USA

city, Oita ken (prefecture), northern Kyushu, Japan; it lies 24 miles (39 km) northwest of the prefectural capital Oita. The city developed around the site of the first and most famous of shrines dedicated to the Shinto god Hachiman, Usa Hachiman Shrine, which dates to about 717724. An annual festival is held on March 18, and the Shinkosai festival, with a procession of portable shrines (mikoshi), is held from July 31 to August 2. Before World War II, Usa was known in the United States for its manufacture or distribution of products labeled made In Usa, in an apparent attempt to deceive those Americans avoiding Japanese goods. Today the city's industries turn out machinery, textiles, and rice products (such as ame, or rice jelly), and the region grows rice, vegetables, and mandarin oranges. Pop. (1990) 50,830.