Kamisu City is located in the southeastern part of Ibaraki Prefecture, within the Rokko region, and borders Chiba Prefecture. It is a coastal city that combines industrial development with abundant outdoor activity resources. The city officially gained city status in 2005 and, together with the neighboring city of Kashima, forms the Kashima Coastal Industrial Zone, one of Ibaraki's major economic centers.
Before the 1960s, Kamisu was primarily dependent on agriculture and fishing, and was considered a "landlocked island" with relatively slow development. However, with the launch of the "Kashima Development Plan," the area, centered around the Port of Kashima, gradually built a heavy chemical industry base focused on steel and petroleum. The taxes generated from these industries became a pillar of local finances, allowing Kamisu to maintain a self-sustaining economy. For this reason, Kamisu once opposed a broad-area merger with Kashima City, emphasizing the importance of preserving its independent financial base. However, the planned suspension of Japan Steel Works' blast furnace operations by the end of fiscal 2024 may present economic challenges to the area, raising concerns about population decline and economic downturn.
Regarding public safety, Kamisu had long drawn attention due to a relatively high number of recognized criminal offenses, despite having no police station for many years. It wasn’t until 2017 that a police station was officially established to improve public security.
In terms of tourism, the Hasaki area in Kamisu is known for outdoor sports, especially for its popularity as a location for soccer training camps. It is a favored destination for school teams and athletic organizations from across the country.
In 2003, Kamisu gained national media attention due to a case of organic arsenic contamination in the groundwater. It was initially suspected to be a remnant of World War II chemical weapons but was later determined by the Ministry of the Environment to be caused by illegally dumped industrial waste. Although the national government was not held responsible, Ibaraki Prefecture was found partially liable for its failure to promptly notify and respond to residents.
Kamisu City is a self-financed industrial city that emerged through rapid industrialization. It blends coastal resources, sports tourism, and urban functions but now faces the dual challenges of industrial transition and environmental protection.
