Named in memory of Hisashi Kimura (1870–1943), the first director of the International Latitude Observatory of Mizusawa {see planet  (7530)}. Serving in this capacity from 1899 to 1941, he was also director of the International Latitude Service from 1922 to 1934. In 1902 Kimura discovered the Z term of polar motion, the first astronomical clue for inferring physical states and processes in the earth’s deep interior, in particular at the core-mantle boundary. (M 34623) _ _.