list of historical capitals of Japan From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The capital of Japan is Tokyo.[1] In the course of history, the national capital has been in many locations other than Tokyo.
This article is about the Japanese national capital in general. For the current capital, see Tokyo.
Traditionally, the home of the Emperor was considered the capital. From 794 through 1868, the Emperor lived in Kyoto.[2] After 1868, the seat of the Government of Japan and the location of the Emperor's home was Tokyo.[1]
In 1941, the Ministry of Education published the "designation of Tokyo as capital" (東京奠都, Tōkyō-tento).[3]
After World War II, the new Constitution of Japan transferred the state's sovereignty from the Emperor to the people. The people of Japan are represented by the Diet of Japan in Tokyo. Consensus considers the site of the Diet is the capital of Japan.
Capital area
No law makes Tokyo as the Japanese capital. However, many laws have defined a "capital area" (首都圏, shutoken) which incorporates Tokyo.[4]
Article 2 of the Capital Area Consolidation Law (首都圏整備法) 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."[5]
Laws which identify 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).[6]
Legendary
This list of legendary capitals of Japan begins with the reign of Emperor Jimmu. The names of the Imperial palaces are in parentheses.