Tokyo

Tokyo is the capital city of Japan, located on the eastern coast of Honshu island facing Tokyo Bay. It serves as the country's political, economic and cultural centre and is the seat of the Japanese government, including the National Diet and the Imperial Palace. The Greater Tokyo Area is the world's most populous metropolitan region, with tens of millions of residents, and the city proper is one of Japan's 47 prefectures administered as a special metropolis. Tokyo is a global financial hub, home to the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Bank of Japan, and hosts the headquarters of major corporations spanning electronics, automotive, finance and retail. The city anchors Japan's role in advanced manufacturing, technology and trade, including sectors such as electric vehicles, precision instruments and critical minerals processing. It is a leading centre for research, innovation and international business, connected globally through Narita and Haneda airports. Tokyo has repeatedly hosted major international events, including the 2020 Summer Olympics, underscoring its global standing. Politically, decisions and statements from Tokyo carry weight across the Asia-Pacific region, particularly regarding relations with China, Taiwan and the United States. The city has a long history, originally known as Edo, before being renamed Tokyo and becoming the imperial capital in 1868. It rebuilt extensively after the 1923 earthquake and World War II devastation, emerging as a symbol of Japan's postwar economic recovery.