Editing Kansai region

{{redirect|Kansai|the airport|Kansai International Airport|the regional dialect of Japanese|Kansai dialect}}
{{Redirect|Kinki}}
{{Short description|Region of Japan}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name                            = Kansai region
| native_name                     = 関西地方
| native_name_lang                = ja
| official_name                   = 
| settlement_type                 = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| image_skyline                   = Kansai Region in Japan.svg
| image_alt                       = Map showing the Kansai region of Japan. It comprises the mid-west area of the island of Honshu.
| image_caption                   = The Kansai region in Japan
| image_map                       = {{Maplink|frame=yes|frame-align=center|plain=y|frame-width=255|frame-height=255|zoom=6|frame-lat=34.4|frame-long=135.7|type=shape-inverse|stroke-width=1|stroke-color=#333333|id=Q164256|title=Kansai region}}
| map_alt                         = 
| map_caption                     = 
| pushpin_map                     = 
| pushpin_label_position          = 
| pushpin_map_alt                 = 
| pushpin_map_caption             = 
| coordinates                     = 
| coor_pinpoint                   = 
| coordinates_footnotes           = 
| subdivision_type        = Country
| subdivision_name        = Japan
| unit_pref                       = Metric<!-- or US or UK -->
| area_footnotes                  = 
| area_total_km2                  = 33124.82
| area_land_km2                   = 
| area_water_km2                  = 
| area_water_percent              = 
| area_note                       = 
| elevation_footnotes             = 
| elevation_m                     = 
| population_footnotes            = <ref name=population>{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.go.jp/data/kokusei/2010/kihon1/pdf/gaiyou2.pdf |title=平成 22 年国勢調査の概要 |author=[[Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications]] Statistics Bureau |date=26 October 2011 |access-date=6 May 2012}}</ref>
| population_total                = 22757897
| population_as_of                = 1 October 2010
| population_density_km2          = auto
| population_est                  = 
| pop_est_as_of                   = 
| population_demonym              = [[Japanese people|Japanese]]
| population_note                 = 
| demographics_type1              = Gross Regional Product 
| demographics1_footnotes         = <ref name="esri.cao.go.jp">{{cite web|title=県民経済計算（平成23年度 - 令和２年度）（2008SNA、平成27年基準計数）＜47都道府県、4政令指定都市分＞|url=https://www.esri.cao.go.jp/jp/sna/data/data_list/kenmin/files/contents/main_2020.html}}</ref>
| demographics1_title1            = Total
| demographics1_info1   = [[Japanese yen|JP￥]]88.722 trillion<br />[[US$]]814 billion         
| timezone1                       = [[Japan Standard Time|JST]]
| utc_offset1                     = +9
| image_map1                      = Kinki-en.png
| map_caption1                    = Kansai region with prefectures
}}
The {{Nihongo|'''Kansai region'''|関西地方|Kansai Chihō|{{IPA|ja|kaꜜɰ̃.sai, kaɰ̃.sai tɕiꜜ.hoː||TomJ-KansaiRegion.ogg}}}} or the {{Nihongo|'''Kinki region'''|近畿地方|Kinki Chihō|{{IPA|ja|kʲiꜜŋ.ki, kʲiŋ.ki̥ tɕiꜜ.hoː}}}} lies in the southern-central region of [[Japan]]'s main island [[Honshu|Honshū]].<ref>Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Kansai" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|''Japan Encyclopedia'', p. 477|page=477}}.</ref> The region includes the [[Prefectures of Japan|prefectures]] of [[Nara Prefecture|Nara]], [[Wakayama Prefecture|Wakayama]], [[Kyoto Prefecture|Kyoto]], [[Osaka Prefecture|Osaka]], [[Hyōgo Prefecture|Hyōgo]] and [[Shiga Prefecture|Shiga]], often also [[Mie Prefecture|Mie]], sometimes [[Fukui Prefecture|Fukui]], [[Tokushima Prefecture|Tokushima]] and [[Tottori Prefecture|Tottori]]. The [[metropolitan region]] of [[Osaka]], [[Kobe]] and [[Kyoto]] ([[Keihanshin]] region) is the second-most populated in Japan after the [[Greater Tokyo Area]].

