History of Tokyo

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 bricks and stone were built on the sites of the mansions of feudal lords, and the major roads 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 state.

During the Taisho era (1912-1926), the number of people working in cities increased, and a growing 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 16th general elections for the House of Representatives of the Diet were held for the first time following the enactment of universal male suffrage. In 1931 Tokyo Airport was completed at Haneda, and in 1941 the Port of Tokyo was opened. By 1935 the resident population of 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) was abolished for war-time efficiency, 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 the war, 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 September 2, 1945, when the Japanese government and military representatives signed the Instrument of Surrender. 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.

In May 1947 the new Constitution of Japan and the Local Autonomy Law took effect, and 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. 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 global economic activity and the emergence of the information society. Tokyo became one of the world's most active major cities, boasting attractions such as cutting-edge technology, information, culture, and fashion, as well as a high level of public safety. 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. Tokyo was, however, able to overcome this financial crisis through two successive fiscal reconstruction programs. The population also started returning to Tokyo, and in 1997, in-migration exceeded out-migration for the first time in 12 years. Tokyo's population reached 12 million in 2000, 13 million in 2009, and surpassed 14 million in 2019.

In March 2011 the Great East Japan Earthquake struck the Tohoku region, and Tokyo was also seriously affected.

In September 2013, Tokyo won the bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games for the second time. The impact of COVID-19, which had been spreading around the world since the start of 2020, however, resulted in the decision in March 2020 to postpone the Games by one year. Amid the difficulty presented by this unprecedented decision, the remaining days were used to implement measures to hold a safe and secure Games, culminating in the delivery of the Games in summer 2021.

Multifaceted initiatives, both tangible and intangible, have been consistently promoted since the decision to host the Games, including infrastructure upgrades, measures for the environment, and the promotion of culture. These efforts, together with the accomplishments of the Games, are building a Games legacy that contributes to the abundant lives of Tokyo’s residents.

With regard to COVID-19 response, a monitoring council and the Tokyo iCDC, consisting of experts, were established. Based on their analyses and insights, the comprehensive system for healthcare delivery was built up, including an improved testing system, quick securement of hospital beds, opening of mass vaccination centers, and the establishment of facilities for the recovery of older citizens. As a result, despite the fact that Tokyo is one of the most populated cities in the world, the number of cases and the mortality rate remained low compared to other countries of the world.

The increasing frequency and growing intensity of storms and flooding in recent years, the possibility of a large earthquake directly striking the capital, and other risks, make the situation such that a large-scale disaster can occur at any time. In order to protect the lives and livelihoods of the people of Tokyo from such emergencies, the Tokyo Resilience Project was launched in 2022.

The shapes of cities and the landscape of society also change with the times. Looking back, it can be seen that many of Tokyo's achievers used turning points in history to transform Tokyo into a future-oriented and more prosperous city. Informed by the approach they took, as the economy and society are now undergoing major changes, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will work to make Tokyo a city where each and every citizen can shine.

Tokyo Station Square (1964)

Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building (Tokyo Michiterasu illumination event)

