Capital of Japan
Encyclopedia
The capital
Capital City
Capital City was a television show produced by Euston Films which focused on the lives of investment bankers in London living and working on the corporate trading floor for the fictional international bank Shane-Longman....

 of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

, where the seat of the Government of Japan
Government of Japan
The government of Japan is a constitutional monarchy where the power of the Emperor is very limited. As a ceremonial figurehead, he is defined by the 1947 constitution as "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people". Power is held chiefly by the Prime Minister of Japan and other elected...

 and home of the Emperor
Emperor of Japan
The Emperor of Japan is, according to the 1947 Constitution of Japan, "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people." He is a ceremonial figurehead under a form of constitutional monarchy and is head of the Japanese Imperial Family with functions as head of state. He is also the highest...

 are located, is de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...

. While this is generally not in dispute, the capital de jure
De jure
De jure is an expression that means "concerning law", as contrasted with de facto, which means "concerning fact".De jure = 'Legally', De facto = 'In fact'....

is unclear. There is a dispute as to exactly when Tokyo became the capital. Some state that it occurred when Tokyo prefecture was established in 1868. Others state that it occurred when Edo Castle
Edo Castle
, also known as , is a flatland castle that was built in 1457 by Ōta Dōkan. It is located in Chiyoda in Tokyo, then known as Edo, Toshima District, Musashi Province. Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Tokugawa shogunate here. It was the residence of the shogun and location of the shogunate, and also...

 became Tokyo Castle that same year, and still others say that it occurred when Tokyo Castle became the Imperial Castle (now the Kokyo
Kokyo
is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan. It is a large park-like area located in the Chiyoda area of Tokyo close to Tokyo Station and contains several buildings including the main palace , the emperor left Kyoto Imperial Palace for Tokyo...

) in 1869. Historically speaking, while there was an imperial edict transferring the capital to Heian kyō, such a basis has never been provided for the transfer from Kyoto
Kyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...

 to Tokyo. So, today, there are some people who say that since the transfer to Heiankyo was valid, Kyoto is still the capital of Japan, while some say that Tokyo and Kyoto are both simultaneously capitals of Japan.

Conceptions of the capital of Japan before the Meiji restoration

Location of the diet

After World War II, the new Constitution of Japan
Constitution of Japan
The is the fundamental law of Japan. It was enacted on 3 May, 1947 as a new constitution for postwar Japan.-Outline:The constitution provides for a parliamentary system of government and guarantees certain fundamental rights...

 transferred the state's sovereignty
Sovereignty
Sovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory. It can be found in a power to rule and make law that rests on a political fact for which no purely legal explanation can be provided...

 from the Emperor to the people, as represented by the Diet of Japan
Diet of Japan
The is Japan's bicameral legislature. It is composed of a lower house, called the House of Representatives, and an upper house, called the House of Councillors. Both houses of the Diet are directly elected under a parallel voting system. In addition to passing laws, the Diet is formally...

. A broad consensus arose that the site of the Diet denoted the capital of Japan. This is the most concrete basis for legally recognizing Tokyo as the sole capital of Japan, since the Emperor has no governing power and all other state institutions are based in Tokyo. It falls short of an explicit statement that Tokyo is the capital.

The "capital area" in Japanese law

While no laws have designated Tokyo as the Japanese capital, many laws have defined a that incorporates Tokyo. Article 2 of the of 1956 states that "In this Act, the term 'capital area' shall denote a broad region comprising both the territory of Tokyo Metropolis as well as outlying regions designated by cabinet order." This clearly 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.

Other laws referring to this "capital area" include the and the .

This term for capital was never used to refer to Kyoto. Indeed, shuto came into use during the 1860s as a gloss
Gloss
A gloss is a brief notation of the meaning of a word or wording in a text. It may be in the language of the text, or in the reader's language if that is different....

 of the English term "capital".

Official government positions

In 1941, the Ministry of Education published a book called "History of the Restoration", which is still used by modern scholars. This book referred to the without talking about . A contemporary history textbook states that the Meiji government "moved the capital (shuto) from Kyoto to Tokyo" without using the sento term.

Recently, there has been a movement to transfer the capital from Tokyo, with the Gifu-Aichi region, the Mie-Kio region and other regions submitting bids for it. Officially, the relocation is referred to as "capital functions relocation" instead of "capital relocation", or as "relocation of the Diet and other organizations".

Successive capitals of Japan

The names of corresponding imperial palaces are included in parentheses.
  • Hatsuse no Asakura Palace
    Sakurai, Nara
    is a city in Nara, Japan.As of 2007, the city had an estimated population of 63,321 with a density of 630.01 persons per km². The total area is 98.92 km².The city was founded on September 1, 1956....

    , 456 – 479
  • Iware no Mikakuri Palace
    Sakurai, Nara
    is a city in Nara, Japan.As of 2007, the city had an estimated population of 63,321 with a density of 630.01 persons per km². The total area is 98.92 km².The city was founded on September 1, 1956....

    , 480 – 484
  • Chikatsu-Asuka-Yatsuri Palace
    Asuka, Yamato
    was one of the Imperial capitals 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....

