Named in honor of Minewo Nishiyama (b. 1925), amateur astronomer and president of the Chikushi Astronomical Association from 1944 to 1947. Beginning in 1944 and under the direction of H. Hirose, Nishiyama was the first amateur in Japan to make orbital calculations on minor planets. More recently he has studied the astronomical histories of Asian countries, particularly the old Burmese constellations. Name proposed by the discoverers following a suggestion from H. Oishi.