Named in memory of Okuro Oikawa (1896–1980), who joined the staff of the Tokyo Astronomical Observatory while the new observatory at Mitaka {see planet  (1088)} was under construction. The Brashear {see planet  (5502)} astrograph used at the original Azabu {see planet  (3290)} site by S. Hirayama when he made the 1900 prediscovery observations of the objects later named (498) Tokio and (727) Nipponia was also moved to Mitaka, and Oikawa used it to discover eight numbered and seven unnumbered minor planets during 1926–1930. (M 27329) _ _.