is a city located in southern Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. It is the southernmost city in the prefecture and it is named after the Kizu River, a tributary of the Yodo River, which runs through the city. Kizugawa City is a part of the Kansai Science City project and houses research facilities of several corporations, including Rohto Pharmaceutical and Omron. the city has an estimated population of 79,171. Kizugawa City is one of the few municipalities in Japan with a growing population. In a population estimate released by the Japan Policy Council, Kizugawa City is the only municipality in Kyoto Prefecture predicted to have a positive population growth rate by 2040. History The modern city was established on March 12, 2007, from the merger of the towns of Kamo, Kizu and Yamashiro (all from Sōraku District). In the Nara period, Emperor Shōmu moved the capital from Heijō-kyō to Kuni-kyō, which was located on Kizugawa City's ground. Kuni-kyō served as the capital for 5 years from 740 to 744. Its ruins can be found in Kamo area. Now, Kizugawa City is a part of the national Kansai Science City project. Geography Kizugawa City is located on the southern border of Kyoto Prefecture. The Kizu River, from which the city inherits its name, runs through the city. Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Kizugawa has grown in recent decades. Business Kansai Science City and Enterprises Being a part of the Kansai Science City project, Kizugawa City houses over 20 enterprises and research facilities including: Rohto Pharmaceutical (ロート製薬) Omron (オムロン) Sekisui House (積水ハウス) Fukujyuen (福寿園) Ataka Daiki Engineering (アタカ大機) Tatsuta Electric Wire Cable Co. (タツタ電線) M-system (エム・システム) Manyo Tools (マンヨーツール) Mizuho Co. (株式会社ミズホ) Solno Leaves Co. (ソルノリーブス) Kyoto Press Industrial Co. (京都プレス工業) Also, Doshisha University Gakkentoshi Campus(学研都市キャンパス), which focuses on graduate studies in biomedicine, and Doshisha International School, Kyoto (DISK) are also located in Kizugawa City. Other public and private research organizations in Kizugawa City include: International Institute for Advanced Studies (IIAS, 国際高等研究所) Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE, 地球環境産業技術研究機構) Japan Atomic Energy Agency Kansai Photochemistry Research Center (日本原子力研究開発機構 関西光化学研究所) Transportation Kizugawa City serves as a commuter town for Osaka City, Kyoto City, and Nara City. Osaka City and Kyoto City are both within an hour by car or train, and Nara City is reachable in 15 minutes. Kizugawa city currently have JR and Kintetsu railways running through the