The history of the city of Tokyo stretches back some 400 years. Originally named Edo, the city started to flourish after Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Tokugawa Shogunate here in 1603. As the center of politics and culture in Japan, Edo grew into a huge city with a population of over a million by the mid-eighteenth century. Throughout this time, the Emperor resided in Kyoto, which was the formal capital of the nation. The Edo Period lasted for nearly 260 years until the Meiji Restoration in 1868, when the Tokugawa Shogunate ended and imperial rule was restored. The Emperor moved to Edo, which was renamed Tokyo. Thus, Tokyo became the capital of Japan.
During the Meiji era (1868-1912), Japan began its avid assimilation of Western civilization. Buildings made of stone and bricks were built on the sites of the mansions of feudal lords, and the roads of major cities were paved with round stones. In 1869, Japan's first telecommunications line was opened between Tokyo and Yokohama, and the first steam locomotive started running in 1872 from Shimbashi to Yokohama. Western hairstyles replaced the traditional topknot worn by men, and bowler hats, high collars and bustled skirts were the height of fashion. In 1882, Japan's first zoological gardens were opened in Ueno. In 1885, the cabinet system of government was adopted and Ito Hirobumi became Japan's first prime minister. With the promulgation of the Constitution of the Empire of Japan in 1889, Japan established the political system of a modern nation-state.
During the Taisho era (1912-1926), the number of people working in cities increased, and an increasing proportion of citizens began to lead consumer lifestyles. Educational standards improved, and the number of girls going on to study at higher schools increased. Performing arts such as theater and opera thrived.
In September 1923, Tokyo was devastated by the Great Kanto Earthquake. The fires caused by the earthquake burned the city center to the ground. Over 140,000 people were reported dead or missing, and 300,000 houses were destroyed. After the earthquake a city reconstruction plan was formulated, but because the projected costs exceeded the national budget only a small part of it was realized.
Beginning shortly after the Great Kanto Earthquake, the Showa era (1926-1989) started in a mood of gloom. Even so, Japan's first subway line was opened between Asakusa and Ueno in 1927, and in 1928 the first general elections for the House of Representatives of the Diet (or Parliament) were held. In 1931 Tokyo Airport was completed at Haneda, and in 1941 the Port of Tokyo was opened. By 1935, the number of people living in Tokyo had grown to 6.36 million, comparable to the populations of New York and London.
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) that had existed was abolished to pursue the war, 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 World War II, 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 August 15, 1945 when Japan accepted the terms of the Potsdam Declaration. 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.
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In May 1947, the new Constitution of Japan and the Local Autonomy Law took effect, and under the new system, Seiichiro Yasui was elected the first Governor of Tokyo by popular vote under the new system. In August of that year, the present 23 special-ward system* 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 Japan's 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 Tokyo's 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 pollution. 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 internationalizing economic activity and the emergence of the information society. Tokyo became one of the world's most vital major cities, boasting attractions such as cutting-edge technology, information, culture and fashion, as well as a high level of public safety. On the other hand, these rapid developments led to a slew of urban problems such as environmental degradation, traffic congestion and insufficient disaster preparedness. 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. At this beginning of the 21st century, Tokyo now stands at a historical turning point. Through implementation of a diversity of pioneering policies, Tokyo seeks to overcome the crisis it faces and create the attractive city it envisages.
Information History of Tokyo : Tokyo Metropolitan Government
On August 11, Governor Ishihara visited Tama Zoological Park in Hino City. Recently ranked in a magazine poll as the most popular must-visit zoo in Japan, the number of visitors has been on the rise as a result of the zoo's efforts to create innovative wildlife enclosures. The Governor spent about one hour strolling around the zoo and also experienced feeding the giraffes. Asked about his impressions, the Governor said, "The zoo has obviously put a lot of thought into building these enclosures. I now realize the importance of these kinds of spaces."
