LITMIR.BIZ

       THE CAPITAL OF COOL

      Tokyo is a city of wonderful and often bemusing contrasts and contradictions. Traditional Japanese gardens and ancient temples sit at ease in the shadows of towering skyscrapers. The conservative suits that fill the subway at rush hour can often be punctuated by a colorful kimono. There is a set way of doing almost everything, yet fashion-wise absolutely anything can go. The list goes on. The Japanese like to think of themselves as being unique (sometimes a touch too much), but thanks to a patchwork of districts, each with its own personality, not to mention an unorchestrated blend of new, old, home-grown and imported, their capital is undoubtedly one of the most distinctive cities on the planet.

THE WORLD’S ULTIMATE CITY

      Metropolis. Mega city. Call Tokyo what you will, but there is no disputing the status of Japan’s capital as one of the world’s great cities. Just over 13 million people call Tokyo home, nearly 35 million if you count the neighboring prefectures of Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba, which with Tokyo make up the most common definition of the Greater Tokyo area, an unbroken urban sprawl that spreads mile upon mile west, north and east from the center of Tokyo.

       Japan is a pioneer in the field of robotics. Honda’s humanoid Asimo robot, pictured here performing at the Miraikan in Odaiba (page 78), can talk, dance and even kick a football. Do not be surprised to soon see robots working as home helpers, receptionists and performing many other roles in Tokyo.

      Tokyo’s current place in the world, only 70 years after the city was all but decimated by war (90 after it was leveled by an earthquake), is nothing short of miraculous. From a business perspective, the Tokyo Stock Exchange has become

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