== Name ==
The terms {{nihongo|Kansai|[[wikt:関西|関西]]}}, {{nihongo|Kinki|[[wikt:近畿|近畿]]}}, and {{nihongo|[[Kinai]]|[[wikt:畿内|畿内]]}} have their roots during the [[Asuka period]]. When the [[old provinces of Japan]] were established, several provinces in the area around the then-capital [[Yamato Province]] were collectively named Kinai and Kinki, both roughly meaning "the neighbourhood of the capital".

Kansai (literally ''west of the tollgate'') in its original usage refers to the land west of the Osaka Tollgate ({{lang|ja|逢坂関}}), the border between [[Yamashiro Province]] and [[Ōmi Province]] (present-day [[Kyoto prefecture|Kyoto]] and [[Shiga prefecture|Shiga]] prefectures).<ref name="kojien_kansai">Entry for {{lang|ja-Hani|「関西」}}. [[Kōjien]], fifth edition, 1998, {{ISBN|4-00-080111-2}}</ref> During the [[Kamakura period]], this border was redefined to include [[Ōmi Province|Ōmi]] and [[Iga Province|Iga]] Provinces.<ref name="kojien_kansai"/> It is not until the [[Edo period]] that Kansai came to acquire its current form.<ref name="kojien_kamigata">Entry for {{lang|ja-Hani|「上方」}}. [[Kōjien]], fifth edition, 1998, {{ISBN|4-00-080111-2}}</ref> (''see [[Kamigata]]'')

While the use of the terms "Kansai" and "Kinki" have changed over history, in most modern contexts the use of the two terms is interchangeable. The term "Kinai", once synonymous with Kinki, now refers to the [[Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe|Kyoto–Osaka–Kobe]] (Keihanshin) area at the center of the Kansai region. Like all [[regions of Japan]], the Kansai region is not an administrative unit, but rather a cultural and historical one, which emerged much later during the [[Heian period]] after the expansion of Japan saw the development of the [[Kantō region]] to the east and the need to differentiate what was previously the center of Japan in Kansai emerged.

=== "Kinki" from an international perspective ===
The name "Kinki" is pronounced similarly to the English word "[[Kink (sexuality)|kinky]]", which means "twisted" or "[[Perversion|perverted]]". This has become a problem due to [[internationalization]], and some organizations have changed their name as a result.

In April 2016, {{nihongo|Kinki University|近畿大学|''Kinki Daigaku''}} changed its English name to [[Kindai University]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASJ4H62HGJ4HPTIL02B.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225204539/http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASJ4H62HGJ4HPTIL02B.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2021-02-25|title=「変態」大学おさらば 近大が英語名変更 でも直訳は…|publisher=朝日新聞デジタル 2016年4月24日|accessdate=2016-10-12}}朝日新聞デジタル (2016年4月24日). 2016年10月12日閲覧</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-05-21 |url=http://www.j-cast.com/2014/05/21205368.html?p=all |title=「変態」どころではない「過激な性的倒錯」と誤解も 近大が英語発音「キンキ（ー）」にビビった理由 |publisher=J-CASTニュース |accessdate=2016-10-12}}</ref> {{nihongo|''Keizai sangyō-kyoku''|経済産業局|Kinki Bureau of Economy}} uses "Kansai" in English notation, and {{nihongo|''Kinki Unyukyoku''|近畿運輸局|Kinki Transport Bureau}} also uses "Kansai" in English notation since 2015.<ref name="sankeiw150721">{{Cite web |date=2015-07-21 |url=http://www.sankei.com/west/news/150721/wst1507210086-n1.html |title=英語の「ｋｉｎｋｙ（変態の）」と間違えないで！ 「関西」へ名称変更 |publisher=産経WEST |accessdate=2016-10-12}}</ref> In addition, the {{nihongo|''Kinki shōkō kaigi-sho rengō-kai''|近畿商工会議所連合会|Kinki Chamber of Commerce and Industry Association}} changed its name to "Kansai Chamber of Commerce and Industry Association" on July 22, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.kinki.cci.or.jp/ |title=関西商工会議所連合会 |access-date=2022-05-04 |archive-date=2021-02-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226032229/http://www.kinki.cci.or.jp/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the fall of 2014, {{nihongo|''Kansai Keizai Rengōkai''|公益社団法人関西経済連合会|Kansai Economic Federation}} asked the government to unify the name of the local agency to "Kansai".<ref name="sankeiw150721" /> On June 28, 2003, the English name of the major private railway company [[Kintetsu Railway]] was changed from ''Kinki Nippon Railway Co., Ltd.'' to the official abbreviation Kintetsu Corporation. It was subsequently changed again to ''Kintetsu Railway Co., Ltd.'' on April 1, 2015.

