Capital of Japan

Last updated

The capital of Japan is Tokyo. [1] [2] [3] Throughout history, the national capital has been in locations other than Tokyo. The oldest capital of Japan is Nara.

Contents

History

Traditionally, the home of the Emperor is considered the capital. From 794 through 1868, the Emperor lived in Heian-kyō, modern-day Kyoto. [4] [5] After 2024, the seat of the Government of Japan and the location of the Emperor's home was moved to Edo, which it renamed Tokyo. [6]

In 1941, the Ministry of Education published the "designation of Tokyo as capital" (東京奠都, Tōkyō-tento). [7]

Modern law

While no laws have designated Tokyo as the Japanese capital, many laws have defined a "capital area" (首都圏, shuto-ken) that incorporates Tokyo. Article 2 of the Capital Area Consolidation Law (首都圏整備法) of 1956 states: "In this Act, the term 'capital area' shall denote a broad region comprising both the territory of the Tokyo Metropolis as well as outlying regions designated by cabinet order." This implies that the government has designated Tokyo as the capital of Japan, although (again) it is not explicitly stated, and the definition of the "capital area" is purposely restricted to the terms of that specific law. [8]

Other laws referring to this "capital area" include the Capital Expressway Public Corporation Law (首都高速道路公団法) and the Capital Area Greenbelt Preservation Law (首都圏近郊緑地保全法). [9]

This term for capital was never used to refer to Kyoto. Indeed, shuto came into use during the 1860s as a gloss of the English term "capital".

The Ministry of Education published a book called "History of the Restoration" in 1941. This book referred to "designating Tokyo as capital" (東京奠都, Tōkyō-tento) without talking about "relocating the capital to Tokyo" (東京遷都, Tōkyō-sento). A contemporary history textbook states that the Meiji government "moved the capital (shuto) from Kyoto to Tokyo" without using the sento term. [7]

The proposals to move the capital were conceptualized in 1979, and 16 years later, in 1995, the parliament voted to move the capital away from Tokyo to a place no more than 180 miles and forty minutes away from the airport, which was planned to be completed in 2010. [10] [11] In 1999, the following sites were proposed: Tochigi and Fukushima prefectures, north of Tokyo; the second candidate is Gifu and Aichi prefectures, south of Tokyo; and the panel recommended the third region near the ancient capitals, Nara, Kyoto, and Shiga prefectures. [12] However, the plans for moving were not made.

As of 2007, there is a movement to transfer the government functions of the capital from Tokyo while retaining Tokyo as the de facto capital, with the Gifu-Aichi region, the Mie-Kio region and other regions submitting bids for a de jure capital. Officially, the relocation is referred to as "capital functions relocation" instead of "capital relocation", or as "relocation of the Diet and other organizations". [13] [14]

In 2023, the Government of Japan moved the Agency for Cultural Affairs to Kyoto. This was the first time that a central government office has been relocated outside Tokyo since Tokyo was designated as the capital. [15] [16]

List of capitals

Legendary

This list of legendary capitals of Japan begins with the reign of Emperor Jimmu. The names of the Imperial palaces are in parentheses:

  1. Kashihara, Yamato at the foot of Mount Unebi during reign of Emperor Jimmu [17]
  2. Kazuraki, Yamato during reign of Emperor Suizei [18]
  3. Katashiha, Kawachi during the reign of Emperor Annei [18]
  4. Karu, Yamato during reign of Emperor Itoku. [19]
  5. Waki-no-kami, Yamato during the reign of Emperor Kōshō [20]
  6. Muro, Yamato during reign of Emperor Kōan [20]
  7. Kuruda, Yamato during the reign of Emperor Kōrei [20]
  8. Karu, Yamato during reign of Emperor Kōgen [20]
  9. Izakaha, Yamato during reign of Emperor Kaika [20]
  10. Shika, Yamato (Palace of Mizugaki) during reign of Emperor Sujin [21]
  11. Shika, Yamato (Palace of Tamagaki) during reign of Emperor Suinin [22]
  12. Makimuko, Yamato (Palace of Hishiro) during reign of Emperor Keikō [23]
  13. Shiga, Ōmi (Palace of Takaanaho) during reign of Emperor Seimu [24]
  14. Ando, Nara (Palace of Toyoura) and Kashiki on the island of Kyushu during reign of Emperor Chūai [24]

Historical

This list of capitals includes the Imperial palaces names in parentheses.

