Asian Network of Major Cities 21

Tokyo has a 400-year history as the capital of Japan that started at the beginning of the Edo period. During this time, it suffered from earthquakes and war, but in the postwar period it was the driving force behind Japan's miraculous economic growth. Today, about 12 million people, nearly 10 percent of the nation's population, live, work, rest and learn in Tokyo. Tokyo has advanced in all fields, such as politics, economy and culture, and is the center of Japan's economy and society. On the other hand, urban problems, for example, decline of business vitality, chronic traffic congestion and aggravation of the environment, are all setbacks for Tokyo. Now the city has been set the task to realize that Tokyo is vibrant and appealing, where people, goods, and information interact in a global city that boasts a great numbers of residents and visitors.

Total area：　2,187.42km²

Natural environment：　 Tokyo is situated in the southwest of the Kanto plain. Strong seasonal winds blow during winter across the Kanto plain and the climate is dry, contrasting with the hot and humid weather of the summer.

Climate / annual average temperature / annual average precipitation ：　 16.7ºC / 1,294.5mm (2002)

Urban problems ：　 Preparing for the aging of society / Promoting anti-earthquake measure / Formation of a recycling type of society in harmony with the environment / Development of Urban policies that will eliminate overcrowding, relieve congestion, and promote proximity between homes and workplaces / The promotion of industry and society that will provide vitality to the Tokyo Metropolis

Urban planning：　 In order to showcase the possibilities and potentials of a mature city to the world, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government released "Tokyo's Big change ～The 10-Year Plan～" in December 2006.

Ethnicity and language(s) ：　Japanese / Japanese

Population(2009)：　12,990,000

Outline：Today, Tokyo is the capital and largest city of Japan, where about 12 million people, nearly 10 percent of the nation’s population, live, work, rest and learn. Tokyo has already grown up into a major center of international finance and information comparable with New York and London, and one of the international cities which play major roles in the world.

Major industry and main produce ：　financial, inormation, and services industry