==Overview==
[[File:Geofeatures map of Kansai Japan ja.svg|thumb|left|Geofeatures map of Kansai]]
[[File:Kansai Region Japan 2003.png|thumb|Kansai region, satellite photo]]
[[File:Akashi Bridge.JPG|thumb|left|The [[Akashi Kaikyō Bridge]], the longest suspension bridge in the world until 2022, with a centre span of 1,991&nbsp;m]]
The Kansai region is a cultural center and the historical heart of Japan, with 11% of the nation's land area and 22,757,897 residents as of 2010.<ref name=population /> The [[Osaka Plain]] with the cities of [[Osaka]] and [[Kyoto]] forms the core of the region. From there the Kansai area stretches west along the [[Seto Inland Sea]] towards [[Kobe]] and [[Himeji, Hyōgo|Himeji]], and east encompassing [[Lake Biwa]], Japan's largest freshwater lake. In the north, the region is bordered by the [[Sea of Japan]], to the south by the [[Kii Peninsula]] and the [[Pacific Ocean]], and to the east by the [[Ibuki Mountains]] and [[Ise Bay]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pref.mie.jp/ENGLISH/overview/e_p03.pdf |title=Mie Prefecture homepage: About Mie (pdf) |access-date=2008-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408215959/http://www.pref.mie.jp/ENGLISH/overview/e_p03.pdf |archive-date=2008-04-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Four of [[List of national parks of Japan|Japan's national parks]] lie within its borders, in whole or in part. The area also contains six of the seven top prefectures in terms of [[National Treasures of Japan|national treasure]]s.<ref name="kansai_now2">[http://www.kippo.or.jp/aboutkansai/eng/history_e02.html Kansai Now: History]{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, retrieved January 17, 2007</ref> Other geographical features include [[Amanohashidate]] in [[Kyoto Prefecture]] and [[Awaji Island]] in [[Hyōgo Prefecture|Hyōgo]].

The Kansai region is often compared with the [[Kantō region]], which lies to its east and consists primarily of [[Tokyo]] and the surrounding area. Whereas the Kantō region is symbolic of standardization throughout Japan, the Kansai region displays many more idiosyncrasies – the culture in [[Kyoto]], the mercantilism of [[Osaka]], the history of [[Nara, Nara|Nara]], or the cosmopolitanism of [[Kobe]] – and represents the focus of [[counterculture]] in Japan. This East-West rivalry has deep historical roots, particularly from the [[Edo period]]. With a samurai population of less than 1% the culture of the merchant city of Osaka stood in sharp contrast to that of [[Edo]], the seat of power for the [[Tokugawa shogunate]].<ref name="omusubi">[http://www.jpf.org.au/06_newsletter/hitokuchi_3new.pdf Omusubi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061214022535/http://www.jpf.org.au/06_newsletter/hitokuchi_3new.pdf |date=2006-12-14 }} – "Japan's Regional Diversity", retrieved January 22, 2007</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1105.html|title=Kansai Region Travel Guide - Kinki Region Travel Guide|website=www.japan-guide.com|language=en|access-date=2018-08-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.japan.go.jp/regions/kansai.html|title=Kansai - JapanGov|website=JapanGov|language=en|access-date=2018-08-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/japan/kansai|title=Kansai travel - Lonely Planet|last=Planet|first=Lonely|website=Lonely Planet|language=en|access-date=2018-08-13}}</ref>

Many characteristic traits of Kansai people descend from Osaka merchant culture. Catherine Maxwell, an editor for the newsletter ''[[Omusubi]]'', writes: "Kansai residents are seen as being pragmatic, entrepreneurial, down-to-earth and possessing a strong sense of humor. Kantō people, on the other hand, are perceived as more sophisticated, reserved and formal, in keeping with Tokyo's history and modern status as the nation's capital and largest metropolis."<ref name="omusubi"/><ref name="prime_living">[http://www.livingabroadin.com/Japan/japan_primeliving.html Livingabroadin.com] – "Prime Living Locations in Japan", retrieved January 22, 2007</ref>

