecture. While the loss of life and damage to housing and industry was far less than in [[Tōhoku region]], 20 people were killed in Chiba Prefecture, including 13 people were recorded deaths in [[Asahi, Chiba|Asahi]]. Following the triple disaster, an [[oil refinery]] fire broke out at the [[Cosmo Oil]] Chiba Refinery, in [[Ichihara, Chiba|Ichihara]], and was widely covered in the news media. Also, a large [[liquefied petroleum gas]] (LPG) tanks burned at 10 days earlier.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cosmo-oil.co.jp/eng/information/110321/index.html|title=LPG Tanks Fire Extinguished at Chiba Refinery (5th Update)|publisher=Cosmo Energy Holdings|date=March 21, 2011}}</ref> [[Soil liquefaction]], in areas of [[reclaimed land]] across the northern and western areas of Chiba Prefecture, caused damage to housing.<ref name="japantimeslf">{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120330f1.html|title=Liquefaction driving away Chiba residents|last=Fukue|first=Natsuko|work=[[Japan Times]]|date=30 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401075038/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120330f1.html|archive-date=1 April 2012}}</ref> [[Chiba, Chiba|Chiba City]], [[Funabashi, Chiba|Funabashi]], [[Narashino, Chiba|Narashino]], and especially [[Urayasu, Chiba|Urayasu]] were greatly affected by triple disaster (such as soil liquefaction, and evidence of radioactive materials caused by the Fukushima radiation).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110409002397.htm|title=Liquefaction damage widespread|work=[[Yomiuri Shimbun]]|date=10 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411081158/http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110409002397.htm|archive-date=11 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110408f3.html|title=Urayasu still dealing with liquefaction|last=Fukue|first=Natsuko|work=[[Japan Times]]|date=8 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110410212330/http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110408f3.html |url-status=dead|archive-date=10 April 2011}}</ref> As a result of triple disaster and with permanent damage to housing stock, the population of Chiba Prefecture fell for the first time since [[Spanish flu|Spanish flu pandemic]] in 1918 and [[1923 Great Kantō earthquake|Great Kanto earthquake]] in 1923.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120208003386.htm|title=Foreigner exodus spurs Chiba population decline|work=[[Yomiuri Shimbun]]|date=9 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212003247/http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120208003386.htm|archive-date=12 February 2012}}</ref>

== Geography ==
Chiba Prefecture borders [[Ibaraki Prefecture]] to the north at the Tone River, [[Tokyo]] and [[Saitama Prefecture]] to the west at the Edo River, the [[Pacific Ocean]] to the east and [[Tokyo Bay]] around its southern boundary. Most of Chiba lies on the hilly [[Boso Peninsula]], a [[rice]] farming region: the east coast, known as the [[Kujūkuri Plain]],<ref name="dijitaru-kujukuriheino">{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Dijitaru daijisen |title=九十九里平野 (Kujūri Heino) |url=http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ |access-date=2012-04-09 |year=2012 |publisher=Shogakukan |location=Tokyo |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ |archive-date=2007-08-25 }}</ref> is an especially productive area. The most populous zone, in the northwest of the prefecture, is part of the [[Kantō region]] that extends into the urban agglomeration of Tokyo and Saitama. The [[Kuroshio Current]] flows near Chiba, which keeps it relatively warm in winter and cooler in summer than neighbouring Tokyo.

=== National and prefectural parks ===
[[File:Coast in emi kamogawa 01.jpg|right|thumb|Coastal area in Emi, [[Kamogawa, Chiba|Kamogawa]]]]
With the exception of the large-scale [[Keiyō Industrial Zone]] in the northeast, the entirety of the coast of Chiba Prefecture is protected as two quasi-national parks and one prefectural natural park under the national park system of Japan. As of 1 April 2012, 6% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as [[List of national parks of Japan#History|Natural Parks]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/doc/files/np_6.pdf |title=General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture |publisher=[[Ministry of the Environment (Japan)|Ministry of the Environment]] |access-date=26 April 2012}}</ref>

*[[Suigo-Tsukuba Quasi-National Park]] encompasses a large area of the [[Tone River]] basin and the area around [[Mount Tsukuba]] in [[Ibaraki Prefecture]]. The park was established in 1953 to protect not only the environment of the area, but also its unique cultural heritage. The mouth of the Tone River and to [[Cape Inubō]] and [[Byōbugaura]] in northeastern Chiba Prefecture make up the southern part of the park.<ref name="nipponika-suigo">{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Nihon Daihyakka Zensho (Nipponika) (日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ) |title=Suigō-Tsukuba Kokutei Kōen (水郷筑波国定公園) |url=http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ |access-date=2012-04-09 |year=2012 |publisher=Shogakukan |location=Tokyo |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ |archive-date=2007-08-25 }}</ref>
*[[Minami Bōsō Quasi-National Park|Minami Boso Quasi-National Park]] was established in 1953 to protect much of the southern coastal areas of Chiba Prefecture from [[Cape Futtsu]] on [[Tokyo Bay]] to [[Cape Inubō]] in northeastern Chiba Prefecture. The park spans across nine administrative districts in the prefecture. Minami Boso Quasi-National Park was established to protect not only the environment of coastal areas, but also the unique cultural assets of associated with these areas, notably the temples associated with [[Nichiren]].<ref name="nipponika-minami">{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Nihon Daihyakka Zensho (Nipponika) (日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ) |title=Minami-Bōsō Kokutei Kōen (南房総国定公園) |url=http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ |access-date=2012-04-09 |year=2012 |publisher=Shogakukan |location=Tokyo |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825113418/http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ |archive-date=2007-08-25 }}</ref>

Chiba Prefecture has designated and maintains eight prefectural natural parks to protect both natural and cultural areas, namely the [[Inba Tega Prefectural Natural Park|Inba Tega]], [[Kasamori Tsurumai Prefectural Natural Park|Kasamori Tsurumai]], [[Kujūkuri Prefectural Natural Park|Kujūkuri]], [[Mineokasankei Prefectural Natural Park|Mineokasankei]], [[Ōtone Prefectural Natural Park|Ōtone]], [[Takagoyama Prefectural Natural Park|Takagoyama]], [[Tomisan Prefectural Natural Park|Tomisan]], and [[Yōrō Keikoku Okukiyosumi Prefectural Natural Park|Yōrō Keikoku Okukiyosumi]] Prefectural Natural Parks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/shizen/kouen/shizenkouen/chiba.html |script-title=ja:千葉県の自然公園一覧表  |trans-title=List of Natural Parks of Chiba Prefecture |language=ja |publisher=Chiba Prefecture |access-date=26 April 2012}}</ref> Cities, towns, and villages in the prefecture also have designated and protected parklands. These parks are maintained for environmental protection as well as providing local recreational facilities.

