What is the capital of Japan? A) Kyoto B) Osaka C) Tokyo D) Hiroshima
VerifiedAnswer: C) Tokyo
Explanation:
The correct answer is Tokyo, which has been Japan's capital city since 1868. Located on the eastern coast of Japan's main island, Honshu, Tokyo serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of the country.
Let's understand why the other options are incorrect. Kyoto was indeed Japan's capital for over 1,000 years, from 794 to 1868, during which it was known as Heian-kyo. This ancient city served as the imperial capital throughout most of Japan's feudal period and remains famous for its beautiful temples, traditional architecture, and cultural heritage. However, when Emperor Meiji moved the imperial court to Tokyo in 1868 during the Meiji Restoration, Kyoto lost its status as the capital.
Osaka, while being one of Japan's largest and most important cities, has never served as the national capital. It's a major commercial and industrial hub located in the Kansai region and is often called "Japan's kitchen" due to its rich food culture. Similarly, Hiroshima, though historically significant and known worldwide due to the atomic bombing in 1945, is a regional city in western Japan and has never been the country's capital.
Tokyo, originally called Edo, was a small fishing village that grew into a major city when it became the seat of the Tokugawa shogunate in 1603. The name "Tokyo" literally means "Eastern Capital" in Japanese, which reflects its geographical position relative to the former capital, Kyoto. Today, Tokyo is not only Japan's capital but also one of the world's largest metropolitan areas, home to over 37 million people in the Greater Tokyo Area.
