Ehime prefecture, where this minor planet was discovered, is located on the island of Shikoku. It is well known for its fisheries and culture of mandarin oranges and pearls, as well as for Japan's oldest hot spring spa, “Dogo Onsen”. Ehime became a sister state of Hawaii in 2003.
Discovered on 27-2-1997 in Kuma Kogen by Nakamura, A.