== Municipalities ==
[[Image:Map of Chiba Prefecture Ja.svg|thumb|Map of Chiba Prefecture<br />{{legend0|#D8E|Government Ordinance Designated City}} {{legend0|#EAB|Other city}} {{legend0|#ED9|Town}} {{legend0|#BFE|Village}}]]
{{See also|List of cities in Chiba Prefecture by population}}
Since 2010, Chiba consists of 54 [[Municipalities of Japan|municipalities]] and since 2013, they are 37 [[Cities of Japan|cities]], 16 [[Towns of Japan|towns]] and one [[Villages of Japan|village]].
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Municipalities of Chiba Prefecture
|-
! rowspan="2" | Flag, short name <small>w/o suffix</small>
! colspan="3" | Full name
! rowspan="2" | [[Districts of Japan|District]]<br />''(-gun)''
! rowspan="2" | Area (km<sup>2</sup>)<br /><small>(January 2021)</small><ref>GSI: [https://www.gsi.go.jp/KOKUJYOHO/MENCHO/backnumber/GSI-menseki20210101.pdf Areas of all cities, special wards, towns and villages of all prefectures], retrieved August 22, 2021.</ref>
! rowspan="2" | Population<br /><small>(March 2021)</small><ref>Chiba prefectural government: [https://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/toukei/toukeidata/joujuu/index.html Monthly population statistics, based on resident registration data], retrieved August 22, 2021.</ref>
! rowspan="2" | [[Local Autonomy Law|LPE]] code<br /><small>(w/o pref. [12...],<br />checksum [-x])</small>
|-
! <small>[[Japanese writing system|Japanese]]</small> || <small>[[Romanization of Japanese|transcription]]</small> || <small>[[English language|translation]]</small>
|-
| [[File:Flag of Chiba, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Chiba, Chiba|Chiba]]<br /><small>([[Prefectural capital]], [[Designated cities of Japan|designated major city]]<!--the toshi/major city part is what's important to convey here, core cities are designated by a central government executive order (seirei), too; the rest is just historical bureaucratic jargon: seirei-cities date to 1956 and were the only major city status for a long time, chūkaku-cities are in comparison fairly recent (1996).!--></small>)
| 千葉市 || Chiba-shi || Chiba City || –
| 271.76
| 981,738
| 100
|-
| [[File:Flag of Choshi, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Chōshi, Chiba|Chōshi]]
| 銚子市 || Chōshi-shi || Chōshi City || –
| 84.20
| 57,533
| 202
|-
| [[File:Flag of Ichikawa, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ichikawa, Chiba|Ichikawa]]
| 市川市 || Ichikawa-shi || Ichikawa City || –
| 57.45
| 496,657
| 203
|-
| [[File:Flag of Funabashi, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Funabashi, Chiba|Funabashi]]<br /><small>([[Core cities of Japan|Core city]])</small>
| 船橋市 || Funabashi-shi || Funabashi City || –
| 61.38
| 641,499
| 204
|-
| [[File:Flag of Tateyama, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Tateyama, Chiba|Tateyama]]
| 館山市 || Tateyama-shi || Tateyama City || –
| 110.05
| 44,692
| 205
|-
| [[File:Flag of Kisarazu, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kisarazu, Chiba|Kisarazu]]
| 木更津市 || Kisarazu-shi || Kisarazu City || –
| 138.95
| 136,118
| 206
|-
| [[File:Flag of Matsudo, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Matsudo, Chiba|Matsudo]]
| 松戸市 || Matsudo-shi || Matsudo City || –
| 61.38
| 492,367
| 207
|-
| [[File:Flag of Noda, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Noda, Chiba|Noda]]
| 野田市 || Noda-shi || Noda City || –
| 103.55
| 152,227
| 208
|-
| [[File:Flag of Mobara, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Mobara, Chiba|Mobara]]
| 茂原市 || Mobara-shi || Mobara City || –
| 99.92
| 86,446
| 210
|-
| [[File:Flag of Narita, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Narita, Chiba|Narita]]
| 成田市 || Narita-shi || Narita City || –
| 213.84
| 130,689
| 211
|-
| [[File:Flag of Sakura, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Sakura, Chiba|Sakura]]
| 佐倉市 || Sakura-shi || Sakura City || –
| 103.69
| 169,059
| 212
|-
| [[File:Flag of Togane, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Tōgane, Chiba|Tōgane]]
| 東金市 || Tōgane-shi || Tōgane City || –
| 89.12
| 57,560
| 213
|-
| [[File:Flag of Asahi, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Asahi, Chiba|Asahi]]
| 旭市 || Asahi-shi || Asahi City || –
| 130.45
| 63,507
| 215
|-
| [[File:Flag of Narashino, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Narashino, Chiba|Narashino]]
| 習志野市 || Narashino-shi || Narashino City || –
| 20.97
| 174,990
| 216
|-
| [[File:Flag of Kashiwa, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kashiwa, Chiba|Kashiwa]]<br /><small>([[Core cities of Japan|Core city]])</small>
| 柏市 || Kashiwa-shi || Kashiwa City || –
| 114.74
| 433,941
| 217
|-
| [[File:Flag of Katsuura, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Katsuura, Chiba|Katsuura]]
| 勝浦市 || Katsuura-shi || Katsuura City || –
| 93.96
| 16,723
| 218
|-
| [[File:Flag of Ichihara, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ichihara, Chiba|Ichihara]]
| 市原市 || Ichihara-shi || Ichihara City || –
| 368.17
| 268,038
| 219
|-
| [[File:Flag of Nagareyama, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Nagareyama, Chiba|Nagareyama]]
| 流山市 || Nagareyama-shi || Nagareyama City || –
| 35.32
| 200,298
| 220
|-
| [[File:Flag of Yachiyo, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Yachiyo, Chiba|Yachiyo]]
| 八千代市 || Yachiyo-shi || Yachiyo City || –
| 51.39
| 200,538
| 221
|-
| [[File:Flag of Abiko, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Abiko, Chiba|Abiko]]
| 我孫子市 || Abiko-shi || Abiko City || –
| 43.15
| 130,290
| 222
|-
| [[File:Flag of Kamogawa, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kamogawa, Chiba|Kamogawa]]
| 鴨川市 || Kamogawa-shi || Kamogawa City || –
| 191.14
| 31,554
| 223
|-
| [[File:Flag of Kamagaya, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kamagaya, Chiba|Kamagaya]]
| 鎌ケ谷市 || Kamagaya-shi || Kamagaya City || –
| 21.08
| 109,370
| 224
|-
| [[File:Flag of Kimitsu, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kimitsu, Chiba|Kimitsu]]
| 君津市  || Kimitsu-shi || Kimitsu City || –
| 318.81
| 81,355
| 225
|-
| [[File:Flag of Futtsu Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Futtsu, Chiba|Futtsu]]
