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Tokyo, the megacity that works

by AFP

On a satellite image of the Earth at night, there is no brighter spot. Greater Tokyo, home to an astonishing 35 million people, is by far the biggest urban area on the planet. The most amazing thing about it, say its many fans, is that it works. Although Tokyo dwarfs the other top megacities of Mumbai, Mexico City, Sao Paulo and New York, it has less air pollution, noise, traffic jams, litter or crime, lots of green space and a humming public transport system. American writer Donald Richie, who first came to Tokyo in 1947 and recently published the coffee table book "Tokyo Megacity", has dubbed Japan's massive capital and primary city the "livable megalopolis". Many visitors marvel at the politeness and civility that, along with the nation's wealth, have helped Tokyo avoid the pitfalls of other big cities that have become polluted, noisy and dangerous urban nightmares. Amid the neon-lit street canyons, thoroughfares for millions every day, small shrines and quaint neighbourhoods survive as oases of tranquility, largely shielded from blights such as graffiti and vandalism. (AFP)

Japan's crown prince thanks German president for quake assistance

by Kyodo

Crown Prince Naruhito paid a courtesy call on German President Christian Wulff in Berlin on Wednesday, conveying his appreciation for Germany's relief assistance in the wake of the March earthquake and tsunami. "I offer my gratitude for the various kinds of assistance, including the dispatch of a rescue team, and condolences expressed by Germany," the crown prince was quoted by Japan's Imperial Household Agency as telling Wulff at the president's office. (Kyodo)