Within Japan, climate and natural features differ widely from region to region. And regions differ in their history and culture, too.

Tokyo, the nation's capital, is the political and economic center of Japan. It is also the most populous part of the country; nearly one quarter of the Japanese--around 30 million people--live within 50 kilometers of Tokyo.

The heavy concentration of people in urban areas has produced many problems, such as cramped living space and congested roads and trains. Nonetheless, many young people from small villages and towns continue to flock to urban areas to look for work, and rural populations are falling.

Efforts are being made to revive rural areas through the use of what are called "Special Zones for Structural Reform." These zones, which came into effect in 2003, allow for certain rules to be relaxed or abolished in limited areas. The goal is for local areas to be able to make use of their unique circumstances and attract businesses, something that will lead to regional revitalization. Some of the first efforts include a port that is open 24 hours a day and a public school that teaches most of its lessons in English.

Photos courtesy of Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

• Why has Tokyo become so populous?
• Does the Japanese language have dialects?
• How do people in Japan cope with heavy snows and typhoons?
• Please tell us about Tokyo, the capital of Japan.
• What special characteristics do each of the regions have?
  (Click on the map)

  Detailed map of Japan