Kyoto Tops Rankings of Major Japanese Cities

Tokyo, Oct. 3 (Jiji Press)--Kyoto has topped the rankings of major Japanese cities measured by features such as livability and economy, a think tank affiliated with major real estate developer Mori Building Co. said Wednesday. The Institute for Urban Strategies compiled the rankings, which covered 72 cities excluding Tokyo, for the first time. The cities were rated using a total of 83 indicators in six categories--economy and business, transport and accessibility, environment, life and residence, culture and interchange, and research and development--based on statistical results and hearings with local residents. Kyoto, western Japan, was highly rated for its abundant tourism property, including historical and cultural assets, and high levels of university education, the think tank said. Fukuoka came second on the back of its powerful economy, with a number of special deregulation zones set in the southwestern city. Osaka, near Kyoto, ranked third, thanks to robust private consumption and investment, and its convenient transportation network, despite a relatively large number of crimes there. Nagoya came fourth, with many companies in the central Japan city having high global market shares. Yokohama, south of Tokyo, ranked fifth. Ranking sixth was Kobe in western Japan, which is making strenuous efforts to lure tourists, followed by the northern city of Sapporo, which has many tourist spots and related facilities such as hotels. Sendai came eighth as universities in the northeastern city actively release research papers. All of the top eight cities are prefectural capitals. Some cities that are not prefectural capitals also ranked high. Of them, Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture, eastern Japan, ranked ninth, as the city hosts many research facilities, mainly in the field of science and technology. Separately, the Institute for Urban Strategies rated Tokyo's 23 special wards. Topping the list was Chiyoda Ward, which hosts the major business districts of Otemachi and Marunouchi. "We hope the rankings will help cities understand their strengths and weaknesses, and enhance their good points," an official of the institute said. END