fukuoka prefecture
According to Ayu's official stats, she was born in Fukuoka Prefecture. A prefecture is a district governed by a prefect (a high civil official, as I understand it). Fukuoka Prefecture is located on the island Kyushu, and its capital, Fukuoka, is the largest city on the island.
(original map from Nationmaster.com; edited slightly and labeled by me)
Thanks to active government and private support, Fukuoka has become an industrial power in Western Japan with a thriving urban community to boot. However, even before such a booming industry was established, Fukuoka Prefecture flourished as hub for trade with the world. Today, although the district is proving to be an industrial establishment worthy note, it continues to host international affairs, including the Asian-Pacific Region Office of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements in 1997, and the 30th General Meeting of the Asian Development Bank held that same year.
Economic success aside, Fukuoka Prefecture is hardly lacking in rich culture. It is home to several festivals -- notably the Hakata Gion Yamakasa. This festival is held annually from July 1st to 15th at the Kushida Shrine in the capital city. It has been practiced for over 750 years and is considered an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. Ayu's song "theme of a-nation '03" is an account of visiting a summer festival as a child, and it could very well have been one such as Hakata Gion Yamakasa.
Like all prefectures in Japan, Fukuoka has a distinct symbol to differentiate it from the rest:
I have yet to find an official explanation as to why it was chosen, but my first guess would be that it has something to do with its roots as a hub for international trade -- a place that links the world together.
The Fukuoka Prefecture claims to be the birthplace of several other great Japanese artists such as MISIA and Shiina Ringo.
