Tokyo has risen to second place in the Global Power City Index (GPCI), marking its highest-ever position since the ranking began in 2008, according to results released on Wednesday by the Mori Memorial Foundation’s Institute for Urban Strategies, a research body of Mori Building Co.

The Japanese capital was highly praised for its tourist attractions, vibrant nightlife and vast range of restaurants, allowing it to overtake New York for the first time in the history of the survey. Tokyo had previously held third place overall for nine consecutive years until last year.

The comprehensive index evaluates 48 major cities around the world across six categories: economy, research and development, cultural interaction, livability, environment, and accessibility. Based on combined scores in these areas, cities are ranked for their overall global competitiveness and attractiveness.

Tokyo moved up one spot this year, driven largely by its top-tier performance in cultural interaction. The city earned particularly strong scores for its tourist appeal, nightlife scene, and high number of inbound visitors. According to an ANN report, experts noted that Tokyo’s recovery in international tourism and the diversity of its urban culture played a key role in boosting its overall standing.

Notably, Tokyo also achieved first place in the livability category for the first time, supported by its abundance of restaurants, retail outlets and everyday urban conveniences. Analysts said this reflects the city’s strong balance between economic vitality and quality of life.

Despite remaining in second place, Tokyo narrowed the gap with top-ranked London to its smallest margin since the GPCI was first introduced in 2008, signaling the Japanese capital’s growing global influence and competitiveness among the world’s leading cities.

BOB Post