■History of Tokyo

1603	Tokugawa Ieyasu establishes the Shogunate Government (Tokugawa Shogunate) in the town of Edo. Edo period begins.
1657	Major fire in Edo claims over 100,000 lives.
1674	Seki Takakazu publishes Hatsubi-Sanpo, presenting solutions to algebraic equations.
1718	Firefighting organizations established.
1721	First population census conducted (Edo's population about 1.3 million).
1722	Koishikawa Yojosho established as the first free hospital by the government.
1854	Treaty of Peace and Amity between Japan and the U.S. concluded (Japan ends seclusion policy).
1867	Tokugawa Yoshinobu, last shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate, resigns and returns governing power to the Emperor.
1868	New Meiji government established. Meiji era begins. Edo renamed Tokyo and becomes a prefecture.
1872	First railway line opens between Shimbashi (Tokyo) and Yokohama.
1877	First Industrial Exhibition held at Ueno Park.
1879	First Tokyo-fu (prefecture) Conference held.
1882	First zoo opens in Ueno.
1885	Cabinet system established. Ito Hirobumi appointed as first Prime Minister.
1888	Municipal organization system introduced.
1889	Constitution of the Empire of Japan promulgated. Tokyo City and 15 wards established.
1893	Jurisdiction of three Tama Areas transferred from Kanagawa Prefecture to Tokyo-fu.
1894	Tokyo-fu Government Building completed in Marunouchi. Sino-Japanese War begins (ends 1895).
1904	Russo-Japanese War begins (ends 1905).
1914	World War I begins (ends 1918). Red brick and tile Tokyo Station completed.
1920	Japan becomes one of the original members of the League of Nations. First census conducted. Population of Tokyo-fu rapidly increases and becomes 3,699,428.
1923	Great Kanto Earthquake claims the lives of around 140,000 people and destroys about 300,000 houses.
1925	Universal male suffrage enacted. Radio broadcasting services launched.
1927	First subway line opens between Asakusa and Ueno.
1931	Tokyo Airport opens in Haneda.
1935	Tokyo's resident population reaches 6.36 million (almost the same as New York City and London).
1941	Port of Tokyo opens. Pacific War begins.
1943	Metropolitan administration system established.
1945	March 10: Tokyo hit by heaviest air raid since beginning of war. Pacific War ends. Tokyo's population drops to 3.49 million (half of 1940 levels).
1947	Constitution of Japan promulgated. New local self-government system introduced. Yasui Seiichiro elected first Governor of Tokyo by popular vote. Tokyo launches 23 special-ward administration system.
1951	Treaty of Peace with Japan and Japan-U.S. Security Treaty concluded.
1953	Television broadcasting services launched.
1956	Japan joins United Nations.
1959	Azuma Ryotaro elected Governor of Tokyo.
1962	Tokyo's population reaches 10 million. Start of high economic growth period.
1964	The Olympic Games and Paralympic Games held in Tokyo.
1967	Minobe Ryokichi elected Governor.
1968	Ogasawara Islands returned to Japan. Tokyo Centennial Anniversary Festival held.
1969	Tokyo Metropolitan Pollution Control Ordinance enacted.
1973	Oil crisis occurs.
1975	First public election of ward mayors conducted.
1979	Fifth G7 Economic Summit Meeting held in Tokyo. Suzuki Shunichi elected Governor.
1982	Long-Term Plan for the Tokyo Metropolis announced.
1991	Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings move to Shinjuku from Marunouchi.
1993	Rainbow Bridge opens.
1995	Aoshima Yukio elected Governor.
1997	Long-Term Strategies for a Resident-Friendly Tokyo announced.
1999	Ishihara Shintaro elected Governor. Fiscal Reconstruction Promotion Plan announced. Say No to Diesel Vehicles! campaign launched.
2000	Responsibility of refuse collection and disposal transferred to wards. Miyake Island erupts and all residents evacuated.
2001	Asian Network of Major Cities (ANMC21) holds 1st Plenary Meeting.
2003	Diesel Vehicle Emissions Regulations introduced in Greater Tokyo Area.
2005	New Tokyo Metropolitan University begins operations.
2006	Tokyo's Big Change: The 10-Year Plan formulated.
2007	Inaugural Tokyo Marathon held. Tokyo announces Japan's first financial statements based on a new public accounting system.
2008	C40 Tokyo Conference on Climate Change held.
2010	Haneda Airport puts new runway and international terminal into service.
2011	Great East Japan Earthquake occurs. Ogasawara Islands inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List. Tokyo Vision 2020 formulated.
2012	Tokyo Gate Bridge opens. Tokyo Skytree opens. Inose Naoki elected Governor.
2013	Tokyo selected to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Typhoon causes huge damages on Oshima Island.
2014	Masuzoe Yoichi elected Governor. The Long-Term Vision for Tokyo released.
2015	Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway Central Circular Route fully opens to traffic.
2016	Koike Yuriko elected Governor. New Tokyo. New Tomorrow. The Action Plan for 2020 released.
2018	Toyosu Market opens. Tokyo 150 Years Festival held.
2019	Typhoon Hagibis hits Tokyo. Rugby World Cup 2019 held in Japan. The strategic vision for Tokyo's future unveiled.
2020	Decision made to postpone the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. Emergency measures implemented in Tokyo to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
2021	Future Tokyo: Tokyo’s Long-Term Strategy unveiled. The Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 held.
2022	Tokyo Resilience Project launched.
2023	Tokyo marks the centennial of the Great Kanto Earthquake.

*All names in this publication follow the Japanese order of family name first.