Fukushimaken (prefecture), northeastern Honshu, Japan, facing the Pacific Ocean. It is mostly mountainous, and settlement is concentrated in small interior basins and along the coast. Inawashiro Lake, 40 square miles (100 square km) in area, occupies the centre of the ken. Fukushima ken contains the southern extension prefecture. The southeastern portion of Bandai-Asahi National Park is in the northwestern corner of the prefecture, the park encompassing the region of the volcanic Bandai and Azuma mountains. The lower volcano slopes are dotted with lakes and swamps, many of which were formed by the eruption of Mount Bandai in 1888. Numerous spas serve the area.

Fukushima ken prefecture is essentially agricultural, producing rice surpluses and such cash crops as tobacco, mulberry (silk), fruits, grains, and vegetables that are resistant to low temperatures. Forestry and fishing and the gathering of seaweed in coastal towns cities such as Hisanohama Iwaki in the southeast are also important. Coal mining is carried on was important at the Jōban coalfield near Kōriyama city(now part of Iwaki) southeast of Kōriyama until production was discontinued in the late 20th century. Industry is concentrated in a few cities such as Fukushima , (the prefectural capital), Iwaki, and Kōriyama; cameras, silk and rayon yarn, silk textiles, fruits, bonsai trees, and kokeshi dolls are produced.

On March 11, 2011, the prefecture was struck by a severe earthquake (magnitude 9.0) centred offshore to the northeast in the Pacific. Although the temblor and a series of aftershocks caused some damage, considerably more destruction was done by a powerful tsunami, generated by the main shock, that inundated coastal areas. Particularly hard-hit were Iwaki and nuclear power stations located along the prefecture’s northeast coast. In addition to the considerable property damage in the affected areas, thousands of people were killed by the tsunami or were missing and presumed dead. Area 5,321 square miles (13,782 square km). Pop. (20052010 prelim.) 2,091028,319752.