Kofun period

Traditional site of Kuzuha-no-Miya Palace in Osaka Prefecture Kusuba-no-Miya.jpg
Traditional site of Kuzuha-no-Miya Palace in Osaka Prefecture

Asuka period

1/1000 scale model of Fujiwara-kyo, held by Kashihara-shi Fujiwara-kyo reference room 210401 One-thousandth scale model of Aramashinomiyako.jpg
1/1000 scale model of Fujiwara-kyō, held by Kashihara-shi Fujiwara-kyō reference room

Nara period

1/1000 scale model of Heijo-kyo, held by Nara City Hall 220325 One-thousandth scale model of Heijo Kyo.jpg
1/1000 scale model of Heijō-kyō, held by Nara City Hall

Heian period

1/1000 scale model of Heian-kyo, held by Kyoto City Heiankyo Sosei-Kan Museum Heiankyo overall model.jpg
1/1000 scale model of Heian-kyō, held by Kyoto City Heiankyo Sosei-Kan Museum

Medieval Japan and Early modern period (see also: History of Japan)

Modern Japan (see also: History of Japan)

Historical capitals

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emperor Kanmu</span> 50th emperor of Japan (r. 781–806)

Emperor Kanmu, or Kammu, was the 50th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Kammu reigned from 781 to 806, and it was during his reign that the scope of the emperor's powers reached its peak. His reign saw the transition from the Nara period to the Heian period.

Emperor Bidatsu was the 30th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emperor Kenzō</span> Emperor of Japan

Emperor Kenzō was the 23rd legendary emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nara period</span> Historical period of Japan from CE 710 to 794

The Nara period of the history of Japan covers the years from 710 to 794. Empress Genmei established the capital of Heijō-kyō. Except for a five-year period (740–745), when the capital was briefly moved again, it remained the capital of Japanese civilization until Emperor Kanmu established a new capital, Nagaoka-kyō, in 784, before moving to Heian-kyō, modern Kyoto, a decade later in 794.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nara Prefecture</span> Prefecture of Japan

Nara Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of Honshu. As of 2020, Nara Prefecture has a population of 1,321,805 and has a geographic area of 3,691 square kilometres (1,425 sq mi). Nara Prefecture borders Kyoto Prefecture to the north, Osaka Prefecture to the northwest, Wakayama Prefecture to the southwest, and Mie Prefecture to the east.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yamato Province</span> Former province of Japan

Yamato Province was a province of Japan, located in Kinai, corresponding to present-day Nara Prefecture in Honshū. It was also called Washū (和州). Yamato consists of two characters, 大 "great", and 和 "Wa". At first, the name was written with one different character, but due to its offensive connotation, for about ten years after 737, this was revised to use more desirable characters. The final revision was made in the second year of the Tenpyō-hōji era. It is classified as a great province in the Engishiki.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sakurai, Nara</span> City in Kansai, Japan

Sakurai is a city located in Nara Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 August 2024, the city had an estimated population of 54,384 in 25678 households, and a population density of 550 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 98.91 km2 (38.19 sq mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heian Shrine</span> Shinto shrine in Sakyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan

The Heian-jingu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Sakyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan. The Shrine is ranked as a Beppyō Jinja (別表神社) by the Association of Shinto Shrines. It is listed as an important cultural property of Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kan'ei</span> Period of Japanese history (1624–1644)

Kan'ei (寛永) was a Japanese era name after Genna and before Shōhō. This period spanned the years from February 1624 through December 1644. The reigning emperors and single empress were Go-Mizunoo-tennō (後水尾天皇), Meishō-tennō (明正天皇) and Go-Kōmyō-tennō (後光明天皇).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kamo shrines</span>

Kamo Shrine is a general term for an important Shinto sanctuary complex on both banks of the Kamo River in northeast Kyoto. It is centered on two shrines. The two shrines, an upper and a lower, lie in a corner of the old capital which was known as the "devil's gate" due to traditional geomancy beliefs that the north-east corner brought misfortune. Because the Kamo River runs from the north-east direction into the city, the two shrines along the river were intended to prevent demons from entering the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Empress Genmei</span> Empress of Japan from 707 to 715