| 富津市 || Futtsu-shi || Futtsu City || –
| 205.47
| 42,280
| 226
|-
| [[File:Flag of Urayasu, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Urayasu, Chiba|Urayasu]]
| 浦安市 || Urayasu-shi || Urayasu City || –
| 17.30
| 169,749
| 227
|-
| [[File:Flag of Yotsukaido, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Yotsukaidō, Chiba|Yotsukaidō]]
| 四街道市 || Yotsukaidō-shi || Yotsukaidō City || –
| 34.52
| 93,233
| 228
|-
| [[File:Flag of Sodegaura Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Sodegaura, Chiba|Sodegaura]]
| 袖ケ浦市 || Sodegaura-shi || Sodegaura City || –
| 94.93
| 63,975
| 229
|-
| [[File:Flag of Yachimata, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Yachimata, Chiba|Yachimata]]
| 八街市 || Yachimata-shi || Yachimata City || –
| 74.94
| 66,430
| 230
|-
| [[File:Flag of Inzai, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Inzai, Chiba|Inzai]]
| 印西市 || Inzai-shi || Inzai City<br />([[Inba District, Chiba|In[ba]]] West City) || –
| 123.79
| 103,677
| 231
|-
| [[File:Flag of Shiroi, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Shiroi, Chiba|Shiroi]]
| 白井市 || Shiroi-shi || Shiroi City || –
| 35.48
| 61,673
| 232
|-
| [[File:Flag of Tomisato, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Tomisato, Chiba|Tomisato]]
| 富里市 || Tomisato-shi || Tomisato City || –
| 53.88
| 49,470
| 233
|-
| [[File:Flag of Minamibōsō, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Minamibōsō, Chiba|Minamiboso]]
| 南房総市 || Minami-Bōsō-shi || Minami-Boso City<br />(South [[Bōsō Peninsula|Boso]] City) || –
| 230.10
| 35,454
| 234
|-
| [[File:Flag of Sosa, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Sōsa, Chiba|Sōsa]]
| 匝瑳市 || Sōsa-shi || Sōsa City<br /><small>(after [[Sōsa District, Chiba|Sōsa District]])</small> || –
| 101.52
| 34,427
| 235
|-
| [[File:Flag of Katori, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Katori, Chiba|Katori]]
| 香取市 || Katori-shi || Katori City<br /><small>(after [[Katori District, Chiba|Katori District]])</small> || –
| 262.35
| 71,391
| 236
|-
| [[File:Flag of Sanmu, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Sanmu, Chiba|Sanmu]]
| 山武市 || Sanmu-shi || Sanmu City || –
| 146.77
| 48,196
| 237
|-
| [[File:Flag of Isumi, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Isumi, Chiba|Isumi]]
| いすみ市 || Isumi-shi || Isumi City || –
| 157.50
| 35,570
| 238
|-
| [[File:Flag of Oamashirasato, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ōamishirasato, Chiba|Ōamishirasato]]
| 大網白里市 || Ōami-Shirasato-shi || Ōami-Shirasato City<br /><small>(merger of [[Ōami, Chiba|Ōami Town]] & [[Shirasato, Chiba|Shirasato Village]])</small> || –
| 58.08
| 47,722
| 239
|-
| [[File:Flag of Shisui, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Shisui, Chiba|Shisui]]
| 酒々井町 || Shisui-machi || Shisui Town || rowspan="2" | [[Inba District, Chiba|Inba]]
| 19.01
| 20,278
| 322
|-
| [[File:Flag of Sakae Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Sakae, Chiba|Sakae]]
| 栄町 || Sakae-machi || Sakae Town
| 32.51
| 19,902
| 329
|-
| [[File:Flag of Kozaki, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kōzaki, Chiba|Kōzaki]]
| 神崎町 || Kōzaki-machi || Kōzaki Town || rowspan="3" | [[Katori District, Chiba|Katori]]
| 19.90
| 5,663
| 342
|-
| [[File:Flag of Tako, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Tako, Chiba|Tako]]
| 多古町 || Tako-machi || Tako Town
| 72.80
| 13,804
| 347
|-
| [[File:Flag of Tohnosho, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Tōnoshō, Chiba|Tōnoshō]]
| 東庄町 || Tōnoshō-machi || Tōnoshō Town
| 46.25
| 13,085
| 349
|-
| [[File:Flag of Kujukuri, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kujūkuri, Chiba|Kujūkuri]]
| 九十九里町 || Kujūkuri-machi || Kujūkuri Town || rowspan="3" | [[Sanbu District, Chiba|Sanbu]]
| 24.46
| 14,652
| 403
|-
| [[File:Flag of Shibayama, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Shibayama, Chiba|Shibayama]]
| 芝山町 || Shibayama-machi || Shibayama Town
| 43.24
| 6,916
| 409
|-
| [[File:Flag of Yokoshibahikari Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Yokoshibahikari, Chiba|Yokoshibahikari]]
| 横芝光町 || Yokoshiba-Hikari-machi || Yokoshiba-Hikari Town<br /><small>(merger of [[Yokoshiba, Chiba|Yokoshiba Town]] & [[Hikari, Chiba|Hikari Town]])</small>
| 67.01
| 22,271
| 410
|-
| [[File:Flag of Ichinomiya, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ichinomiya, Chiba|Ichinomiya]]
| 一宮町 || Ichinomiya-machi || Ichinomiya Town<br /><small>([[Kazusa Province|[Kazusa]]] [[Ichinomiya|provincial shrine]] Town)</small> || rowspan="6" | [[Chōsei District, Chiba|Chōsei]]
| 22.99
| 11,622
| 421
|-
| [[File:Flag of Mutsuzawa, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Mutsuzawa, Chiba|Mutsuzawa]]
| 睦沢町 || Mutsuzawa-machi || Mutsuzawa Town
| 35.59
| 6,761
| 422
|-
| [[File:Flag of Chosei, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Chōsei, Chiba|Chōsei]]
| 長生村 || Chōsei-mura || Chōsei Village
| 28.25
| 13,656
| 423
|-
| [[File:Flag of Shirako, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Shirako, Chiba|Shirako]]
| 白子町 || Shirako-machi || Shirako Town
| 27.50
| 10,280
| 424
|-
| [[File:Flag of Nagara, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Nagara, Chiba|Nagara]]
| 長柄町 || Nagara-machi || Nagara Town
| 47.11
| 6,664
| 426
|-
| [[File:Flag of Chonan, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Chōnan, Chiba|Chōnan]]
| 長南町 || Chōnan-machi || Chōnan Town
| 65.51
| 7,368
| 427
|-
| [[File:Flag of Otaki, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ōtaki, Chiba|Ōtaki]]
| 大多喜町 || Ōtaki-machi || Ōtaki Town || rowspan="2" | [[Isumi District, Chiba|Isumi]]
| 129.87
| 8,762
| 441
|-
| [[File:Flag of Onjuku, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Onjuku, Chiba|Onjuku]]
| 御宿町 || Onjuku-machi || Onjuku Town
| 24.85
| 6,769
| 443
|-
| [[File:Flag of Kyonan, Chiba.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kyonan, Chiba|Kyonan]]
| 鋸南町 || Kyonan-machi || Kyonan Town || [[Awa District, Chiba|Awa]]
| 45.17
| 7,027
| 463
|-
! [[File:Flag of Chiba Prefecture.svg|frameless|25x25px]] Chiba
! 千葉県 || Chiba-ken || Chiba Prefecture || –
! 5,157.50 || 6,275,916
! 000<br />ISO: JP-12
|}

