Section 2: Change over time

Tokyo, was once a traditional fishing village that inhabited very few. Over time, however, Tokyo rapidly created complex infrastructure and developed into a modern day society which houses millions. This was especially evident following the events of WWII where rebuilding was the number one priority which led Tokyo to be one of the most economically advanced cities in the world and ranked 4th in A.T Kearney's Global Cities Index of 2012.

In the 1970s, Tokyo saw the immense and rapid development of high rise buildings and apartments, suitable for the growing needs of the rising population. However, with the ever increasing amount in the population of Tokyo, the affordability of houses are quite low for many families and individuals. Also, the growing demand for public transport has made Tokyo's subway and railway lines as one of the most busiest in the world. Nevertheless, these subways and trains offer an efficient way of transport.

The graph below illustrates the population growth of Tokyo from 1920 to 2011. There is a steady increase  from 1920 to 1940, but in 1945, there is a steep decline to only 3.49 million, this off course was the result of the atomic bombing in WWII. From there, the population has seen a slow, but firm increase, where it reached up to 13.19 million by 2011.




These days, population growth in Tokyo is declining. Since Tokyo inhabits one of the most ageing populations in the world with an average of 82 years, (which is expected to increase) work force employment is likely to decline, as will the strength and growth of the economy. It is estimated that by 2060 the Japanese demographic will stagger down to 30 per cent, with seniors accounting for 40 per cent of the whole population. The current global birth rate is at 2.5 per couple per couple, Tokyo's is only 1.39, as of 2010, and this is due to further decline down to 1.35 in 2060.

With the population of Tokyo slipping annually. In 2006, the spread of suburban sprawl was on the rate of decline as more people returned to the cities due to the vast space that was available. Nowadays, urban sprawl is almost non-existent as the population is continuously falling year by year. Suburbs in Tokyo, do exist however, but not far as much as we see here in Melbourne.

Following the devastating results of the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 and the WWII bombings in 1945, the city of Tokyo is built on modern day infrastructure and stunning architecture. What was once a traditional and minuscule fishing village is now a bustling modernised city, home to one of the world's biggest companies like Sony and Toshiba. In today's society, it is considered one of the 'three command centres' for the world economy.

Bibliography - Access Date: 4/6/2012
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Japan_bans_suburban_sprawl_as_population_slips.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo#Demographics
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46187200/ns/world_news-asia_pacific/t/japans-population-drop-million-each-year-coming-decades-experts-say/
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/30/world/asia/japan-population-decline/index.html
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/30/us-japan-economy-aging-idUSTRE80T0JE20120130
http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/PROFILE/overview03.htm
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Section 3: Location

Japan in located on the far-east side of the Asian continent. It is situated directly north from Australia. It's surrounding nations include Russia, China and Korea, directly across the Sea of Japan. Tokyo is located on the south-east coast of Japan with the Pacific Ocean being its closest, major oceanic sea. The second largest city of Japan, Yokohama, is found on the south of Tokyo. There are 23 prefectures in Tokyo. As you can see from the below image, Tokyo is surrounded by several of the 23 prefectures, such as the Saitama Pref., Yamanashi Pref. and the Kanagawa Pref.

2005 - Figures shows the no. of commuters who live in surrounding prefectures travelling into Tokyo.

Map of Japan, Tokyo  

                                   

Section 1: Introduction

Tokyo, Japan is one of 47 districts or metropolises of Japan. It has seen years of evolution from the start of its establishment as a small fishing village to one of the most thriving and economically enriched mega cities in the world. Tokyo, was once called Edo, a town established in the late twentieth century by the Edo clan. In 1590, the military dictator, called a shogunate, Tokugawu Ieyasyu, made Edo his military base and soon the town grew into a rapidly growing centre for the military government. During this time and throughout the 18th century, Edo established its reputation as one of the largest cities in the world with up to one million inhabitants. 
In the 19th century, Japan underwent a revolution following the overthrow of the shogunate. Japan was now under the reign of Emperor Meiji who took control over Edo, as well as Japan. Emperor Meji later renamed Edo, into what it is known to this very day, Tokyo, meaning 'The Eastern Capital.' Tokyo modernised and grew into Japan's de facto capital, partly due to the residence of the Emperor, but also from its history which made Tokyo flourish into a political and cultural centre.

Over the years, especially during the twentieth century, The 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake saw similar and horrendous results in contrast with the 2011 Japanese nuclear disaster from the effects of a tsunami and earthquake. In 1945, Tokyo's infrastructure experienced heavy bombing by allied forces that led to the destruction of major areas and killing up to 200,000 people.

Following the aftermath of the war, Tokyo was in impressive form following its reconstruction, which then hosted the 1964 Summer Olympics. In the 1960s and onwards, Tokyo saw substantial industrial, economical and infrastructure growth and development, and soon became one of the most developed cities in the world by 1980. Today, Tokyo is regarded as a post-industrial city and is among on of the top most livable cities in the world. As of August 2011, Tokyo's metro population was 35,682,460. It's metropolis population is currently 13,185,502.

Bibliography:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo - 28/05/2012, 29/05/2012

http://www.asiarooms.com/en/travel-guide/japan/tokyo/tokyo-overview/history-of-tokyo.html - 29/05/2012