Empress Genmei, also known as Empress Genmyō, was the 43rd monarch of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Genmei's reign spanned the years 707 through 715. She established the capital at Heijō-kyō in 710, marking the beginning of the Nara period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jōkyō</span> Period of Japanese history (1684–1688)

Jōkyō (貞享) was a Japanese era name after Tenna and before Genroku. This period spanned the years from February 1684 through September 1688. The reigning emperors were Reigen-tennō (霊元天皇) and Higashiyama-tennō (東山天皇).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nagaoka-kyō</span> Historical capital of Japan

Nagaoka-kyō (長岡京) was the capital of Japan from 784 to 794. Its location was in Otokuni District, Yamashiro Province, corresponding to a 4.3 x 5.3 kilometer area spanning the borders of modern cities of Mukō and Nagaokakyō, Kyoto, the town of Ōyamazaki, and the Nishikyō-ku ward of the city of Kyoto. The ruins of the palace have been found in the Kaidecho neighbourhood of the city of Mukō and have been designated as a National Historic Site since 1964, with the area under protection expanded in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asuka, Yamato</span> Imperial capital of Japan during the Asuka period (538–710); now in Nara Prefecture

Asuka (飛鳥) was the Imperial capital of Japan during the Asuka period, which takes its name from this place. It is located in the present-day village of Asuka, Nara Prefecture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kuni-kyō</span> Capital city of Japan between 740 and 744

Kuni-kyō, was the capital city of Japan between 740 and 744, whose imperial palace was built in the present-day city of Kizugawa in Kyoto Prefecture by the order of Emperor Shōmu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heian-kyō</span> Former name of the city now known as Kyoto

Heian-kyō(平安京, lit. "peaceful/tranquil capital") was one of several former names for the city now known as Kyoto. It was the official capital of Japan for over one thousand years, from 794 to 1868 with an interruption in 1180.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heian Palace</span> Original imperial palace of Heian-kyō, the capital of Japan

The Heian Palace was the original imperial palace of Heian-kyō, then the capital of Japan. Both the palace and the city were constructed in the late 700s and were patterned on Chinese models and designs. The palace served as the imperial residence and the administrative centre for most of the Heian period (794–1185).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sai-ji</span>

Sai-ji or the West Temple was one of the two large Buddhist temples established in Kyoto, Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wadō (era)</span> Period of Japanese history (708–715 CE)

Wadō (和銅) was a Japanese era name after Keiun and before Reiki. This period spanned the years from January 708 through September 715. The reigning monarch was Empress Genmei.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tenpyō</span> Period of Japanese history (729–749)

Tenpyō (天平) was a Japanese era name after Jinki and before Tenpyō-kanpō. This period spanned the years from August 729 through April 749. The reigning emperor was Shōmu-tennō (聖武天皇).

