Introduction
The capital and largest city of Japan, Tokyo also ranks among the largest cities in the world. Long known as Edo, the city was chosen as the Japanese capital and renamed Tokyo in 1868. It has remained the site of the emperor's residence ever since. The name Tokyo means “eastern capital.”
Tokyo is at the head of Tokyo Bay on the Pacific coast of Japan's main island, Honshu. The expression “city of Tokyo” usually refers to the 23 sections that make up the city itself. In 1943, however, the city became part of the larger Tokyo metropolitan area, which includes rural regions and islands that stretch across hundreds of miles. This metropolitan area also includes three other major cities. Yokohama, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southwest of Tokyo, is the second-largest city in Japan. The industrial city of Kawasaki lies between Tokyo and Yokohama. Another industrial city, Chiba, is east of Tokyo.
Cityscape
Tokyo offers a fascinating mix of traditional Asian culture and modern Western influences. Steel and glass skyscrapers stand near simple wooden homes, and vendors sell noodles from carts outside of internationally known business and finance centers. Busy shopping centers, including the world-famous Ginza district, fade into side streets where handicrafts are sold. Tokyo is a densely populated city where the new and the old blend together—or give the appearance of chaos.
At the heart of the city is the Imperial Palace, the home of the emperor of Japan. The palace grounds include a sprawling complex of buildings, walls and moats, small bridges, and quiet gardens. National government buildings are clustered in the Kasumigaseki district, south of the palace. Among them are the National Diet (parliament) building and the prime minister's residence.
Culture
No other city in Japan can compete with Tokyo as a center of Japanese culture. The Tokyo metropolitan area contains a third of the universities in the country. It is also the focus of Japan's publishing industry, with the offices of many major daily newspapers. The city's numerous art galleries and museums include the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park, which features displays on the art of Japan and other parts of Asia. Ueno Park is also the site of the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Museum of Western Art, and the National Science Museum. Japan's leading musical organizations are based in Tokyo, including a number of symphony orchestras. The city's theaters present works ranging from traditional Kabuki to modern drama.
Economy
Many Japanese and international businesses have their headquarters in Tokyo. The country's stock exchange and the head offices of its major banks are in the city as well. In addition, Tokyo replaced Osaka as Japan's leading manufacturing city after World War II (1939–45). Printing, publishing, and the production of electronic equipment such as television sets and computers are major industries in the city. Heavy industries—such as oil refining and the production of metals, chemicals, and transportation equipment—are concentrated in Chiba, Kawasaki, and Yokohama.
History
Few people lived in the Tokyo area in ancient times. The site, then known as Edo, became popular only after the military leader Tokugawa Ieyasu established his headquarters at Edo Castle in 1590. The remains of this castle are now part of the Imperial Palace complex. By the early 17th century the Tokugawa family had established political power over Japan. Although the official capital was Kyoto, Edo soon became the country's center of power. As a result it grew rapidly. By the 18th century it was probably the largest city in the world.
In 1868 the last Tokugawa leader stepped down and the boy emperor Mutsuhito became leader of Japan. He took the name Meiji, and the years he ruled—from 1868 to 1912—became known as the Meiji era. The seat of the imperial government was officially moved from Kyoto to Edo, which was renamed Tokyo. During the Meiji era the city was greatly modernized. Western-style brick buildings were constructed, and railway networks were expanded. Tokyo became known as an industrial center. In 1923, however, an earthquake and fire destroyed much of the city. The damaged areas were rebuilt, but most of the city was destroyed again by bombs during World War II. By 1952 the city had largely recovered from the war.
Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1964, which led to further development of the city. Tokyo's first skyscrapers were built during this time. In the following decades Tokyo became known for its modern architecture and for its high cost of living. In 1995 the city faced another disaster when 12 people were killed and thousands injured in an attack on the Tokyo subway. A religious cult called Aum Shinrikyo claimed responsibility for releasing a poisonous gas into the subway system. Population (2000 estimate), 8,130,000.
