Nakama (中間市; -shi) is a city located in Fukuoka, Japan.

As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 47,375 and the density of 2,964.64 persons per km². The total area is 15.98 km².

The city was founded on November 1, 1958. It was soon to cease to exist, becoming a ward of Kitakyushu which was to be called Nakama-ku, Kitakyushu. However, on Christmas Eve 2004 Nakama city's councillors rejected the merger plan, despite it having been proposed by Nakama initially. The reason is that the 21 councillors will be reduced to three when the merger takes place, throwing the remaining 18 out of work.

A recent poll (December 2004) stated that 70% of the citizens of Nakama were in favour of the city being absorbed into Kitakyushu. Nevertheless the councillors claim that they are rejecting the merger for the good of the city.

External links

• Official website in Japanese