eighteen members. Hashimoto contributes three members to the Wakayama Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Wakayama 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan. Economy The mainstay of the local economy is horticulture, especially that of Japanese persimmons and Japanese pears, as well as the poultry industry. The area has traditionally been known for its Japanese white crucian carp fish farms and its textiles. As the only city in Wakayama prefecture that is included in the Osaka metropolitan area (in terms of urban employment), there are an increasing number of commuters, gradually transforming the area into a bedroom community. Education Hashimoto has fifteen public elementary schools and five public middle schools operated by the city government, in addition to two public high schools and two combined public middle/high schools operated by the Wakayama Prefectural Department of Education. The city also has one private middle school and one private high school. The city also has one private combined elementary/middle school and one private combined middle/high school. Transportation Railway JR West – Wakayama Line - - - - Nankai Electric Railway – Nankai Kōya Line - - - - - Highway Keinawa Expressway Notable people from Hashimoto Masaru Furukawa, swimmer Hideko Maehata, breaststroke swimmer Junpei Mizobata, actor Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, baseball player References External links Hashimoto City official website Cities in Wakayama Prefecture