When mentioning Tokyo, almost everyone knows it. From the perspective of GDP, Tokyo's annual GDP exceeds one trillion dollars, making it the undisputed largest city in Asia, and globally, it is second only to New York.
In reality, the concept of Tokyo is somewhat complex. From an administrative division perspective, Tokyo's full name is "Tokyo Metropolis."
"Metropolis" is an administrative unit in Japan. After World War II, Japan's primary administrative units were divided into "Metropolis, Hokkaido, Prefectures, and Regions," specifically including the following:
- One Metropolis: Tokyo Metropolis
- One Region: Hokkaido
- Two Prefectures: Osaka Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture
- 43 Prefectures: including Aichi, Miyazaki, Akita, Nagano, Aomori, Nagasaki, Chiba, Nara, Fukui, Niigata, Fukuoka, Oita, Fukushima, Okayama, Gifu, Saga, Ehime, Okinawa, Gunma, Saitama, Hiroshima, Shiga, Hyogo, Shimane, Ibaraki, Shizuoka, Ishikawa, Tochigi, Iwate, Tokushima, Kagawa, Tottori, Kagoshima, Toyama, Kanagawa, Wakayama, Kochi, Yamagata, Kumamoto, Yamaguchi, Mie, Yamanashi, and Miyagi.
Although the names differ, in legal terms, the levels of Metropolis, Region, Prefecture, and County are the same, without any hierarchy.
Tokyo's official name is Tokyo Metropolis, with an administrative area of 2,194 square kilometers and a population of about 14 million.
The eastern part of Tokyo Metropolis, consisting of 23 special wards, is called the "Tokyo Ward Area," covering 628 square kilometers and having a population of about 10 million. This can be understood as the Tokyo urban area in a narrow sense.
In summary, although the concept of Tokyo is somewhat complex, its boundaries are relatively clear. Administratively, it refers to Tokyo Metropolis.
The urban area of Tokyo refers to the "Tokyo 23 Wards Area."
It is important to note that there is no concept of "Tokyo City" in Japan's administrative system. The Tokyo City system was abolished in 1943, and now there is only Tokyo Metropolis.
Additionally, the Japanese government has established the Tokyo Metropolitan Area centered around Tokyo, also known as the Greater Tokyo Area.
According to the Capital Region Development Law enacted by Japan in 1956, the Capital Region includes "one metropolis and seven prefectures," namely Tokyo Metropolis, Ibaraki Prefecture, Tochigi Prefecture, Saitama Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture, Kanagawa Prefecture, and Yamanashi Prefecture.
However, in traditional terms, the Greater Tokyo Area usually refers to "one metropolis and three prefectures," namely Tokyo Metropolis, Kanagawa Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture, and Saitama Prefecture.
The Greater Tokyo Area is the largest metropolitan area in the world today. The term "large" here does not refer to the area but to the city's scale, especially its population. The population of the one metropolis and three prefectures has reached 38 million.
For comparison, the area of Beijing is 16,400 square kilometers, which is 3,000 square kilometers larger than the entire Greater Tokyo Area (13,000 square kilometers), equivalent to three times the area of Hong Kong, but Beijing's population is only 22 million.
Thus, it can be seen that Tokyo Metropolis and its metropolitan area are very densely populated. Despite this, whether in the Tokyo urban area or the suburbs, detached houses can still be seen everywhere.
Given Tokyo's large population, the Japanese government has been encouraging young people to move to other cities or rural areas.
In all fairness, the distribution of education and medical resources across Japan is relatively balanced, but in terms of employment, Tokyo's advantage is unparalleled, even the largest city in Kansai, Osaka, cannot compare.
Currently, the population of Tokyo Metropolis and its urban area continues to grow, and the situation of "Small Japan, Big Tokyo" is expected to last for a long time.
Tokyo's predecessor was Edo. In 1603, Tokugawa Ieyasu established the shogunate in Edo, marking the beginning of the Edo period.
After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the Emperor moved the capital from Kyoto to Edo and renamed it Tokyo, meaning "Eastern Kyoto."
Tokyo suffered severe bombings during World War II, with many buildings destroyed. But post-war Tokyo quickly rebuilt and developed into one of the world's most important economic centers.
Tokyo boasts a rich history and cultural heritage, with modern skyscrapers complementing ancient shrines and temples.
Tokyo Tower, Skytree, Asakusa Temple, and Meiji Shrine are all famous tourist attractions.
As the capital of Japan, Tokyo is not only a political center but also an economic and financial hub.
The Tokyo Stock Exchange is the third largest in the world, after the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ.
Many multinational companies and financial institutions have their headquarters in Tokyo.
Tokyo's transportation system is very developed, with a vast subway and rail network making commuting within the city and surrounding areas very convenient.
The Shinkansen high-speed trains connect Tokyo with major cities in Japan, and Narita International Airport and Haneda Airport provide global air services.
Despite being a densely populated metropolis, the living environment in Tokyo is still very comfortable. Tokyo has a comprehensive range of service facilities, including shops, restaurants, hospitals, and schools.
There is also abundant urban greenery and parks, such as Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, and Yoyogi Park, offering great places for citizens to relax and entertain.
Housing options in Tokyo are diverse, from high-rise apartments to detached houses, catering to various preferences.
Despite high housing prices, many people still choose to settle in Tokyo because of the ample employment opportunities and high quality of life.
Tokyo's Future**
Looking ahead, Tokyo will continue to maintain its status as a global important city.
Tokyo will host the 2025 World Expo, bringing more development opportunities and international attention to the city.
The Japanese government is also continuously promoting urban renewal and infrastructure construction to address issues such as population aging and environmental concerns.
Overall, Tokyo is a vibrant and charming city, and its unique history, culture, and economic status make it one of the most attractive cities in the world.
Whether for living, working, or tourism, Tokyo Metropolis offers limitless possibilities.
Comments