most likely theory. At the time of the founding of the city, the name was changed to Higashikurume in order to avoid being confused for Kurume, Fukuoka. Since the new name already had already existed since 1915 as the name of the local train station, the name was already familiar to residents and adopted quickly. Government Higashikurume has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 22 members. Higashikurume, collectively with the city of Kiyose, contributes two members to the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Tokyo 20th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan. The mayor is Katsumi Namiki, an independent candidate. City council The current city council was elected on April 26, 2015, with 21 council seats currently occupied. Former mayors Kenko Fujii (1970 - 1975) Masaji Ishidsu (1975 - 1978) Kojiro Ito (1978 - 1982) Saburo Yoshida (1982 - 1990) Mitsuo Inaba (1990 - 2001) Shiyega Nozaki (2002 - 2010) Kazuhiko Baba (2010 - 2014) Katsumi Namiki (2014 - ) Economy Higashikurume is primary a regional commercial center, and a bedroom community for central Tokyo. According to the 2010 census, the commuting rate to the special wards of Tokyo is 33.2%. Globeride has its headquarters and a factory in the city. Factories of Coca-Cola and Yamazaki Baking are also located in the city. A few attractions exist, such as Chukurin Park. Education Higashikurume is the site for Tokyo Gakugei University's International Student Dormitory. The city has two metropolitan high schools operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education: Higashikurume has 13 public elementary school, and seven public junior high schools operated by the city government. Municipal junior high schools: Chuo (中央中学校) Daimon (大門中学校) Higashi (東中学校) Kurume (久留米中学校) Minami (南中学校) Nishi (西中学校) Shimosato (下里中学校) Municipal elementary schools: No. 1 (第一小学校) No. 2 (第二小学校) No. 3 (第三小学校) No. 5 (第五小学校) No. 6 (第六小学校) No. 7 (第七小学校) No. 9 (第九小学校) Hommura (本村小学校) Koyama (小山小学校) Minamimachi (南町小学校) Shinho (神宝小学校) It is the location of two private schools: Christian Academy in Japan (K-12) and (coeducational elementary and separate gender junior and senior high schools). Transportation Railway - Seibu Railway, Seibu Ikebukuro Line Highway Musashino is not served by any national highways or expressways Notable people from Higashikurume Ken Akamatsu, manga artist (A.I. Love You, Love Hina, Negima! Magister Negi Magi and UQ Holder!) Akihiro