One week to go: Meet Miyoshi, the host city of the IX WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup-Group B
The Women's Baseball Town is located in the Hiroshima Prefecture, about 60 kilometres, or 37 miles, from the capital city. The Miyoshi Kinsai Stadium, a 16,000-seat venue with artificial turf, will host all the games. The Mayor Satoshi Fukuoka welcomes the participants.
The city is almost in the middle of the Chugoku region, with the Chugoku Mountains north and a flat agricultural area south. The economy is mainly agricultural, with grapes and wineries predominant.
Miyoshi has a population of 49,106.
The Miyoshi area was part of the territory of the Hiroshima Domain in the XVII century. After the creation of the municipality system in 1889, the town of Miyoshi was established. It was raised to city status on 31 March 1954.
"Our town is rich in nature," commented Mayor Satoshi Fukuoka. "The three rivers meet in the central part of the city where in the autumn are shrouded in the magical fog, that is called Sea of fog."
Fukuoka added: "Miyoshi city has facilities such as the very first Yokai exhibition of Yumoto Koichi Memorial Japan Yokai museum, aka Mononoke museum, also has Hiroshima Intangible Folk Cultural Property, Miyoshi Ukai - Cormorant Fishing that has 450 years old historical memories.
The Mayor plans to treat the delegations to this traditional experience. The city has also prepared the interaction of the participating athletes with school children. "We hope they will have a great time," he commented.
The Miyoshi Kinsai Stadium is a 16,000-seat venue inaugurated on 25 April 2009. The field has artificial turf.
It hosts some games of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
In December 2020, the Women's Baseball Federation of Japan (WBFJ) recognized Miyoshi City the Women's Baseball Town.
"We have been working on attracting women's baseball training camps and tournaments and supporting female junior high school players. I strongly feel that this is not only due to the administration's power but also the local people's support," said the Mayor.
"We are very pleased that the IX Women's Baseball World Cup-Group B, presented by CARNEXT, will take place in Miyoshi City," said Fukuoka on a final note. "We will provide the most support so that each team can perform well and do their best to advance to the final stage. At the same time, through the slogan of Miyoshi in the World, we will promote our city internationally. Let me express my utmost gratitude to everyone involved in making this tournament a success."