<gallery>
File:View from Chiba Port-Tower Northwest.jpg|Chiba City
File:Edo river near Ichikawa.JPG|Ichikawa
File:North view near Narita Station.JPG|Narita
File:20090730鴨川市.jpg|Kamogawa
File:007 Katori, Japan - 香取市.JPG|Katori
File:SH3J0304.jpg|Katsuura
</gallery>

===Mergers===
{{main|List of mergers in Chiba Prefecture}}
With the introduction of [[Municipalities of Japan|modern municipalities (cities/towns/villages)]] in 1889, Chiba's districts were subdivided into 43 towns and 315 villages. The first city was created in 1921 when Chiba Town from Chiba District became district-independent as Chiba City. The postwar/1950s Great Shōwa mergers reduced the number of municipalities in Chiba to 101 by 1960, including 14 cities by then. The early 3rd millennium Great Heisei mergers created the current 54 municipalities by 2010.

== List of governors of Chiba Prefecture (from 1947) ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2022}}
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}
* Tamenosuke Kawaguchi (川口為之助) – from 21 April 1947 to 25 October 1950
* Hitoshi Shibata (柴田 等) – from 15 December 1950 to 2 November 1962
* Hisaaki Kano (加納久朗) – from 3 November 1962 to 21 February 1963
* Taketo Tomonoo (友納武人) – from 17 April 1963 to 16 April 1975
* Kiichi Kawakami (川上紀一) – from 17 April 1975 to 27 February 1981
{{col-2}}
* Takeshi Numata (沼田 武) – from 5 April 1981 to 4 April 2001
* [[Akiko Domoto]] (堂本暁子) – from 5 April 2001 to 4 April 2009
* [[Kensaku Morita]] (森田健作) – from 5 April 2009 to 4 April 2021
* [[:ja:熊谷俊人|Toshihito Kumagai]] (熊谷俊人) – from 5 April 2021 to present
{{col-end}}

== Economy ==
===Industry===
Chiba Prefecture is home to one of Japan's largest industrial areas. Prior to [[World War II]] manufacturing in the prefecture was centered on the [[brewing industry]], specifically the production of [[soy sauce]], [[sake]] and [[mirin]] sweet cooking sake. The [[manufacturing]] sector expanded greatly after the war. The prefecture was chosen as the site for a major [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries|Kawasaki Steel]] factory in 1950. In the same period the prefectural government embarked on a large-scale [[land reclamation]] program to [[dredging|dredge]] large plots of waterfront property. The large-scale construction of [[factory|factories]], [[warehouses]], and [[dock (maritime)|dock]]s on this reclaimed land around the Tokyo Bay area ultimately formed the [[Keiyō Industrial Zone]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/economy/summit/2008/venue/chiba_02.html|title=Chiba Industry|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan}}</ref> Chiba Prefecture is now 6th in Japan in [[industrial production|industrial output]] with the bulk of the industry focused on the [[petroleum industry|petroleum]], [[chemical industry|chemical]], and [[steel industry|steel]] and [[machine industries]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/english/outline/industry.html |title=Industry in Chiba Prefecture |publisher=Chiba Prefectural Government |access-date=2015-11-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304013345/http://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/english/outline/industry.html |archive-date=2012-03-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Together, these industries account for forty-five percent of the prefecture's exports. In recent years, the government has funded more than eighty [[industrial park]]s to bring development further inland as well.

===Agriculture===
[[File:Working in the Rice Paddies in May.jpg|right|thumb|Rice production, Sawara, [[Katori, Chiba|Katori]]]]
The prefecture also boasts Japan's overall second-highest agricultural output. Among all the prefectures, only [[Hokkaido]] produces more agricultural products, and Chiba leads Hokkaido in vegetable production.{{Citation needed|date=August 2008}} [[Peanut]]s are considered a specialty product of Chiba: 78% of the country's peanuts are produced in the prefecture.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chiba |first1=Chiba Prefecture |title=Chiba-ken Agricultural statistics |url=https://japancrops.com/en/prefectures/chiba/ |website=www.japancrops.com |access-date=19 May 2022}}</ref>

