Tokyo is a unique world city, distinct from other urban centers in many ways, not the least of which is its 12 million residents. Indeed, around 1/4 of Japan's citizens live within commuting distance from the city. Until 1868, Tokyo was known as Edo, which, by the 15th century, was only a small castle town in Japan. The town was transformed into a political and commercial capital of Japan in the 1600s, when a feudal government was established there. Edo (later Tokyo) was finally named capital of Japan in the Meiji restoration of 1868. Despite the city's bright lights and flowing urbanity, it has seen its share of tragedy as well, including the Great Kanto Earthquake (1923), and the WWII Air Raids (1945).