    , 485 – 487
  • Isonokami Hirotaka Palace
    Tenri, Nara
    is a city located in Nara, Japan. Tenri is the only city in Japan to be named after a religious group, the new religious movement Tenrikyo which has its headquarters in the city and believes it to be one among other energy centers of the world. Tenrikyo had recommended the name Yamabe, which is the...

    , 488 – 498
  • Hatsuse no Minaki Palace
    Sakurai, Nara
    is a city in Nara, Japan.As of 2007, the city had an estimated population of 63,321 with a density of 630.01 persons per km². The total area is 98.92 km².The city was founded on September 1, 1956....

    , 498 – 507
  • Kusuba Palace
    Hirakata, Osaka
    is a city located in north-eastern Osaka, Japan, near the prefectural borders of Nara and Kyoto. It is renowned for its chrysanthemum doll exhibition, as well as Hirakata Park — an amusement park featuring five roller coasters....

    , 507 – 511
  • Tsutsuki Palace
    Kyotanabe, Kyoto
    is a city located in the southern tip of Kyoto, Japan.As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 65,274. The total area is 42.94 km².The city was founded on April 1, 1997, after the town of Tanabe was reorganized into the city of Kyōtanabe. The Kyō- was added to distinguish it from the...

    , 511 – 518
  • Otokuni Palace
    Nagaokakyo, Kyoto
    is a city located in Kyoto, Japan.As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 79,306 and the density of 4,070.96 persons per km². The total area is 19.18 km²....

    , 518 – 526
  • Iware no Tamaho Palace
    Sakurai, Nara
    is a city in Nara, Japan.As of 2007, the city had an estimated population of 63,321 with a density of 630.01 persons per km². The total area is 98.92 km².The city was founded on September 1, 1956....

    , 526 – 532
  • Magari no Kanahashi Palace
    Kashihara, Nara
    is a city located in Nara, Japan. It is the second largest city in the prefecture.As of January 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 125,547 and the density of 3,176.79 persons per km². The total area is 39.52 km²....

    , 532 – 535
  • Hinokuma no Iorino Palace
    Sakurai, Nara
    is a city in Nara, Japan.As of 2007, the city had an estimated population of 63,321 with a density of 630.01 persons per km². The total area is 98.92 km².The city was founded on September 1, 1956....

    , 535 – 539
  • Shikishima no Kanasashi Palace
    Asuka, Yamato
    was one of the Imperial capitals 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....

    , 540 – 571
  • Kudara no Ohi Palace
    Koryo, Nara
    is a town located in Kitakatsuragi District, Nara, Japan. It served as Japan's temporary capital from 640-642 AD, the Kudara Palace. Kudara is a reference to the Korean kingdom of Baekje....

    , 572 – 575
  • Osata no Sakitama Palace
    Sakurai, Nara
    is a city in Nara, Japan.As of 2007, the city had an estimated population of 63,321 with a density of 630.01 persons per km². The total area is 98.92 km².The city was founded on September 1, 1956....

    , 575 – 585
  • Iwareikebe no Namitsuki Palace
    Shiki District, Nara
    is a district located in Nara Prefecture, Japan.As of 2003, the district has an estimated population of 50,009 and a density of 1,607.49 persons per km². The total area is 31.11 km².- Towns and villages :* Kawanishi* Miyake* Tawaramoto...

    , 585 – 587
  • Kurahashi no Shibagaki Palace
    Shiki District, Nara
    is a district located in Nara Prefecture, Japan.As of 2003, the district has an estimated population of 50,009 and a density of 1,607.49 persons per km². The total area is 31.11 km².- Towns and villages :* Kawanishi* Miyake* Tawaramoto...

    , 587 – 592
  • Asuka-Toyura Palace
    Asuka, Yamato
    was one of the Imperial capitals 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....

    , 593 – 603
  • Asuka-Oharida Palace
    Asuka, Yamato
    was one of the Imperial capitals 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....

    , 603 – 629
  • Asuka-Okamoto Palace
    Asuka, Yamato
    was one of the Imperial capitals 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....

    , 630 – 636
  • Tanaka Palace
    Kashihara, Nara
    is a city located in Nara, Japan. It is the second largest city in the prefecture.As of January 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 125,547 and the density of 3,176.79 persons per km². The total area is 39.52 km²....

    , 636 – 639
  • Kudara Palace
    Koryo, Nara
    is a town located in Kitakatsuragi District, Nara, Japan. It served as Japan's temporary capital from 640-642 AD, the Kudara Palace. Kudara is a reference to the Korean kingdom of Baekje....

    , 640 – 642
  • Asuka-Oharida Palace
    Asuka, Yamato
    was one of the Imperial capitals 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....

    , 642 – 643
  • Asuka-Itabuki Palace
    Asuka, Yamato
    was one of the Imperial capitals 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....

    , 643 – 645
  • Naniwa-Nagara no Toyosaki Palace
    Osaka
    is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...

    , 645 – 654
  • Asuka-Itabuki Palace
    Asuka, Yamato
    was one of the Imperial capitals 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....

