towns of Akehama, Nomura, Shirokawa and Uwa (all from Higashiuwa District), and the town of Mikame (from Nishiuwa District). Government Seiyo has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 18 members. Seiyo contributes one member to the Ehime Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Ehime 4th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan. Economy The industrial base of Seiyo is weak and the economy is poor. In the past, the Uwa neighborhood (Unomachi) and the Nomura neighborhood were distribution points for rural goods, but due to poor transportation connection and rural depopulation, commerce has declined. The main economic activity is agriculture, with citrus fruits, rice and chestnuts are mainly cultivated. Animal husbandry (pigs, dairy cows, beef cattle) is also practiced. Education Seiyo has 12 public elementary schools and five public middle schools operated by the city government. The city has three public high schools operated by the Ehime Prefectural Board of Education, and the prefecture also operates two special education schools for the handicapped. Transportation Railways Shikoku Railway Company - Yosan Line - - - Highways Matsuyama Expressway Local attractions Kannon Spring Water In the former town of Uwa there is a natural spring, the water of which is known as . This water was designated as one of Japan's by the Ministry of the Environment in March 1985. Hiking trails along the spring's mountain rivers are a popular destination in the summertime. The spring is also used for , a Japanese cuisine where bundles of cold sōmen noodles are set into a stream of water that flows down a track, with hungry patrons waiting alongside. Otoi Sumo The former town of Nomura, now a part of Seiyo, holds an annual sumo competition for children and amateur adults known as the Tournament. It is held after the Kyushu basho and usually attracts a few professional sumo wrestlers. Castle Land A wealthy eccentric built a castle on the side of a mountain near the Nomura Dam in the former town of Nomura. It was originally a retreat for parties, complete with overnight lodging facilities. It never achieved any measure of popularity, and the owner eventually donated it to the city of Seiyo. It now lies uninhabited and largely unused. Museums Museum of Ehime History and Culture Kaimei School Shrine and temples Meiseki-ji, 43rd