HIRAKATA

city, northeastern Osaka fu (urban prefecture), Honshu, Japan, lying along the Yodo River. It prospered as a post station and river port between Kyoto and Osaka during the Tokugawa era (16031867). In the late 19th century the city declined, but it was revived by the opening of a railway (1910) between Kyoto and Osaka. Hirakata then developed as a residential suburb and educational centre, and industries producing textiles, metal products, machinery, and rolling stock gained importance. Pop. (1992 est.) 394,935.