Superiority of international city “Tokyo” (1)
Tokyo’s superiority in the global viewpoints
The number of visitors to Japan from overseas on a nationwide basis in year 2016 was 24.04million, which has exceeded the Government’s target of 20 million. In the preliminary report for 2017, the number was 28.69 million. The Abe Cabinet has doubled the target for 2020 to 40 million in consideration to the upcoming Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games. It is certain that there are charming tourist destinations throughout the country such as Kyoto, Mt. Fuji, and other areas ranging from Hokkaido to Okinawa. However, I feel Tokyo can also enhances its position not only as a business destination but also as a sightseeing destination.
What kind of superiority and growth potential does the “international city of Tokyo” have? I would like to cover this through a series starting from this post.
Since 2008, the Institute for Urban Strategies of the Mori Memorial Foundation has been publishing a yearbook for “Global Power City Index (GPCI)” annually. In the comprehensive ranking of GPCI – 2017 published in October 2017, Tokyo was honored the No.3 ranking after London and New York.
From the viewpoint of a Megalopolis area, the Tokyo-Yokohama metropolitan area is said to have one of the largest population scale in the world. As far as my experience goes, the ordinary things for the people who are commuting to or living in Tokyo and Yokohama, are very uncommon to those living in other Megalopolis areas in the world.
Furthermore, Tokyo has also raised its reputation as a tourist destination. According to the “Urban Survey of the World by Travelers” in 2014, Tokyo was awarded first place for the best overall experience.
Actually, when I return back to Japan after some period of traveling abroad, I feel security, safeness, peacefulness, and some sense of efficiency as well. Also when I think about Japan during my stay abroad, I sometimes find something about Japan which I have never noticed before.
In this series, I would like to explore the superiority of the “international city Tokyo” and the issues to enhance the attractiveness introducing some data from abovementioned sources.
