FUKUOKA  , a

town on the north-west coast of the island of Kiushiu, Japan, in the province of Chikuzen, 90 m . N.N.E. of Nagasaki by rail . Pop. about 72,000 . With Hakata, on the opposite side of a small coast stream, it forms a large centre of population, with an increasing export trade and several local industries . Of these the most important is silk-weaving, and Hakata especially is noted for its durable silk fabrics . Fukuoka was formerly the residence of the powerful daimio of Chikuzen, and played a conspicuous part in the medieval history of Japan; the renowned temple of Yeiyas in the district was destroyed by fire during the revolution of 1868 . There are several other places of this name in Japan, the most important being Fukuoka in the province of Mutsu, North Nippon, a railway station on the main line from Tokyo to Aimori Ura Bay . Pop. about 5000 .