The birth and rise of the Global City in the international landscape. Tokyo, a case study.

Abstract

In the postwar era, Japan recognized the increasing international competition and the need to become an engine of globalization. As a result, globalization has become a driving reason for technological and economic innovation and modernization in various sectors of Japanese society. The result has been the rise of the world city of Tokyo, the symbol of Japanese industrial, economic, and diplomatic power, location of the headquarters of numerous domestic and foreign companies capable of attracting foreign investment and capital. Industrialization and urban expansion are the driving forces behind the globalization and internationalization of the economy: as a result of its active involvement in modern history, Tokyo has become the flagship metropolis for the innovation and modernization of the country. In particular, competition from emerging economic powers in the global market, such as Shanghai, Singapore, and Hong Kong, has driven Tokyo to become a world-leading metropolis. The purpose of this paper is to determine how the Japanese interpretation of a world city differs from that of other megalopolises such as New York or London. The Global City of Tokyo will be analyzed from two perspectives: from a sociological standpoint and an economic one. Second, we will examine the evolution of Tokyo's urban development and international stance to understand the key elements of Tokyo's globalization. This study's scope will be explained by presenting Tokyo's current status as a global leader and its unique features in the Introduction. Furthermore, it will examine the role of the government in Tokyo's globalization and economic development through the concept of the "developmental state" and its “planning culture”. In Chapter 1, the concept of a "global city" will be explained through the theories of its inventors and pioneers, such as George Simmel, Manuel Castell, and Saskia Sassen. In doing so, the research aims to understand the precise definition and implications of the concept of global city for Tokyo. Chapter 2 explores the concept of "Information Society" and why Tokyo can be considered one. To better understand the evolution of the Japanese economic system, the meaning of producer and service economies will also be examined. Chapter 3 scrutinizes Tokyo's history from the Tokugawa Shogunate to the modern era to properly understand the evolution of the city and how it has influenced the formation of its international character. Chapter 4 analyzes Tokyo's modern history to understand how recent economic events have affected the way the city has interacted with the global landscape, and chart its prospects. Finally, in the Conclusion, the major factors that led Tokyo to become a global city will be discussed to outline future developments.