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Shifts in Tokyo's World City Status and the Urban Planning Response

Author

Listed:
  • Asato Saito

    (Planning Studies Programme, Department of Geography and Environment, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London, WC2 2AE, UK. A.Saito@lse.ac.uk)

  • Andy Thornley

    (Planning Studies Programme, Department of Geography and Environment, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London, WC2 2AE, UK. A.Thorneley@lse.ac.uk)

Abstract

The position of a city in any hierarchy of world importance is not a static phenomenon. This paper takes the example of Tokyo and explores its interaction with the dramatic economic and political events in Japan over the past 20 years. Although Tokyo is widely regarded as one of the top three 'world cities', the argument is supported that it retained many national characteristics, partly based on its location in a 'developmental state'. As national fortunes have changed, so has Tokyo's relationship with its global environment. The paper focuses on strategic urban policy and the way that this reflects Tokyo's world role, as perceived by national and city governments. Three phases in approach are identified since the 1980s. Twenty years ago Japan was experiencing economic boom and this was reflected in dramatic development projects in Tokyo. The concept of 'world city' was used at this time to legitimise such development. The 1990s were viewed in Japan as 'the lost decade' with great uncertainty over policy direction as the boom collapsed and urban policy in Tokyo entered a phase of inertia. It is argued that the city is now entering a third phase in which a new competitive attitude is emerging regarding the role of Tokyo and this is leading to changes in strategic urban policy. However, this new approach is still embedded in old structures and conceptions and hence there are tensions in developing future policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Asato Saito & Andy Thornley, 2003. "Shifts in Tokyo's World City Status and the Urban Planning Response," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 40(4), pages 665-685, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:40:y:2003:i:4:p:665-685
    DOI: 10.1080/0042098032000065245
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Takashi Machimura, 1998. "Symbolic Use of Globalization in Urban Politics in Tokyo," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(2), pages 183-194, June.
    2. Peter J. Rimmer, 1986. "Japan's World Cities: Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya or Tokaido Megalopolis?," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 17(1), pages 121-157, January.
    3. John Friedmann, 1986. "The World City Hypothesis," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 17(1), pages 69-83, January.
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