    , 655 – 655
  • Asuka-Kawahara Palace
    Asuka, Yamato
    was one of the Imperial capitals 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....

    , 655 – 655
  • Later Asuka-Okamoto Palace
    Asuka, Yamato
    was one of the Imperial capitals 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....

    , 656 – 660
  • Asakura no Tachibana no Hironiwa Palace
    Asakura, Fukuoka
    is a city located in south central Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. The city was created on March 20, 2006 when the old town of Asakura, from Asakura District, absorbed the former city of Amagi, and the town of Haki, also from Asakura District, to form the new city of Asakura.-Geography:Asakura is...

    , 661 – 661
  • Naniwa-Nagara no Toyosaki Palace
    Osaka
    is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...

    , 661 – 667
  • Ōmi Ōtsu Palace
    Otsu, Shiga
    is the capital city of Shiga, Japan. The city was founded on October 1, 1898. As of October 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 338,629 with an average age of 40.7 years and a population density of 905.28 persons per km²...

    , 667 – 672
  • Asuka-Kiyomihara Palace
    Asuka, Yamato
    was one of the Imperial capitals 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....

    , 672 – 694
  • Fujiwara-kyō
    Fujiwara-kyo
    was the Imperial capital of Japan for sixteen years, between 694 and 710. It was located in Yamato Province , having been moved from nearby Asuka. However, in the Nihon Shoki, the name Fujiwara-kyō had never been used...

     (Fujiwara Palace), 694 – 710
  • Heijō-kyō
    Heijo-kyo
    Heijō-kyō , was the capital city of Japan during most of the Nara period, from 710–40 and again from 745–84. The Palace site is a listed UNESCO World Heritage together with other places in the city of Nara Heijō-kyō (平城京, also Heizei-kyō, sometimes Nara no miyako), was the capital city of Japan...

     (Heijō Palace
    Heijo Palace
    ' in Nara, was the Imperial Palace of Japan , during most of the Nara period. The Palace was located in the north end of the capital city, Heijō-kyō...

    ), 710 – 740
  • Kuni-kyō
    Kuni-kyo
    Kuni-kyō , was the capital city of Japan between 740 and 744, with the palace built in present-day city of Kizugawa by order of Emperor Shōmu. The city of Kuni-kyō was not completed, as the capital was once again moved to Naniwa-kyō , only four years later...

     (Kuni Palace), 740 – 744
  • Naniwa-kyō
    Naniwa-kyo
    is a historical Japanese capital city, which was located in present-day central Osaka city.Traces of ancient palaces in Naniwa were found in 1957. Through more recent excavations, the existence of a city was confirmed, at least for the latter period in the 8th century.- External links :*...

     (Naniwa Palace), 744
  • Shigaraki Palace
    Shigaraki Palace
    was a palace built by Emperor Shōmu, initially as a villa, later named by himself as the capital in 744. The palace was located in the present-day city of Kōka, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. The capital-palace is also referred to as in the Shoku Nihongi....

    , 744 – 745
  • Heijō-kyō
    Heijo-kyo
    Heijō-kyō , was the capital city of Japan during most of the Nara period, from 710–40 and again from 745–84. The Palace site is a listed UNESCO World Heritage together with other places in the city of Nara Heijō-kyō (平城京, also Heizei-kyō, sometimes Nara no miyako), was the capital city of Japan...

     (Heijō Palace
    Heijo Palace
    ' in Nara, was the Imperial Palace of Japan , during most of the Nara period. The Palace was located in the north end of the capital city, Heijō-kyō...

    ), 745 – 784
  • Nagaoka-kyō
    Nagaoka-kyo
    was the capital of Japan from 784 to 794. Its location was reported as Otokuni District, Yamashiro Province, and Nagaokakyō, Kyoto, which took its name from the capital...

     (Nagaoka Palace), 784 – 794
  • Heian-kyō
    Heian-kyo
    Heian-kyō , was one of several former names for the city now known as Kyoto. It was the capital of Japan for over one thousand years, from 794 to 1868 with an interruption in 1180....

     (Heian Palace
    Heian Palace
    The Heian Palace was the original imperial palace of Heian-kyō , the capital of Japan, from 794 to 1227. In Japan, this palace is called Daidairi...

    ), 794 – 1180
  • Fukuhara Palace
    Fukuhara-kyo
    Fukuhara-kyō was the seat of Japan's Imperial Court, and therefore the capital of the country, for roughly six months in 1180...

    , 1180
  • Heian-kyō
    Heian-kyo
    Heian-kyō , was one of several former names for the city now known as Kyoto. It was the capital of Japan for over one thousand years, from 794 to 1868 with an interruption in 1180....

    /Kyoto
    Kyoto
    is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...

     (Heian Palace
    Heian Palace
    The Heian Palace was the original imperial palace of Heian-kyō , the capital of Japan, from 794 to 1227. In Japan, this palace is called Daidairi...

    ), 1180 – 1868
  • Tokyo
    Tokyo
    , ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...

     (Kōkyo), 1868–present
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