Chiba Prefecture leads the nation in the production of several vegetables, including [[carrot]]s; [[cabbage]]; [[daikon]] [[radish]]; ''negi'', the ubiquitous Japanese [[cultivar]] of the [[Welsh onion]]; [[loquat]]; [[Pyrus pyrifolia|nashi]], the Japanese cultivar of the [[pear]], which has a two hundred-year history of cultivation in the prefecture; [[tomato]]es; and [[spinach]]<ref name="chiba-food">{{Cite web |url=http://www.chiba-tour.jp/html/food-vegetables_en.html |title=Welcome to Chiba - Foods |publisher=Chiba Prefectural Government |access-date=2012-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831220621/http://www.chiba-tour.jp/html/food-vegetables_en.html |archive-date=2012-08-31 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="trends">{{cite web | url = http://web-japan.org/trends/07_food/jfd071204.html | title = Trends in Japan: Chiba Offers Delicacies From Land And Sea | date = 4 December 2007 | publisher = Web Japan | access-date  = 2012-04-26}}</ref> It is the nation's second largest producer of [[maize|corn]].<ref name="chiba-food"/> [[Rice]] is also grown, and [[seaweed]], specifically ''[[nori]]'', is harvested in large quantities from Tokyo Bay.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.city.ichikawa.lg.jp/english/cityprofile/0027.html |title=Ichikawa Produces Nori (Laver Seaweed) |publisher=Ichikawa City |date=2009-11-25 |access-date=2012-01-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214050458/http://www.city.ichikawa.lg.jp/english/cityprofile/0027.html |archive-date=2012-02-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Demographics ==
[[File:Chiba prefecture population pyramid in 2020.svg|thumb|249x249px|Chiba prefecture population pyramid in 2020]]
Chiba's population is one of the wealthiest in Japan due to the prefecture's strong commercial and industrial sectors. Per capita GDP is ¥3.1 million, the fifth-highest in the country. 70% of the population is employed in the service sector, with 25% in industry and 5% in agriculture.{{Citation needed|date=August 2008}}

==Climate==
Chiba Prefecture has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Koppen]] ''Cfa'') with hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters. The ''tsuyu'' [[East Asian rainy season|rainy season]] occurs for approximately 50 days from June to July. According to the [[Japan Meteorological Agency|Japanese Meteorological Agency]], the average of annual temperature is {{cvt|15.7|C}}. The average high is {{cvt|19.6|C}}, and the average low is {{cvt|12.3|C}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=気象庁{{pipe}}過去の気象データ検索|url=https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_sfc_ym.php?prec_no=45&block_no=47682&year=&month=&day=&view=|website=www.data.jma.go.jp|access-date=2019-02-18}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Chiba, Chiba
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan high F = 48
|Feb high F = 48
|Mar high F = 53
|Apr high F = 63
|May high F = 71
|Jun high F = 75
|Jul high F = 81
|Aug high F = 85
|Sep high F = 79
|Oct high F = 69
|Nov high F = 61
|Dec high F = 53
|year high F = 
|Jan low F = 33
|Feb low F = 34
|Mar low F = 39
|Apr low F = 49
|May low F = 57
|Jun low F = 64
|Jul low F = 70
|Aug low F = 74
|Sep low F = 67
|Oct low F = 56
|Nov low F = 46
|Dec low F = 37
|year low F = 
|Jan precipitation mm = 48.3
|Feb precipitation mm = 66
|Mar precipitation mm = 94
|Apr precipitation mm = 109.2
|May precipitation mm = 96.5
|Jun precipitation mm = 139.7
|Jul precipitation mm = 106.7
|Aug precipitation mm = 121.9
|Sep precipitation mm = 177.8
|Oct precipitation mm = 157.5
|Nov precipitation mm = 83.8
|Dec precipitation mm = 48.3
|year precipitation mm = 
|source 1 = weather.com
|date=January 2012
}}

==Education==

===Universities===
[[File:Chiba University Library.jpg|right|thumb|Chiba University Library]]

*Chiba
**[[Chiba University]] in Inage, Chuo
**[[Chiba Keizai University|Chiba Economic University]] in Inage
**[[The Open University of Japan]] in Mihama
**The Meteorological College of Japan
**Heisei Teikyo University in Mihama
**[[Shukutoku University]] in Chuo
**[[Tokyo University of Information Sciences|Tokyo Information Sciences University]] in Wakaba
**[[Tokyo Dental College]] in Mihama
**[[Kanda University of International Studies]] in Mihama
**Tokyo University of Career Development in Chuo
*Funabashi
**[[Toho University]] – Narashino Campus
**[[Nihon University]] – Funabashi Campus
*Matsudo
**Nihon University – Matsudo Campus
**[[Ryutsu Keizai University]]
**[[Seitoku University]]
*Ichikawa
**[[Chiba University of Commerce|Chiba Commerce University]]
**[[Wayo Women's University]]
*Kashiwa
**[[University of Tokyo]] – Kashiwa Campus
**Chiba University – Kashiwanoha Campus
**[[Kaichi International University]]
**[[Nishogakusha University]] – Kasiwa Campus
**[[Reitaku University]]
*Narashino
**[[Chiba Institute of Technology]]
**Nihon University – Narashino and Mimomi Campus
*Ichihara
**Heisei Teikyo University – Ichihara Campus
*Yachiyo
**[[Shumei University]]
**[[Tokyo Seitoku University]]
*Sakura
**[[Keiai University]] – Sakura Campus
*Noda
**[[Tokyo University of Science]] – Noda Campus
*Nagareyama
**[[Edogawa University]]
**[[Toyo Gakuen University]]
*Urayasu
**[[Juntendo University]] – Urayasu Campus
**[[Meikai University]]
**[[Ryotokuji University]]
*Abiko
**[[Chuo Gakuin University]]
**[[Kawamura Gakuen Woman's University]]
*Kisarazu
**[[Seiwa University]]
*Togane
**[[Josai International University]]
*Inzai
**Juntendo University – Sakura Campus
*Kamogawa
**[[Kameda College of Health Sciences]]

===Secondary schools===
The [[Chiba Prefectural Board of Education]] oversees municipal school districts in the prefecture. The board also directly operates the prefecture's public high schools.

==Culture==
===Museums===
[[File:Chiba Museum of Science and Industry, outside 03.jpg|right|thumb|[[Chiba Museum of Science and Industry]]]]
Chiba Prefecture is home to one national-level museum and several prefectural and local museums. The [[National Museum of Japanese History]] is located in Sakura and focuses on the history, archaeology, and folk culture of Japan.<ref name="introduction">{{cite web |url=http://www.rekihaku.ac.jp/english/aboutus/index.html |title=Introduction to the Museum |year=2012 |publisher=National Museum of Japanese History |location=Sakura, Chiba Prefecture, Japan |access-date=July 21, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717054108/http://www.rekihaku.ac.jp/english/aboutus/index.html |archive-date=July 17, 2012 }}</ref> The Chiba prefectural museums consist of a main museum, the [[Natural History Museum and Institute, Chiba]] in the central Chuō-ku ward of Chiba City, and six branch museums throughout the prefecture. The [[Chiba Prefectural Museum of Art]] is in Chiba City. The [[Chiba Prefectural Boso-no-mura]] in Sakae focuses on the local culture of the late Edo period, and the [[Chiba Prefectural Otone Museum]] in Katori focuses on the culture of the [[Tone River]] basin. The reconstructed [[Japanese castle]]s of [[Sekiyado Castle|Sekiyado]] and [[Ōtaki Castle (Chiba)|Ōtaki]] host regional historical museums. The [[Chiba Museum of Science and Industry]] is located in Ichikawa on the site of a former factory, and the [[Coastal Branch of Natural History Museum and Institute, Chiba]] in Katsuura focuses on the marine environment of the Pacific Ocean coast.<ref>[http://www2.chiba-muse.or.jp/ 千葉の県立博物館]</ref> Numerous other municipalities in the prefecture also host museums.

