(McInerney, 2016)History of Tokyo
The history of the city of Tokyo metropolitan is came from from 400 years, it is originally
from the named of Edo, the city was started to developed 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. During this time, when the emperor resided in Kyoto, which was the capital of the
country. 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 major roads were paved with round stones. In 1869 Japans 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 1885 the cabinet system of government was adopted
and Ito Hirobumi became Japans first prime minister.
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, Japans 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. (Government, 2016)
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.
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 Japans 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 Tokyos current prosperity.
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
worlds 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. In 2001, Tokyos population reached 12 million, and
surpassed 13 million in 2010. (Government, 2016)
In March 2011 the Great East Japan Earthquake struck the Tohoku region, and Tokyo was
also seriously affected. Using the experiences gained from this disaster, Tokyo is devoting
efforts to further strengthening its crisis management system.
In September 2013, Tokyo was selected to host its second Olympic and Paralympic Games in
2020. To make the 2020 Games the best ever and leave valuable legacies for the future, the
Tokyo Metropolitan Government is working to advance both tangible and intangible
initiatives including infrastructure upgrades, measures for the environment, and the
promotion of culture.
Tokyo population is projected to start declining once it reaches its peak in 2020. Also taking
into consideration changes to the structure of society such as the graying of the population,
the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is pushing toward its goal of becoming the world best
city where a balance between economic affluence and the quality of life is achieved and
anyone can fully enjoy life. (Government, 2016)
Do and dont for business people visiting Japan
Do in Japan
1. Do not litter.
The Japanese are fanatical, in a very good way, on recycling. Have you ever noticed
that Japan is one of the countries that is really into overpackaging as every little
thing must be displayed beautifully and then wrapped beautifully? They are fanatical
when it comes to recycling. You wont see rubbish bins around the cities; because
the people take the rubbish to recycling bins, and there are many of them. Read
about rubbish shaming in Japan. (McInerney, 2016)
2. Eat at Convenience Stores and Train Stations
I didnt think I would utter these words either, still having the image of the lone hot
dog/Weiner going around and around in The Simpsons, at Apus Kwik-E-Mart. But
..the food in the Convenience Stores is changed over every 2 hours so is as fresh as
anything, and varied. Ditto the train stations. (McInerney, 2016)
3. Puncuality
Everything and everyone is on time in Japan. Trains, people everything. Except
once, when an avalanche buried the train line and the Japanese people were so
distressed by things not running to perfection, that they fled the trains. Good story
to highlight that if everything does not run according to the rules, then this is major
hurdle for the Japanese. (McInerney, 2016)
Donts in Japan
1. Dont get into a drinking competition
Do not get into a sake or beer drinking competition with Japanese men. You will
lose. For some reason, they can get mightily drunk, and then be at work the next
morning bright eyed and bushy tailed, whereas you will feel as if you have died a
thousand deaths. (McInerney, 2016)
2. Dont tip
The Japanese do not accept or expect to be tipped. It borders on insulting.
3. Dont finish your drinks and meal
Dont finish your drink or meal. if you are out with Japanese people. They will
assume they have not fed you enough, or have not got you drunk enough. This is
insulting to the Japanese people who pride themselves on their hospitality.
Always leave a little in your glass, and a little on your plate. Let your host pour
your drink also. (McInerney, 2016)
