a unicameral city council of 16 members. Miki contributes one member to the Hyogo Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Hyōgo 4th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan. Economy Miki has had an industrial economy based on metalworking from the early Edo Period, and continues to promote itself nationwide as the main production area for hand tools and hardware. Agriculture, notably the growing of "Yamada Nishiki" brand rice and vineyards for the production of grapes is also important. The central and northern parts of the city have numerous golf courses and forest areas for recreation. The city is increasingly becoming a commuter town for Kobe and Osaka due to its proximity. Education Miki has 13 public elementary schools, six public middle schools and one combined elementary/middle school operated by the city government and four public high school operated by the Hyōgo Prefectural Department of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped. A private college, the Kansai University of International Studies, is located in Izumi. Transportation Railway Kobe Electric Railway (Shintetsu) – Ao Line - - - - - - Highway San'yō Expressway Chūgoku Expressway Maizuru-Wakasa Expressway Local attractions Miki Castle ruins, National Historic Site Ōmiya Hachiman Shrine Gaya-in, Buddhist temple with numerous National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties Sister city relations Visalia, California, USA Federation Council, New South Wales, Australia Notable people from Miki, Hyōgo Tsutomu Oosugi, Japanese professional wrestler Yuki Kadono, Japanese snowboarder (Slopestyle) Ōtsukasa Nobuhide, former sumo wrestler Takashi Shimizu, Japanese professional baseball player (Catcher) References External links Cities in Hyōgo Prefecture