===Libraries and archives===
The [[Chiba Prefectural Library]] consists of three libraries. The Chiba Prefectural Central Library is located in the central Chuō-ku ward of Chiba City directly southwest of [[Chiba Castle]] and in close proximity to the City of Chiba offices. The Central Library houses a general collection as well as the central research collection for the prefecture.<ref>{{cite book| last1 = Chiba-ken Kōtō Gakkō Kyōiku Kenkyūkai. Rekishi Bukai. | title = Chiba-ken no rekishi sanpo (千葉県の歴史散步) | publisher = Yamakawa Shuppansha | year = 1989 | location = Tokyo | page = 16 | language = ja | isbn = 9784634291201 | oclc = 28073785}}</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20120908041959/http://www.library.pref.chiba.lg.jp/en/central.html Chiba Prefectural Central Library]</ref> The 
Chiba Prefectural West Library is located in Matsudo next to the [[Matsudo Museum]],<ref>[https://archive.today/20120905173259/http://www.library.pref.chiba.lg.jp/en/west.html Chiba Prefectural West Library]</ref> and houses a research collection focused on natural history and the fine arts. The Chiba Prefectural East Library is located in Asahi,<ref>[https://archive.today/20120804210228/http://www.library.pref.chiba.lg.jp/en/east.html Chiba Prefectural West Library]</ref> and houses a research collection focused on the literature and history of the prefecture.<ref>[http://www.library.pref.chiba.lg.jp/10report/central/H23youran-1.pdf 要覧: 平成23年度, 千葉県立中央図書館, 千葉県立西図書館, 千葉県立東図書館]{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The [[Chiba Prefectural Archives]] are located across the [[Miyako River]] from the City of Chiba offices. The archive maintains a collection of rare books and materials from across the prefecture, as well as materials related to the administration of Chiba Prefecture.<ref>[https://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/bunshokan/contents/index.html 千葉県文書館, Chiba Prefectural Archives]</ref> Each municipality in the prefecture maintains a local libraries, and many shrines and temples maintain archival collections related to their institutions.

==Cuisine==
[[File:Big rolled sushi,Hutomakizushi,Katori-city,Chiba,Japan.JPG|thumb|''Futomaki'', large sushi rolls, Katori, Chiba Prefecture]]
[[File:Seaweed-dish,kaisou,katori-city,japan.JPG|thumb|''Kaisō'', a jelly-like food made from the seaweed ''Chondrus elatus''. Believed to have originated in [[Chōshi]] city]]
The traditional diet of Chiba Prefecture is not fundamentally different from that of the rest of Japan. Chiba Prefecture produces prolific quantities of rice across all areas in the prefecture, vegetables in the northern area of the prefecture, and fish, seafood, and shellfish along the coastal areas of the prefecture. Chōshi has been a major center of worldwide [[soy sauce]] production since the [[Edo period]], and the prefecture remains the top producer in Japan. [[Kikkoman]] is headquartered in Noda in northwestern Chiba Prefecture.<ref name="trends"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kikkoman.com/corporateprofile/directory/japan.shtml |title=Kikkoman Corporate Profile |access-date=2012-05-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326071713/http://www.kikkoman.com/corporateprofile/directory/japan.shtml |archive-date=2012-03-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref> These are all important components of [[Japanese cuisine]].

Certain local products, however, are grown in abundance and have resulted in several dishes unique to the areas. Peanuts, grown in great quantities in the prefecture, appear fresh in markets in the prefecture and are eaten boiled as a snack. [[Miso]] paste mixed with peanuts is also produced in Chiba.<ref name="trends"/> ''Takenoko'', whole [[bamboo shoot]], are harvested in the central part of the Boso Peninsula. The takenoko of Ōtaki lack the concentration of [[arsenic]] typically found in uncooked bamboo shoots, and as such, are uniquely eaten raw in the area as "takenoko sashimi".<ref>[http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/syokusai/contents/nextweek/0226/ 第271回『たけのこ』春の息吹 たけのこ4月18日放送予定] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607192734/https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/syokusai/contents/nextweek/0226/ |date=2020-06-07 }}{{in lang|ja}}</ref><ref name="tour">{{Cite web |url=http://www.chiba-tour.jp/html/food-country_en.html |title=Country Dishes of Chiba Prefecture |access-date=2012-05-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130701084437/http://www.chiba-tour.jp/html/food-country_en.html |archive-date=2013-07-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''[[Futomaki]]'' or ''futomakizushi'', literally "fat roll", is a large version of the sushi roll. The futomaki popularly made in Chiba Prefecture is up to 10 centimeters in diameter. Futomaki in Chiba Prefecture often utilize various ingredients to form a pattern, such as a flower or a [[kanji]] character, when the roll is cut and served.<ref name="trends"/><ref name="tour"/>

== Sports ==
[[File:QVC Marine Field (26991870310).jpg|thumb|[[Zozo Marine Stadium]], home of [[Chiba Lotte Marines]].]]
The prefecture plays host to two major events in the Japanese athletics calendar: the [[International Chiba Ekiden]] and the [[Chiba International Cross Country]].

The following sports teams are based in Chiba.

