This city, with the shortest name in the world, is now expanding its port facilities.

Formerly, it was known as one of the three ports with the name Tsu. In the time of Emperor Nintoku (a.d. 313-399) this city was called Anotsu. It developed as a port town, as did the other cities with that name: Bonotsu of the Satsuma Clan (Kagoshima Prefecture) and Hakatanotsu of the Chikuzen Clan (Fukuoka Prefecure). Presently, a project to develop the Niezaki beach area about 1 kilometer from the center of Tsu, is under way. The objective of this plan is to develop the area once again as a port with modern seaside recreational facilities and an access terminal to the Chubu International Airport, now under construction. Other projects, such as the Northern Chusei Science City, that explore the technology of the 21st century are under way.