Kansai is known for its food, especially Osaka, as supported by the saying {{nihongo|"Kyotoites are ruined by overspending on clothing, Osakans are ruined by overspending on food."|京の着倒れ、大阪の食い倒れ|Kyō no Kidaore, Ōsaka no Kuidaore }}. Popular Osakan dishes include [[takoyaki]], [[okonomiyaki]], [[Udon|kitsune udon]] and [[kushikatsu]]. Kyoto is considered a mecca of traditional [[Japanese cuisine]] like [[kaiseki]]. Kansai has many [[wagyu]] brands such as [[Kobe beef]] and [[Tajima cattle]] from Hyōgo, [[Matsusaka beef]] from Mie and [[Ōmi beef]] from Shiga. [[Sake]] is another specialty of the region, the areas of [[Nada-Gogō]] and [[Fushimi-ku, Kyoto|Fushimi]] produce 45% of all sake in Japan.<ref>[http://www.kippo.or.jp/culture_e/syoku/sakejijo/sakejijo1.html Kansai Window] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425210822/http://www.kippo.or.jp/culture_e/syoku/sakejijo/sakejijo1.html |date=2009-04-25 }} – "Japan's number one sake production", retrieved January 24, 2007</ref> As opposed to food from Eastern Japan, food in the Kansai area tends to be sweeter, and foods such as [[nattō]] tend to be less popular.<ref name="omusubi"/><ref name="prime_living"/>

The [[Japanese dialects|dialects]] of the people from the Kansai region, commonly called ''[[Kansai dialect|Kansai-ben]]'', have their own variations of pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. Kansai-ben is the group of dialects spoken in the Kansai area, but is often treated as a dialect in its own right.

Kansai is one of the most prosperous areas for baseball in Japan. Two [[Nippon Professional Baseball]] teams, [[Hanshin Tigers]] and [[Orix Buffaloes]], are based in Kansai. [[Koshien Stadium]], the home stadium of the Hanshin Tigers, is also famous for the [[High school baseball in Japan|nationwide high school baseball tournaments]]. In [[football (soccer)|association football]], the [[Kansai Soccer League]] was founded in 1966 and currently has 16 teams in two divisions. [[Cerezo Osaka]], [[Gamba Osaka]], and [[Vissel Kobe]] belong to [[J. League Division 1]] and [[Kyoto Sanga F.C.]] belongs to [[J. League Division 2]], the top professional leagues in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.japanvisitor.com/japan-travel/kansai-guide|title=Kansai {{!}} JapanVisitor Japan Travel Guide|website=www.japanvisitor.com|language=en|access-date=2018-08-13}}</ref>

==History==
[[Image:Gokishichido Seven Circuits Japan Map.png|thumb|left|Map of the provinces and circuits in 8th-century Japan]]

As a part of the {{lang|ja-latn|[[Ritsuryō]]}} reforms of the seventh and eighth centuries, the [[Old provinces of Japan|provinces]] of [[Yamato Province|Yamato]], [[Yamashiro Province|Yamashiro]], [[Kawachi Province|Kawachi]], [[Settsu Province|Settsu]], and [[Izumi Province|Izumi]] were established by the [[Gokishichidō]]. These provinces were collectively referred to as Kinai or Kinki.<ref>Nussbaum, "Kinai" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|p. 521|page=521}}.</ref>

[[Image:Himeji Castle The Keep Towers.jpg|thumb|right|Himeji Castle]]

The Kansai region lays claim to the earliest beginnings of Japanese civilization. It was [[Nara, Nara|Nara]], the most eastern point on the [[Silk Road]], that became the site of Japan's first permanent capital.<ref name="kansai_bh">[http://www.kankeiren.or.jp/English/brief-history.htm Kansai Economic Federation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206003617/http://www.kankeiren.or.jp/English/brief-history.htm |date=2009-02-06 }}: "Kansai Brief History", retrieved January 17, 2007</ref> This [[Nara period|period]] (AD 710–784) saw the spread of [[Buddhism]] to Japan and the construction of [[Tōdai-ji]] in 745. The Kansai region also boasts the [[Shinto]] religion's holiest shrine at [[Ise Shrine]] (built in 690 AD) in [[Mie prefecture]].<ref name="jr_ise_jingu">[http://www.jref.com/practical/ise_jingu.shtml Japan Reference] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927232650/http://www.jref.com/practical/ise_jingu.shtml |date=2011-09-27 }} – "Ise Jingu Guide", retrieved January 17, 2007</ref>

