Akashi, city in central Japan, on southwestern Honshu Island, in southern Hyogo Prefecture. Located on the Akashi Strait of the Inland Sea, Akashi is a transportation hub and a center for heavy industry, with steel and machinery plants. It has also developed as a commuter suburb of Kobe and Osaka, both large cities to the east of Akashi. The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge connects Kobe to Awaji Island via Akashi. With a center span of 1990.8 m (6531.5 ft), the Akashi Kaikyo is the world's longest suspension bridge. Since the standard meridian of Japan (longitude 135 degrees east) passes through the city, Japanese standard time is set at Akashi. Akashi Observatory is located in the city. During the Edo period (1603-1867) Akashi was a post station (a settlement catering to travelers) and castle town under the Matsudaira family, who were daimyo (feudal lords) under the ruling Tokugawa shogunate. Population 292,061 (1999).Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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