Economy

Tokyo is the leading commercial and financial city of Japan. In the downtown section, especially in the wards of Chiyoda and Chuo, are the headquarters of many of the nation's largest corporations, stockbrokerage firms, and insurance companies. The stock exchange and many of the world's largest banks are also here. Because of its large number of inhabitants and their relative prosperity, Tokyo is the largest consumer market in Japan. It also leads all other Japanese cities in foreign trade.

Few cities in the world rival Tokyo as a manufacturing center. It is part of a vast industrial and urban belt, called Keihin, that extends along the bay from Tokyo to Yokohama. Much heavy industry, such as steelmaking, is concentrated in this belt. Within the city are thousands of smaller-scale enterprises, which produce such items as processed foods, furniture, printed matter, chemicals, metalwares, precision machinery, photographic equipment, and electric and electronic devices.

Public transportation in Tokyo is excellent, but facilities are usually crowded. Serving the city are many commuter and elevated trains, an extensive subway system, thousands of buses, and a network of expressways. Tokyo is the principal terminal of Japanese National Railways, which provides fast, efficient service throughout Japan. The city's seaport, though overshadowed by the one at nearby Yokohama, handles a large volume of trade. New Tokyo International Airport, at Narita, is the busiest of Japan's international airports. Tokyo International Airport, at Haneda, is the principal terminal for domestic flights.