 On 1 October 2002, Aomori was proclaimed a core city, granting it an increased level of local autonomy.On 1 April 2005, Aomori absorbed the town of Namioka to create the new and expanded city of Aomori; but lost a portion of Namioka to the town of Fujisaki (from Minamitsugaru District) on 1 September 2007.The original name of the Aomori was Utō, named for the , a seabird that is closely related to the puffin.