A global city also known as a world city is a city in the world taken to be an important place in the economic system of the world. To consider a city a global city, there is a criterion that it has to satisfy. For example, it has to provide various international financial services like in banking and marketing industries, and also the city has to have renowned educational institutions. Other characteristics it has to possess include prominent skyline, influential political affairs and provide media services.
Tokyo, Japan’s capital city is a global city. Its population as of the year 2007 was estimated to be around 12.79 million, which was a total of those living within the city and its 23 wards. Tokyo is located in the Kanto region, Honshu Island. It has 23 wards, one district, 26 cities and 4 sub-prefectures. Tokyo’s main economy drivers include tourism, agriculture and fisheries, financial centers among others.
Cities do have impact on their environment that goes beyond set boundaries. Tokyo purchases goods as well as services form other cities and even countries and it also uses energy. There is a set environmental challenge when energy is used and Tokyo has set ways to curb any ill effect caused to the environment. It has enacted measures to reduce greenhouse gases by 25% by the year 2020. Tokyo, in 2006, enacted a 10 year project to increase the number of trees on the roadside. There are also developed environmental ways to tackle climate change through decentralizing energy production and adding congestion charge.
Tokyo’s transportation is highly recognized internationally as it is dominated by clean, efficient networks of extensive subways and trains, as well as buses and monorails playing the secondary part mode of transport. It is Japan’s largest international and domestic hub for ground, air and rail transportation. Tokyo is a hub for transport to other destinations in Asia and the rest of the world. This efficient way of transport has increased connectivity between Tokyo and other important nodes in the world. Alongside air, ground and rail transport, ferries are used to carry cargo and passengers to foreign and domestic ports, within the islands of Tokyo.
Tokyo’s metropolitan economy is the largest in the globe. A study by PriceWaterHouseCoopers stated that Tokyo’s urban area with a population of 35.2 million had a GDP totaling 1.479 trillion US dollars in the year 2008. It is also a major finance centre locally and internationally. Tokyo houses several headquarters to the world’s largest insurance companies and investment banks. It is also Japan’s hub for publishing, broadcasting and transportation industries. Tokyo together with New York and London has been described as command centers, for the global economy. Its stock exchange is the third largest, in the market capitalization sector in the world. Tourism also contributes to Tokyo’s economy. Tokyo was ranked among the top class in the globe, in fortune global 500 number company headquarters. Accumulation of many companies in Tokyo is a magnetic force and attracts more companies, everyday to the city. This has further enhanced the economy of the city.
The culture in Tokyo is quite rich as it has several museums such as the Tokyo national Museum, which is the largest in the country and specializes in traditional art. In addition there are a number of art theatres for performing. These theatres include traditional forms, for performing Japanese drama and also modern drama. Different festivals happen throughout Tokyo. Tokyo’s cuisine is highly regarded internationally.
As a global city, Tokyo has a diverse sporting and is home to two baseball professional clubs. Tokyo has hosted Olympic Games in the national stadium, known as Olympic stadium. This stadium is a host to several sporting events. There are world class sports places and is used to host national as well as international sports events like tennis tournaments, marathons, rugby and many others. Tokyo is set to host the Summer Olympics in the year 2020.
Tokyo has merged tradition and modernity temporally. The city is seen as an ultra modern city with its skyscrapers, design, cutting age fashion and high technology. It has preserved its many traditions from shrines to ancient temples. The traditional culture is an inspiration to workers in fields such as architecture and design.
There has been a long period of stagnation in Tokyo’s economyfromthe1990s and it has led to a decline in the world’s city status and other rising cities such as Seoul has increased competition. Tragedies, such as the 2011 earthquake, have proved to be a difficulty to the city. The city has now established a new paradigm for its re-invention and in response to the challenges faced. From the above points, Tokyo still proves to be a global city.
References
"Japan’s Local Government System". Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Retrieved from http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/PROFILE/overview05.htm
Renn A. M. (2012). ‘What a global city is?’ retrieved from http://www.newgeography.com/content/003292-what-is-a-global-city
