Professional Documents
Culture Documents
However, the Pacific War, which broke out in 1941, had a great impact on Tokyo.
The dual administrative system of Tokyo-fu (prefecture) and Tokyo-shi (city) was
abolished for war-time efficiency, and the prefecture and city were merged to
form the Metropolis of Tokyo in 1943. The metropolitan administrative system
was thus established and a governor was appointed. In the final phase of the
war, Tokyo was bombed 102 times. The heaviest air raid was on March 10, 1945,
in which there was great loss of life and material damage. The war came to an
end on September 2, 1945, when the Japanese government and military
representatives signed the Instrument of Surrender. Much of Tokyo had been laid
waste by the bombings and by October 1945 the population had fallen to 3.49
million, half its level in 1940.
In May 1947 the new Constitution of Japan and the Local Autonomy Law took
effect, and Seiichiro Yasui was elected the first Governor of Tokyo by popular vote
under the new system. In August of that year, the present23 special-wardsystem
began in Tokyo Metropolis.
The 1950s were a time of gradual recovery for the nation. Television
broadcasting began in 1953, and Japan joined the United Nations in 1956.
Economic recovery was aided in particular by the special procurement boom
arising from the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950. This led to Japans entry
into a period of rapid economic growth in the 1960s. Due to technological
innovations and the introduction of new industries and technologies, this period
saw the beginning of mass production of synthetic fibers and household electric
appliances such as televisions, refrigerators, and washing machines. As a result,
the everyday lives of the residents of Tokyo underwent considerable
transformation. In 1962 the population of Tokyo broke the 10 million mark. In
1964 the Olympic Games were held in Tokyo, the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) line
began operations, and the Metropolitan Expressway was opened, forming the
foundation for Tokyos current prosperity.
Entering the 1970s, the strain of rapid economic growth became apparent as the
country was beset by environmental issues such as pollution of the air and
rivers, as well as high levels of noise. The Oil Crisis of 1973 brought the many
years of rapid economic growth to a halt.
In the 1980s, Tokyo took large steps in economic growth as a result of its
increasingly global economic activity and the emergence of the information
society. Tokyo became one of the worlds most active major cities, boasting
attractions such as cutting-edge technology, information, culture, and fashion, as
well as a high level of public safety. From 1986 onwards, land and stock prices
spiraled upwards, a phenomenon known as the bubble economy.
Japan enjoyed tremendous growth under the bubble economy, but with the burst
of the bubble at the beginning of the 1990s, sinking tax revenues caused by the
protracted economic slump led to a critical state in metropolitan finances. Tokyo
was, however, able to overcome this financial crisis through two successive fiscal
reconstruction programs. The population also started returning to Tokyo, and in
1997, in-migration exceeded out-migration for the first time in 12 years. In 2001,
Tokyos population reached 12 million, and surpassed 13 million in 2010.
In March 2011 the Great East Japan Earthquake struck the Tohoku region, and
Tokyo was also seriously affected. Using the experiences gained from this
disaster, Tokyo is devoting efforts to further strengthening its crisis management
system.
In September 2013, Tokyo was selected to host its second Olympic and
Paralympic Games in 2020. To make the 2020 Games the best ever and leave
valuable legacies for the future, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is working to
advance both tangible and intangible initiatives including infrastructure
upgrades, measures for the environment, and the promotion of culture.
Tokyos population is projected to start declining once it reaches its peak in 2020.
Also taking into consideration changes to the structure of society such as the
graying of the population, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is pushing toward
its goal of becoming the worlds best city where a balance between economic
affluence and the quality of life is achieved and anyone can fully enjoy life.
History of Tokyo.
16
03
16
57
16
74
17
18
17
21
17
22
18
54
Treaty of Peace and Amity between Japan and the U.S. concluded (Japan ends
seclusion policy).
18
67
Tokugawa Yoshinobu, last shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate, resigns and returns
governing power to the Emperor.
18
68
18
72
18
77
18
79
18
82
18
85
18
88
18
89
Constitution of the Empire of Japan promulgated. Tokyo City and 15 wards established.
18
93
18
94
19
04
19
14
19
20
19
23
Great Kanto Earthquake claims the lives of around 140,000 people and destroys about
300,000 houses.
19
25
19
27
19
31
19
35
Tokyos resident population reaches 6.36 million (almost the same as New York City
and London).
19
41
19
43
19
45
March 10: Tokyo hit by heaviest air raid since beginning of war.
Pacific War ends.
Tokyos population drops to 3.49 million (half of 1940 levels).
19
47
19
51
19
53
19
56
19
59
19
62
19
64
19
67
19
68
19
69
19
73
19
75
19
79
19
82
19
91
19
93
19
95
19
97
19
99
20
00
20
01
20
03
20
05
20
06
20
07
20
08
20
10
Haneda Airport puts new runway and international terminal into service.
20
11
20
12
20
13
20
14
20
15
The 23 special-ward area is the political, economic, and cultural hub of Japan.
Government offices, corporations, and commercial facilities are concentrated in
the heart of Tokyo, and the transportation network is well developed. The bay
area is a transportation and logistics hub, with regional transportation
infrastructure that includes a major international airport and port. Cultural
facilities such as museums and art galleries, as well as sightseeing and
entertainment facilities, are located in the 23 special-ward area, making it an
area bustling with large numbers of visitors.
The Tama Area
The Tama area covers about 1,160 square kilometers. Its population is 4.22
milliona population density of about 3,640 persons per square kilometeras of
October 1, 2015.
This area is urbanized as it is adjacent to the ward area, but also has a beautiful
natural environment including lakes, rivers, and green areas. Moreover, strong
industrial capability and rich human resources made available through the
concentration of universities, high-tech industries, and research institutes, make
this area a region with high potential. The Tama area has an important position
within not only Tokyo Metropolis, but the entire Greater Tokyo Area as well.