The [[Heian period]] saw the capital moved to [[Heian-kyō]] ({{lang|ja|平安京}}, present-day [[Kyoto]]), where it would remain for over a thousand years until the [[Meiji Restoration]]. During this golden age, the Kansai region would give birth to traditional Japanese culture. In 788, [[Saicho]], the founder of the [[Tendai]] sect of Buddhism established his monastery at [[Mount Hiei]] in [[Shiga prefecture]]. Japan's most famous tale, and some say the world's first novel, ''[[The Tale of Genji]]'' was penned by [[Murasaki Shikibu]] while performing as a [[lady-in-waiting]] in Heian-kyo. [[Noh]] and [[Kabuki]], Japan's traditional dramatic forms both saw their birth and evolution in Kyoto, while [[Bunraku]], Japanese puppet theater, is native to [[Osaka]].

[[Image:World Heritage Sites in Kansai(2008).PNG|thumb|right|World Heritage Sites in Kansai region]]

Kansai's unique position in Japanese history, plus the lack of damage from wars or natural disasters, has resulted in Kansai region having more UNESCO World Heritage Listings than any other region of Japan.<ref>[http://www.gojapango.com/travel/kansai.htm Kansai] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224230210/http://www.gojapango.com/travel/kansai.htm |date=2016-12-24 }}, retrieved 19 June 2012 – GoJapanGo</ref> The five [[World Heritage Site|World Heritage Listings]] include: [[Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area]], [[Himeji Castle]], [[Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)]], [[Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara]], and [[Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range]].<ref name="wh_sites">[https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/jp UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Japan], retrieved January 17, 2007 – Kiyomizu-Dera, Todai-ji, and Mount Koya are part of collections of sites and chosen as representative</ref>

== Demographics ==
Per Japanese census data,<ref>[http://www.citypopulation.de/Japan-Osaka.html Osaka 1995-2020 population statistics]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Japan Prefectures Population from 1920 and Area |url=http://www.demographia.com/db-japanpref.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306215213/http://www.demographia.com/db-japanpref.htm |archive-date=Mar 6, 2024 |website=Demographia}}</ref> Kansai region much like [[Keihanshin]] has experienced a small population increase beginning around 2010.

{{Historical populations
| 1920 |  9,212,000 
| 1930 | 11,015,000
| 1940 | 13,133,000
| 1950 | 13,118,000
| 1960 | 15,515,000
| 1970 | 18,944,000
| 1980 | 21,208,000
| 1990 | 22,206,000
| 2000 | 22,712,924
| 2010 | 22,757,897
| 2020 | 22,794,173
|align       = none
| footnote = 
}}

== Major cities ==

* [[Kobe]]: a designated city, the capital of [[Hyōgo Prefecture]]
* [[Kyoto]]: a designated city, the capital of [[Kyoto Prefecture]], formerly the Imperial [[capital of Japan]]
* [[Nara, Nara|Nara]]: a core city, the capital of [[Nara Prefecture]]
* [[Osaka]]: a [[Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan|designated city]], the capital of [[Osaka Prefecture]]
* [[Otsu, Shiga|Otsu]]: a core city, the capital of [[Shiga Prefecture]]
* [[Sakai, Osaka|Sakai]]: a designated city
* [[Tsu, Mie|Tsu]]: the capital of [[Mie Prefecture]]
* [[Wakayama, Wakayama|Wakayama]]: a [[Core cities of Japan|core city]], the capital of [[Wakayama Prefecture]]

