<ul><li>Relaxation of zoning laws</li><li>Investment in rail. </li><li>Approaching the development of poorer neighbourhoods as gradual and in-situ in nature.</li><li>Using data to plan resources and manage the ageing population.  </li></ul>

Key Steps Japan took to Make Tokyo More Liveable

<img width="724" height="407" src="https://www.economist.com/img/b/1280/720/90/sites/default/files/images/print-edition/20211211_SRP004_0.jpg" srcset="https://www.economist.com/img/b/200/113/90/sites/default/files/images/print-edition/20211211_SRP004_0.jpg 200w, https://www.economist.com/img/b/300/169/90/sites/default/files/images/print-edition/20211211_SRP004_0.jpg 300w, https://www.economist.com/img/b/400/225/90/sites/default/files/images/print-edition/20211211_SRP004_0.jpg 400w, https://www.economist.com/img/b/600/338/90/sites/default/files/images/print-edition/20211211_SRP004_0.jpg 600w, https://www.economist.com/img/b/640/360/90/sites/default/files/images/print-edition/20211211_SRP004_0.jpg 640w, https://www.economist.com/img/b/800/450/90/sites/default/files/images/print-edition/20211211_SRP004_0.jpg 800w, https://www.economist.com/img/b/1000/563/90/sites/default/files/images/print-edition/20211211_SRP004_0.jpg 1000w, https://www.economist.com/img/b/1280/720/90/sites/default/files/images/print-edition/20211211_SRP004_0.jpg 1280w" alt=""><p data-caps="initial" dir="ltr"><span data-caps="initial" dir="ltr">“O</span><small dir="ltr">NLY THUMBS</small> stood up from the flatlands—the chimneys of bath-houses, heavy house safes and an occasional stout building with heavy iron shutters,” wrote Russell Brines, the first foreign journalist to enter Tokyo after the second world war. From a pre-war population of 7m people, only 3.5m were left. As Tokyo rebuilt, the city was rife with violence and slum-like living conditions. Ahead of the 1964 Olympics, officials rushed to spruce up the infrastructure and clean up the streets, clamping down on then-widespread practices such as public urination.</p><p>Tokyo is now the world’s largest city, with 37m residents in the metropolitan area and 14m in the city proper. It is also one of the world’s most liveable, with punctual public transport, safe neighbourhoods, clean streets and more restaurants and Michelin stars than any other. In the liveability index of the Economist Intelligence Unit, our sister group, Tokyo comes joint fourth, but its population is larger than the combined populations of the others (Adelaide, Auckland, Osaka and Wellington). “It’s possible to have a liveable city at any scale—Tokyo proves that,” says Gabriel Metcalf, at Committee for Sydney, an Australian think-tank.</p><div><span>The Economist today</span></div><h2>Handpicked stories, in your inbox</h2><p>A daily newsletter with the best of our journalism</p><div><button>Sign up</button></div>

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<p><span>“O </span><small>NLY THUMBS </small>stood up from the flatlands—the chimneys of bath-houses, heavy house safes and an occasional stout building with heavy iron shutters,” wrote Russell Brines, the first foreign journalist to enter Tokyo after the second world war. From a pre-war population of 7m people, only 3.5m were left. As Tokyo rebuilt, the city was rife with violence and slum-like living conditions. Ahead of the 1964 Olympics, officials rushed to spruce up the infrastructure and clean up the streets, clamping down on then-widespread practices such as public urination. </p>

<p>Tokyo is now the world’s largest city, with 37m residents in the metropolitan area and 14m in the city proper. It is also one of the world’s most liveable, with punctual public transport, safe neighbourhoods, clean streets and more restaurants and Michelin stars than any other. In the liveability index of the Economist Intelligence Unit, our sister group, Tokyo comes joint fourth, but its population is larger than the combined populations of the others (Adelaide, Auckland, Osaka and Wellington). “It’s possible to have a liveable city at any scale—Tokyo proves that,” says Gabriel Metcalf, at Committee for Sydney, an Australian think-tank. </p>

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The big city that is also pleasant to live in

Key Steps Japan took to Make Tokyo More Liveable

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