The Islands
The islands have a total area of about 404 square kilometers. The island
population is continuing to fall and currently stands at 26,000 (as of October 1,
2015), with a population density of 65 persons per square kilometer.
This region has a rich natural environment abundant with marine resources, and
the islands also play an important national role in securing a vast exclusive
economic zone. They have a diverse and remarkable natural environment, as
well as a unique historical and cultural background, and are precious assets
providing valuable healing spaces for visitors. On the other hand, the islands
face challenges such as improving living conditions through development of the
marine and air transportation network and medical care, a declining and aging
population, and sluggish agriculture, fisheries, and tourism industries.
Administrative Areas of Tokyo
Population of Tokyo
Population Summary
As of October 1, 2015, the population of Tokyo is estimated to be 13.491 million, or about
11% of Japans total population, and it has the largest population among all the 47
prefectures.
At 2,191 square kilometers, the area of Tokyo is 0.6% of the total area of Japan. With a
population density of 6,158 persons per square kilometer, Tokyo is the most densely
populated prefecture in Japan.
The ward area is home to 9.241 million persons, the Tama area, 4.223 million, and the
Islands, 26,000.
Tokyo has 6.946 million households, with an average 1.94 persons per household. The
number of foreign residents according to the basic resident register is 440,000 as of
October 1, 2015.
Trends in Population in Tokyo
Sources:
Statistics Division, Bureau of General Affairs, TMG; Population of Tokyo (estimates)
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications; Population Census
Population Change
The population migration between Tokyo and other prefectures in 2014 showed 405,000
persons moving into Tokyo while 331,000 persons moved out, for a net social increase of
73,000 persons.
With the exception of 1985, there was a prevailing trend of out-migration exceeding inmigration since 1967, until a net social increase was seen for the first time in 12 years in
1997. 2014 again showed a net increase.
Looking at the migration between Tokyo and the three adjacent prefectures (Saitama,
Chiba, and Kanagawa prefectures), 181,000 people came into Tokyo while 172,000 moved
out.
Following the peak net natural increase of 182,000 in 1968, Tokyo experienced a slowing
of population growth and marked its first population decline in 2012. During 2014, there
was a net natural decrease of 125, with about 111,000 births and 111,000 deaths.
The denominators (total population) from 1995 to 2005 used to calculate the percentages include persons
of unknown age.
Both daytime and nighttime populations exclude persons whose ages are unknown.
Source:Statistics Division, Bureau of General Affairs, TMG; Daytime Population in Tokyo
Source:
The figures indicate the number of workers who live in neighboring prefectures and commute into Tokyo.
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications; Population Census
providing services closer to the everyday lives of local residents. This integrated process is
distinguished by the following elements.
Management of Services
Firefighting Services, Waterworks
Firefighting services and waterworks are affairs that are generally designated under law as
municipal services. In the Tokyo Metropolis, however, from the view that these services can
be handled more efficiently on a broader scale and such an approach would also serve to
lessen the financial burden, the metropolitan government provides all of these services
except in certain municipalities.
Joint Operations
As with the aforementioned operations, for services that can be handled with greater
effectiveness and efficiency on a regional basis, the related municipalities establish
cooperatives and regional associations serving as special local public entities, based on the
stipulations of the Local Autonomy Act.
The number of such cooperatives in the municipalities is 29 and they manage a broad range
of affairs, which include the establishment and management of waste disposal sites and
incineration plants, the operation of public hospitals, and profit-making projects.
There is currently one regional association made up of all the metropolitan municipalities
and wards, which handles the administrative affairs of the medical care system for the
elderly.
Tokyo, 1898.
In Japans headlong rush toward modernization, Tokyo led the metamorphosis the
whole of the nation underwent within only a few decades. For the foreign expatriate,
the city represented a modern landscape of trading opportunities and exploitation.
For the typical Tokyo-ite, and any out-country Japanese visiting the new capital, it
was metropolis wonderland of many marvelous and wonderful new creations and
adapted ideas.
Tokyo was a city of over a million during the latter Tokugawa period. There was
initially a decline in the population of the new capital due primarily to
daimyo [provincial lords] no longer being required to keep family members and
retainers in the capital as virtual hostages of the Shogun. An 1877 census, the first
taken by the Meiji government, found Tokyos population to be only 583,300
persons. That number more than doubled within a decade. By 1941, on the eve of the
Pacific War, the population had grown to more than 6 million people, making it the
third most populated city in the world.
That number more than doubled within a decade. By 1941, on the eve of the Pacific
War, the population had grown to more than 6 million people, making it the third
most populated city in the world.
Tokyo, 1941.
In 1932, the metropolitan Greater Tokyo was established with the incorporation of
82 additional rural and suburban towns and villages, including the old suburban post
towns of Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Meguro, into the original Tokyo-ken.
The ku within the city-proper also increased then from 15 to 35. Greater Tokyo, in
1943, was reconstituted into the now-familiar Tokyo-to [Tokyo metropolis] with the
formal political merger of Tokyo City into Tokyo Prefecture, at which time the
number of city wards was reduced to the current 23 ku. Present-day Tokyo-to is
made up of 23 wards, 26 cities, and 5 districts/sub-prefectures that stretch west from
Tokyo Bay to the foothills of the Japan Alps.
Tokyo today bears little resemblance to the city it was 100 years ago. Fire,
earthquakes and war have done little to dampen the citys spirit but have resulted in
great changes to its urban landscape. Now a metropolis of steel and glass skyscrapers
(and acres of dour gray ferro-concrete), little remains of the city that welcomed in the
20th century as a young, vibrant capital experimenting with new forms, fusions and
shapes of urban architecture amidst a rush of profound social change.