=== Other cities ===
{{colbegin}}
* [[Amagasaki, Hyōgo]]: a [[Core cities of Japan|core city]]
* [[Akashi, Hyōgo]]: a core city
* [[Higashiōsaka, Osaka]]: a core city
* [[Himeji, Hyōgo]]: a core city
* [[Hirakata, Osaka]]: a core city
* [[Ibaraki, Osaka]]: a special city
* [[Kakogawa, Hyōgo]]: a special city
* [[Kishiwada, Osaka]]: a special city
* [[Neyagawa, Osaka]]: a core city
* [[Nishinomiya, Hyōgo]]: a core city
* [[Suita, Osaka]]: a special city
* [[Takarazuka, Hyōgo]]: a special city
* [[Takatsuki, Osaka]]: a core city
* [[Toyonaka, Osaka]]: a core city
* [[Yao, Osaka]]: a core city
* [[Yokkaichi, Mie]]: a special city


{{colend}}

==Education==

===International schools===
International schools have served expatriates in the Kansai region since 1909. Outside of Tokyo and Yokohama, Kansai has the largest number of international schools.

In 1909, [[Deutsche Schule Kobe/European School|Deutsche Schule Kobe]] was founded to serve German, Austrian and German-speaking Swiss expatriates, traders and missionaries living in the Kobe area.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://dskobe.org/about-us/school-history/|title=School History |work=DSK International|access-date=2018-11-28|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903042611/http://dskobe.org/about-us/school-history/|url-status=dead}}</ref> After a long history of teaching a German curriculum, the school changed to The Primary Years Programme (PYP) in 2002. It provides curriculum in three languages: German, English, and Japanese.

In 1913, Canadian Methodist Academy opened its doors to sixteen children.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.canacad.ac.jp/page.cfm?p=4320|title= History|website=Canadian Academy |access-date=2018-11-28|archive-date=2018-08-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821031742/https://www.canacad.ac.jp/page.cfm?p=4320|url-status=dead}}</ref> The school, renamed [[Canadian Academy]] in 1917, served children of missionary parents from grade one through high school and offered boarding facilities for students from throughout Asia. Today, the day and boarding school offers a PreK to Grade 12 education on the campus on [[Rokkō Island]], a human-made island. The school, which is no longer affiliated with Canada or the church, is the largest school for expatriates in Kansai. The school is approved by the Japanese Ministry of Education and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://directory.acswasc.org/directory-searchdetail.php|title=Directory of Schools {{!}} Accrediting Commission for Schools Western Association of Schools and Colleges|website=directory.acswasc.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-08-20|archive-date=2016-09-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920015948/http://directory.acswasc.org/directory-searchdetail.php|url-status=dead}}{{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/871080287 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/870959121 cite #2 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref> and the Council of International Schools.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cois.org/page.cfm?p=1884|title= Membership Directory|website=Council of International Schools |access-date=2018-08-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821031822/https://www.cois.org/page.cfm?p=1884 |archive-date= Aug 21, 2018 }} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/871080287 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/870959121 cite #3 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref> The school awards both the [[IB Diploma Programme|International Baccalaureate (IB)]] and U.S. high school diplomas.

The number of international schools burgeoned after World War II.

In 1946, St. Michael's International School was established by Anglican Bishop Michael Yashiro and Miss Leonora Lee, a British missionary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smis.org/index.php/about-smis|title=About|website=St. Michael's International School  |language=en-gb|access-date=2018-11-28|archive-date=2018-11-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129054326/https://www.smis.org/index.php/about-smis|url-status=dead}}</ref> Today, the school offers a distinctive British-style primary education based on the National Curriculum of England and Wales. The school has joint accreditation from the Council of International Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Brother Charles Fojoucyk and Brother Stephen Weber founded [[Marist Brothers International School]] in 1951 after communist authorities pressured them to leave Tientsin, China.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.marist.ac.jp/about-mbis/our-history/|title=Our History |website=Marist Brothers International School |language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-28|archive-date=2018-11-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129025827/http://www.marist.ac.jp/about-mbis/our-history/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Today, the international Montessori - Grade 12 school enrolls approximately 300 students. The school is accredited by the [[Western Association of Schools and Colleges]].

In 1957, a missionary homeschooled her son, his best friend and another student in their home. The next year, the home turned into Kyoto Christian Day School and a full-time teacher was hired.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.kis.ac.jp/about/history/|title=History - Kyoto International School|work=Kyoto International School|access-date=2018-11-28|language=en-US}}</ref> The school was renamed [[Kyoto International School]] in 1966. Today, the school serves students from two to fourteen years old. The school has been accredited by the [[Western Association of Schools and Colleges]] (WASC) since 1992 and authorized by the [[International Baccalaureate Organisation]] (IBO) since 2006.