===American football===
*[[X-League (Japan)|X-League]]: [[Obic Seagulls]] ([[Narashino, Chiba|Narashino]])
*X-League: [[IBM Big Blue (X-League)|IBM Big Blue]] ([[Yachiyo, Chiba|Yachiyo]])

===Association football===
*[[J.League]] (J1): [[Kashiwa Reysol]] ([[Kashiwa, Chiba|Kashiwa]])
*J.League (J2): [[JEF United Ichihara Chiba]] ([[Chiba, Chiba|Chiba]], [[Ichihara, Chiba|Ichihara]])
*[[Japan Football League]]: [[Briobecca Urayasu Ichikawa]] ([[Urayasu]])
*[[Kantō Soccer League]]: [[Vonds Ichihara]] ([[Ichihara, Chiba|Ichihara]])

===Baseball===
*[[NPB]]: [[Chiba Lotte Marines]] ([[Chiba, Chiba|Chiba]])

===Basketball===
*[[B.League]]: [[Chiba Jets Funabashi]] ([[Funabashi, Chiba|Funabashi]])

===Rugby===
*[[IBM Big Blue (rugby union)|Nihon IBM Big Blue]] ([[Yachiyo, Chiba|Yachiyo]])
*[[Kubota Spears]] ([[Funabashi, Chiba|Funabashi]])
*[[NEC Green Rockets]] ([[Abiko, Chiba|Abiko]])

===Futsal===
*[[F.League]]: [[Bardral Urayasu]] ([[Urayasu, Chiba|Urayasu]])

===Volleyball===
*V.Challenge League II: [[Chiba Zelva]] ([[Chiba, Chiba|Chiba]])

== Transportation ==
===Narita International Airport===
Most [[Tokyo]]-bound visitors arriving on international flights land in [[Narita International Airport]], which is situated in [[Narita, Chiba|Narita]] in the north of the prefecture, and connected to Tokyo by the [[East Japan Railway Company|East Japan Railway]]'s ''[[Narita Express]]'' and the [[Keisei Electric Railway]]'s ''[[Skyliner]]''.

=== Railways ===
[[File:JR-E531-K422 Metro16000.jpg|thumb|Jōban Line]]
[[File:Narita-Line-Series209 Cherry.jpg|thumb|Narita Line]]
[[File:Kominato-Line Kazusakubo-STA.jpg|thumb|Kominato Railway]]
[[File:Isumi-Railway Type350-300.jpg|thumb|Isumi Railway]]
*[[East Japan Railway Company]]
**[[Sōbu Main Line]]
***[[Chūō-Sōbu Line]]
***[[Sōbu Line (Rapid)]]
**[[Jōban Line]]
***[[Jōban Line (Local)]]
***[[Jōban Line (Rapid)]]
**[[Narita Line]]
**[[Uchibō Line]]
**[[Sotobō Line]]
**[[Keiyō Line]]
**[[Musashino Line]]
**[[Tōgane Line]]
**[[Kashima Line]]
**[[Kururi Line]]
*[[Keisei Electric Railway|Keisei]]
**[[Keisei Main Line|Main Line]]
**[[Narita Sky Access]]
**[[Keisei Chiba Line|Chiba Line]]
**[[Keisei Chihara Line|Chihara Line]]
**Higashi Narita Line
*[[Shin-Keisei Electric Railway|Shin-Keisei Line]]
*[[Hokuso Railway|Hokuso Line]]
*[[Toyo Rapid Railway Line|Toyo Rapid Line]]
*[[Shibayama Railway]]
*[[Tobu Railway|Tobu]]
**[[Tobu Noda Line|Noda Line]]
*[[Tsukuba Express]]
*[[Tokyo Metro]] Tozai Line
*[[Toei Shinjuku Line]]
*[[Nagareyama Line]]
*[[Choshi Electric Railway]]
*[[Kominato Railway]]
*[[Isumi Railway]]
*[[Disney Resort Line]]

===People movers===
*[[Chiba Urban Monorail]]
*[[Yamaman Yukarigaoka Line]]

==Road==
===Expressways===
*[[Joban Expressway]]
*[[Shin Kuko Expressway|Narita Airport Expressway]]
*[[Higashi Kanto Expressway]]
*[[Tokyo Gaikan Expressway]]
*[[Tateyama Expressway]]
*[[Shuto Expressway]]
*[[Keiyo Road]]
*[[Togane Road]]
*[[Tokyo Bay Aqua Line]]

===National highways===
*Route 6
*Route 14
*Route 16
*Route 51
*Route 124
*Route 126
*Route 127
*Route 128
*Route 294
*Route 295
*Route 296
*Route 297
*Route 298
*Route 356
*Route 357
*Route 408
*Route 409
*Route 410
*Route 464
*Route 465

==Tourism==
The [[Tokyo Disney Resort]] is located in [[Urayasu, Chiba|Urayasu]] near the western border of the prefecture. The [[Kamogawa Sea World]] is located in [[Kamogawa, Chiba|Kamogawa]]. There are also a number of tourist sites on the Chiba peninsula, such as [[Mount Nokogiri (Chiba)|Nokogiriyama]]; [[Kujūkuri Beach]]; and [[Onjuku, Chiba|Onjuku beach]].
[[File:Chiba beach.jpg|thumb|left|A beach in Chiba]]

== Politics ==
[[File:ChibaKencho.jpg|thumb|Main building of the prefectural government in Chiba City]]
[[File:Chiba Prefectural Assembly Hall.jpg|thumb|The prefectural assembly building]]
Since 2009, the prefectural governor<ref>Chiba Prefecture: [https://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/kensei/kennogoannnai/chijishitsu/index.html Governor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703001103/http://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/kensei/kennogoannnai/chijishitsu/index.html |date=2015-07-03 }} {{in lang|ja}}</ref> is Eiji Suzuki<!--has to use his real name when performing in legal terms strictly official acts as prefectural governor of Chiba, e.g. when signing official documents, but other than that generally uses his stage name in public, also in his role as governor: https://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/seihou/chijishitsu/shimei/index.html!-->, better known under his stage name as [[Kensaku Morita]], former actor, member of the House of Representatives ([[Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)|LDP]]/Independent – Tokyo 4th district) and member of the House of Councillors (Independent – Tokyo). He was reelected overwhelmingly to a second term as governor in the [[2013 Chiba gubernatorial election|March 2013 election]] against only a Communist challenger and a minor, unaffiliated independent.

[[Chiba Prefectural Assembly|The assembly of Chiba Prefecture]]<ref>Chiba Prefecture: [https://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/gikai/ Assembly] {{in lang|ja}}</ref> has a regular membership of 95, elected in 45 electoral districts, currently still in the unified local election cycle of 1947 (last round [[2011 Japanese unified local elections|2011]]). As of July 2014, it is composed as follows: LDP 52 members, [[Democratic Party (Japan, 1998)|DPJ]] 13, [[Kōmeitō]] 7, [[Japanese Communist Party|JCP]] 4, Shimin Net/[[Social Democratic Party (Japan)|SDP]]/Independents 4, [[Your Party]] 3, four other caucuses with 5 members in total.<ref>Prefectural assembly: [https://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/gikai/giji/giin/kaihabetsu.html Members by caucus] {{in lang|ja}}</ref>

In the [[National Diet]], Chiba is represented by 13 members from single-member districts in the [[House of Representatives (Japan)|House of Representatives]], and six members (three at-large per election) in the [[House of Councillors]]. After the most recent Diet elections of 2010, 2012 and 2013, the prefecture is represented by eleven Liberal Democrats and two Democrats in the House of Representatives, and three Liberal Democrats, two Democrats, and one Your Party member in the House of Councillors. Current Diet members from Chiba include former prime minister [[Yoshihiko Noda]] (H.R., DPJ – 4th district) and former ministers [[Kuniko Inoguchi]] (H.C., LDP – class of 2010) and [[Motoo Hayashi]] (H.R., LDP – 10th district).

