Annaka, Gunma
Geography. Annaka is located in the southwestern portion of Gunma Prefecture at the very northernmost point of the Kantō Plain, bordered by Nagano Prefecture to the west. The Usui Pass connects Annaka with neighboring Karuizawa, Nagano. Surrounding municipalities. Gunma Prefecture Nagano Prefecture Climate. Annaka has a Humid continental climate (Köppen "Cfa") characterized by warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Annaka is 13.9 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1227 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.3 °C, and  lowest in January, at around 2.5 °C. Demographics. Per Japanese census data, the population of Annaka has remained relatively steadily over the past 50 years. History. Annaka is located within traditional Kōzuke Province. During the Edo period, central Annaka was the "jōkamachi" of Annaka Domain, a feudal domain held by the Itakura clan under the Tokugawa shogunate. The area also prospered from its location on the Nakasendō highway connecting Edo with Kyoto. Post stations located within the borders of modern Annaka were: Itahana-shuku, Annaka-shuku, Matsuida-shuku and Sakamoto-shuku. Annaka Town was created within Usui District, Gunma  Prefecture on April 1, 1889, with the creation of the modern municipalities system after the Meiji Restoration. On March 1, 1955, Annaka merged with neighboring Haraichi, Isobe, and Itahana towns, and Higashiyokono, Iwanoya, Akima, and Gokan villages. It was raised to city status on November 1, 1958. On March 18, 2006, the town of Matsuida, merged with Annaka. Usui District was dissolved as a result of this merger. Government. Annaka has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 20 members. Annaka contributes two members to the Gunma Prefectural Assembly. In  terms of national politics, the city is part of Gunma 5th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan. Economy. Annaka is a regional commercial center and transportation hub. Toho Zinc operates a large plant in the city, as does Shin-Etsu Chemical. Education. Annaka has 12 public elementary schools and five public middle schools operated by the city government, and two public high schools operated by the Gunma Prefectural Board of Education. There is also one private combined middle/high school. Transportation. Railway. JR East – Hokuriku Shinkansen