system on April 1, 1889. It was raised to city status on September 1, 1951. Government Akō has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 18 members. Akō contributes one member to the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Hyōgo 12th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan. Economy Akō has traditionally been famous for salt production was its main industry during the feudal period. Other industries are light manufacturing, commercial fishing, agriculture and tourism thanks to the story of the forty-seven rōnin, as featured in the Chūshingura. Education Akō has ten public elementary schools and five public middle schools operated by the city government and one public high schools operated by the Hyōgo Prefectural Department of Education. The prefecture also operates a special education school for the handicapped. The Kansai University of Social Welfare was founded in 1997 is also located in Akō. Transportation Railway JR West – San'yō Main Line JR West – Akō Line - - - Highways San'yō Expressway Sister City relations - Rockingham, Western Australia, Australia Local attractions Akō Castle, National Historic Site Akō Kaihin Koen (赤穂海浜公園) located on the east bank of the Chikusa river at its junction with Setonaikai is a complex of a facility which offers an experience of old-style salt production, camping sites, tennis courts, play grounds, ponds where rental boats are available, and a small zoo. Museums Akō Tabuchi Memorial Museum of Art (赤穂市立 田淵記念館) has on display a remarkable "Cha no yu (茶の湯)" exhibit. Akō City Museum of History (赤穂市立歴史博物館) built at the site of former rice granary collects, investigates, and exhibits historical materials related to the city of Akō, especially through the forty-seven rōnin and salt production. Local specialties Shiomi Manjū is a Japanese sweet. The outside shell is a little salty while the inside made of azuki paste is very sweet. It goes very well with (strong/bitter) green tea or coffee Festivals Akō Gishisai, held annually on December 14, in honor of Asano Naganori, the master of the forty-seven rōnin and the events of the Chushingura. On the day of the festival, all the elementary and middle schools in the city are off, and the students and pupils are encouraged to participate in one of the sports and art competitions including those in kendo, judo, and shodō, or