===Local government===
As of 2014, Chiba is divided into 54 contiguous [[Municipalities of Japan|municipalities]] (see list above): 37 cities, 16 towns and one village,<ref>Chiba Prefecture, [https://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/kensei/kennogoannnai/chiiki/shichouson/index.html Municipalities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929195815/https://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/kensei/kennogoannnai/chiiki/shichouson/index.html |date=2015-09-29 }}: [https://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/kouhou/ichiran.html List], [https://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/kouhou/map.html Map]</ref> as in all of postwar Japan each with a directly elected mayor and assembly. The most populous and Chiba's only [[Designated city|designated major city]] is the capital [[Chiba City]]. Two cities, Funabashi and Kashiwa, are [[Core cities of Japan|core cities]]. After late 20th century mergers, much of the rest of the prefecture is also organized in independent [[Cities of Japan|cities]]: Of the (today purely geographical) [[Counties of Japan|counties]], only six remain, four of which have only one or two remaining [[Towns of Japan|towns]] or [[Villages of Japan|villages]]. After the reorganization of county and municipal governments in all prefectures in 1889/1890, there had initially been 12 counties and no city in Chiba;<ref>[http://www.tt.rim.or.jp/~ishato/tiri/gun/map/1900/12tiba.htm Chiba's counties and cities in 1900] {{in lang|ja}}</ref> Chiba town in Chiba county became the first municipality in Chiba to be elevated to city status in 1921.

==Notable people==
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->
*[[Miri Ichika]] – gravure model and tarento
*[[Jun Ishikawa (composer)|Jun Ishikawa]] – composer
*[[Rioka Kanda]] - singer-songwriter, radio personality
*[[KOSEKI Aquila Raphael]]
*[[Yoshihiko Noda]] - politician, the 62nd Prime Minister of Japan 
*[[Yoshiko Sakakibara]] – voice actress
*[[Yuuri (singer-songwriter)|Yuuri]] – singer/songwriter
*[[Keita Sawa]]
*[[Kei Shindō]] – voice actress
*[[Hassei Takano]] – actor

==Police==
[[File:Chiba prefectural police headquarters,Chiba-city,Japan.JPG|thumb|Chiba police HQ]]
While by far not as large as that of neighbouring Tokyo, Chiba's police force is amongst the country's tenth largest at more than 10,000 members (including the Narita airport police). As in every prefecture, the police are supervised by the public safety commission; its five members are appointed by the governor with approval by the assembly.<ref>[http://www.police.pref.chiba.jp/ Chiba prefectural police] {{in lang|ja}}</ref><ref>[http://kouaniinkai.police.pref.chiba.jp/ Chiba prefectural public safety commission] {{in lang|ja}}</ref>

== International relations ==
Chiba Prefecture has a sister city relationship with:
*{{flagicon|US}} [[Wisconsin]], United States, since 1990<ref name="iw2006">{{cite web|url=http://international.wi.gov/SisterStates.html|title=Sister-States and Cities|access-date=2012-02-23|date=2010-02-04|publisher=International Wisconsin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204165758/http://international.wi.gov/SisterStates.html|archive-date=2010-02-04}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|UK}} [[Wellingborough, Northamptonshire]], United Kingdom
*{{flagicon|PER}} [[Juanjuí]], Peru
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Düsseldorf]], Germany, since 2019

==In popular culture==
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2013}}
*Films set in Chiba include ''[[The Eel (film)|The Eel]]'' (1997), winner of the [[Palme D'Or]]. Filming took place in [[Sawara, Chiba|Sawara]].
*Novels set in Chiba include: ''[[Neuromancer]]'' by [[William Gibson]] (set in [[Chiba, Chiba|Chiba City]]), ''[[Ningen Shikkaku]]'' by [[Osamu Dazai]] ([[Funabashi, Chiba|Funabashi]]), and ''[[Nogiku no Haka]]'' by [[Sachio Ito|Sachio Itō]] ([[Matsudo, Chiba|Matsudo]]).
*''[[Manga]]'' (comics) representations include: ''[[WataMote]]'', ''[[Be Free!]]'', ''[[Chameleon (manga)|Chameleon]]'', ''[[Kyō Kara Ore Wa!!]]'', ''[[Makuhari]]'' (set in [[Chiba, Chiba|Chiba city]]), ''[[Makuhari Saboten Campus]]'' ([[Chiba, Chiba|Chiba city]]), ''[[Susume!! Pirates]]'' and ''[[Urayasu Tekkin Kazoku]]'' ([[Urayasu, Chiba|Urayasu]]).
*''[[Anime]]'' (animation) representations include: ''[[The Family's Defensive Alliance]]'' (set in [[Funabashi, Chiba|Funabashi]]), ''[[Battle Programmer Shirase]]'' (Narashino), ''[[My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU]]'' and ''[[Zegapain]]'' ([[Urayasu, Chiba|Urayasu]]).
*TV series representations include: ''[[Kisarazu Cat's Eye]]'' (set in [[Kisarazu, Chiba|Kisarazu]]), ''[[Miotsukushi]]'' ([[Choshi, Chiba|Chōshi]]), ''Beach Boys'' (filmed in [[Tateyama, Chiba|Tateyama]] and [[Shirahama, Chiba|Shirahama]] (now [[Minamibōsō|Minamiboso]]) and ''[[Yappari Neko ga Suki]]'' ([[Chiba, Chiba|Chiba]]).

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Chiba prefecture}}
* {{wikivoyage-inline|Chiba (prefecture)}}
* [https://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/ Chiba Prefecture Official Website] {{in lang|ja}}
* [https://www.pref.chiba.lg.jp/english/index.html Chiba Prefecture Official Website] {{in lang|en}}

{{Chiba}}
{{Governors of Chiba Prefecture}}
{{Regions and administrative divisions of Japan}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:Chiba Prefecture| ]]
[[Category:Kantō region]]
[[Category:Prefectures of Japan]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1873]]
[[Category:1873 establishments in Japan]]