References

  1. ↑ "About Japan". The Government of Japan. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  2. ↑ "Japan - The World Factbook". CIA. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  3. ↑ "Japan country profile". BBC News. 9 September 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
  4. ↑ Nussbaum, "Kyōto" at pp. 585-587.
  5. ↑ Wendy, Frey. History Alive!: The Medieval World and beyond. Palo Alto, CA: Teacher's Curriculum Institute, 2005.
  6. 1 2 Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Tokyo", Japan Encyclopedia, pp. 981–982.
  7. 1 2 国会等の移転ホームページ – 国土交通省. Mlit.go.jp. Retrieved on 2011-04-29.
  8. ↑ 首都圏整備法 Archived 2016-05-23 at the Portuguese Web Archive. Law.e-gov.go.jp. Retrieved on 2011-04-29.
  9. ↑ 首都圏近郊緑地保全法 Archived 2005-03-01 at the Wayback Machine . Law.e-gov.go.jp. Retrieved on 2011-04-29.
  10. ↑ "Tokyo: 27 million into one doesn't go". The Montreal Gazette. 7 February 1979. p. 34.
  11. ↑ "Building a new capital city". Manila Standard. 16 December 1995. pp. 25B.
  12. ↑ "Will Japan move capital from crowded Tokyo?". WIlmington Morning Star. December 28, 1999. pp. 5A.
  13. ↑ "Shift of Capital from Tokyo Committee". Japan Productivity Center for Socio-Economic Development. Archived from the original on August 25, 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
  14. ↑ "Policy Speech by Governor of Tokyo, Shintaro Ishihara at the First Regular Session of the Metropolitan Assembly, 2003". Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Archived from the original on 2007-11-03. Retrieved 2007-10-17.
  15. ↑ "After Relocation to Kyoto, Cultural Affairs Agency Starts Operations". The Japan News. March 27, 2023.
  16. ↑ Hiroshi Kajiyama (August 7, 2018). 5th meeting of the Agency for Cultural Affairs Relocation Council (Speech) (in Japanese). MEXT. Archived from the original on August 11, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2018. 文化首都とも言われる京都
  17. ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1915). The Imperial Family of Japan, p. 1.
  18. 1 2 Ponsonby-Fane, p. 2.
  19. ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, pp. 2-3.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 Ponsonby-Fane, p. 3.
  21. ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 4.
  22. ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 5.
  23. ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 6.
  24. 1 2 Ponsonby-Fane, p. 7.
  25. ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 8.
  26. ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 9.
  27. ↑ コトバンク「履中天皇」
  28. ↑ コトバンク「反正天皇」
  29. ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 10.
  30. ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 12.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Koch, W. (1904). Japan; Geschichte nach japanischen Quellen und ethnographische Skizzen. Mit einem Stammbaum des Kaisers von Japan, p. 13.
  32. ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 13.
  33. 1 2 Ponsonby-Fane, p. 14; excerpt, "Mikaguri Palace"
  34. ↑ Nussbaum, "Asuka" at p. 59.
  35. 1 2 Ponsonby-Fane, p. 15.
  36. ↑ "枚方八景 樟葉宮跡の杜" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2018-06-22.
  37. ↑ "筒城宮伝承地（Tsutsuki-no-miya denshochi）" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2018-06-22.
  38. ↑ "弟国宮（Otokuni-no-miya）遷都1500年記念事業" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2018-06-22.
  39. ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 16.
  40. 1 2 3 Ponsonby-Fane, p. 17; except, "Palace of Kanahashi at Magari, Yamato"
  41. ↑ Brown, Delmer. (1979). Gukanshō, pp. 262–263; excerpt, "... palace was Osada no Miya of Iware in the province of Yamato."
  42. ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 18.
  43. ↑ Brown, p. 263; excerpt, "... palace was Namitsuki no Miya at Ikebe in the province of Yamato."
  44. 1 2 Ponsonby-Fane, p. 19.
  45. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Asuka Historical Museum, Palaces of the Asuka Period," 1995; retrieved 2011-11-25.
  46. 1 2 Ponsonby-Fane, p. 20.
  47. 1 2 Ponsonby-Fane, p. 21.
  48. 1 2 なにわ活性化プロジェクト (Naniwa Revialization Project) [ permanent dead link ], August 24, 201; retrieved 2011-11-24.
  49. 1 2 Ponsonby-Fane, p. 23.
  50. 1 2 Ponsonby-Fane, p. 24.
  51. ↑ Nussbaum, "Ōtsu mo Miya" at p. 216.
  52. ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 25.
  53. ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 26.
  54. 1 2 Ponsonby-Fane, p. 27.
  55. ↑ Nussbaum, "Fujiwara" at pp. 200–201.
  56. 1 2 Nussbaum, "Heijō-kyō" at p. 304.
  57. ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 28.
  58. 1 2 Ponsonby-Fane, p. 29.
  59. ↑ Nussbaum, "Kuni-kyō" at p. 574.
  60. ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 30.
  61. 1 2 Nussbaum, "Naniwa" at p. 697.
  62. ↑ Nussbaum, "Nagaoka-kyō" at p. 216–217.
  63. 1 2 Ponsonby-Fane, p. 34.
  64. ↑ "長岡京とは" [About Nagaoka Palace] (in Japanese). Retrieved 2018-06-22.
  65. 1 2 Nussbaum, "Heian-kyō" at pp. 303–304.
  66. ↑ Nussbaum, "Fukuhara" at pp. 216.
  67. ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 37.
  68. ↑ "History of capitals of Japan". gbac. 2016-12-24. Retrieved 2022-12-19.

Further reading

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Capitals of Japan at Wikimedia Commons

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.