Sakai

City on the island of Honshu, Japan, immediately to the south of Osaka, from which it is separated by the Yamato River; population (1994) 797,000. Industries include metallurgy, and the manufacture of appliances, chemicals, steel, and textiles.

By the Muromachi period (1339-1573), Sakai had already emerged as the chief port of Osaka Bay, and in the 16th century Sakai merchants were actively trading with China and Korea. Sakai's prosperity ended with the construction of Osaka castle in 1583, and the subsequent rise of Osaka as the chief commercial city in Japan. Since the 19th century, however, Sakai has grown as an important manufacturing centre.