founded by the merger of the villages of Kurikuma and Tomikuma in 1951. The former Hanzan was founded in 1956 with the merger of the villages of Sakamoto and Hokunji. Government Marugame has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 24 members. Marugame, together with Naoshima, contributes four members to the Ehime Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is divided between the Kagawa 2nd district and Kagawa 3rd districts of the lower house of the Diet of Japan. List of mayors of Marugame (from 1899 to present) Economy Marugame has a mixed economy centered on agriculture (rice, vegetables, chicken, peaches) and manufacturing along a coastal belt of reclaimed land which contain a number of industrial parks, textile plants and shipyards. Traditionally, the city was noted for its production of uchiwa fans, claiming a 90% market share; however, due to mechanization and changes in fashion, only two workshops are left in the city. Due to its well-developed transportation network, industry is expanding, and the city is increasingly becoming a commuter town for neighboring Takamatsu. Education Marugame has 18 public elementary schools and eight public middle schools operated by the city government, and four public high schools operated by the Ehime Prefectural Board of Education. In addition, there are one private middle school, two private high schools and two correspondence high schools. The prefecture also operates one middle school, and one high school. Transportation Railways JR Shikoku - Yosan Line - Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad - Kotohira Line - Highways Takamatsu Expressway Sister city relations - Donostia - San Sebastián, Spain, sionce November 6, 1990 - Zhangjiagang. Jiangsu, China, friendship city since May 28, 1990 Local attractions Marugame Castle, NationalHistoric Site and one of only 12 Japanese castles with original wooden tenshu (keeps) remaining. Kaitenyama Kofun, NationalHistoric Site Shiwaku Kinbansho, NationalHistoric Site Marugame Genichiro-Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art (MIMOCA), situated just east of the railway station, housing the works of Genichiro Inokuma, as well as playing host to many large visiting exhibitions. Reoma World, a recreational facility with many attractions, two restaurants, a spa and hotel in the theme park Events Marugame Half Marathon - Occurring in early February, the race attracts thousands of runners each year. Held since 1947, the Asian record in the half marathon was set on the course by Kayoko Fukushi in 2006. Noted people from Marugame