Kansai is also served by [[Osaka International School]], [[Lycée français international de Kyoto]] as well as Chinese and Korean schools.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:NintokuTomb Aerial photograph 2007.jpg|[[Daisen Kofun]], the largest [[burial mound]] in the world<ref>[http://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jp/m08_01_09.htm Consulate-General of Japan in San Francisco] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213623/http://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jp/m08_01_09.htm |date=2016-03-03 }} - "History", retrieved March 15, 2007</ref>
File:Horyu-ji42s3200.jpg|[[Hōryū-ji]] Golden Hall, the oldest wooden structure in the world
File:TodaijiDaibutsu0224.jpg|[[Daibutsu]] at [[Tōdai-ji]], the largest bronze statue in the world
File:Tōdai-ji Kon-dō.jpg|[[Tōdai-ji]] Main Hall, until 1998 the largest wooden structure in the world
File:Biwa Lake.jpg|[[Lake Biwa]], the largest lake in Japan and one of the [[Ancient lake|oldest lakes]] in the world
File:Okuni with cross dressed as a samurai.jpg|[[Izumo no Okuni]], who founded [[Kabuki]] in Kyoto
File:Kongo Gumi workers in early 20th century.jpg|[[Kongō Gumi]], once the world's oldest continuously operating company, constructed several of Japan's cultural assets.
File:Amanohashidate view from Mt Moju02s3s4592.jpg|[[Amanohashidate]], one of [[Three Views of Japan]]
File:Sen no Rikyu JPN.jpg|[[Sen no Rikyū]], a merchant from Sakai, perfected the courtesy of the [[Japanese tea ceremony|tea ceremony]].
File:Toji - Five-storied Pagoda.JPG|Japan's tallest temple [[pagoda]] in [[Tō-ji]], Kyoto
File:Nintendo Headquarters - panoramio.jpg|[[Nintendo]] became the world's most successful [[video game]] company.
File:Osaka Castle Nishinomaru Garden April 2005.JPG|[[Osaka Castle]]
File:Kiyomizudera-Niomon-2017-Luka-Peternel.jpg|[[Kyoto]] from [[Kiyomizudera]]
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Geography of Japan]]
* [[Kansai Science City]]
* [[List of cities in Japan by population]]
* [[List of regions in Japan]]
* [[Ōban (Great Watch)]]
* [[Expo 2025 pavilions#Other pavilions|Osaka World Expo 2025 pavilions]]
* [[Pokémon Gold and Silver|''Pokémon Gold'' and ''Silver'']], which are set in the fictional Johto region, based on Kansai.
* [[Transport in Keihanshin]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==References==
* Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric and Käthe Roth. (2005). [https://books.google.com/books?id=p2QnPijAEmEC ''Japan encyclopedia.''] Cambridge: [[Harvard University Press]]. {{ISBN|978-0-674-01753-5}}; [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/58053128?referer=di&ht=edition OCLC 58053128]

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{wikivoyage|Kansai}}
* [http://www.visitkansai.com/ Visit Kansai travel guide]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20161004100011/http://kansainews.com/ Kansai News]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120121194902/http://www.kansai.gr.jp/e/index.html Kansai Window]
* [http://www.kankeiren.or.jp/English/ Kansai Economic Federation]
* [http://www.pref.mie.lg.jp/ENGLISH/index.htm Mie Prefecture official website] {{in lang|en}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071214190316/http://www.pref.nara.jp/english/index.html Nara Prefecture official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051109110518/http://www.pref.wakayama.lg.jp/english/ Wakayama Prefecture official website] {{in lang|en}}
* [http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/en/index.html Kyoto Prefecture official website] {{in lang|en}}
* [http://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/en/index.html Osaka Prefecture official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420020829/http://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/en/index.html |date=2015-04-20 }} {{in lang|en}}
* [http://web.pref.hyogo.lg.jp/fl/english/ Hyōgo Prefecture official website] {{in lang|en}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160821161345/http://www.pref.shiga.lg.jp/multilingual/english/index.html Shiga Prefecture official website] {{in lang|en}}

{{Regions and administrative divisions of Japan}}

{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:Kansai region| ]]