Marunouchi
Encyclopedia
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
located in Chiyoda
Chiyoda, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards in central Tokyo, Japan. In English, it is called Chiyoda ward. As of October 2007, the ward has an estimated population of 45,543 and a population density of 3,912 people per km², making it by far the least populated of the special wards...
between Tokyo Station
Tokyo Station
is a train station located in the Marunouchi business district of Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan, near the Imperial Palace grounds and the Ginza commercial district....
and the Imperial Palace
Kokyo
is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan. It is a large park-like area located in the Chiyoda area of Tokyo close to Tokyo Station and contains several buildings including the main palace , the emperor left Kyoto Imperial Palace for Tokyo...
. The name, meaning "inside the circle", derives from its location within the palace's outer moat. It is a center of Japan's financial industry, as the country's three largest bank
Bank
A bank is a financial institution that serves as a financial intermediary. The term "bank" may refer to one of several related types of entities:...
s are headquartered there.
History
In 1590, before Tokugawa IeyasuTokugawa Ieyasu
was the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan , which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Ieyasu seized power in 1600, received appointment as shogun in 1603, abdicated from office in 1605, but...
entered Edo Castle
Edo Castle
, also known as , is a flatland castle that was built in 1457 by Ōta Dōkan. It is located in Chiyoda in Tokyo, then known as Edo, Toshima District, Musashi Province. Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Tokugawa shogunate here. It was the residence of the shogun and location of the shogunate, and also...
, the area now known as Marunouchi was an inlet of Edo Bay
Tokyo Bay
is a bay in the southern Kantō region of Japan. Its old name was .-Geography:Tokyo Bay is surrounded by the Bōsō Peninsula to the east and the Miura Peninsula to the west. In a narrow sense, Tokyo Bay is the area north of the straight line formed by the on the Miura Peninsula on one end and on...
and had the name Hibiya. With the expansion of the castle, this inlet was filled, beginning in 1592.
A new outer moat was constructed, and the earlier moat became the inner moat. The area took the name Okuruwauchi ("within the enclosure").
Daimyo
Daimyo
is a generic term referring to the powerful territorial lords in pre-modern Japan who ruled most of the country from their vast, hereditary land holdings...
, particularly shinpan
Shinpan (daimyo)
The daimyo were certain relatives of the Tokugawa shoguns of Japan. While all shinpan were relatives of the shogun, not all relatives of the shogun were shinpan; an example of this is the Matsudaira clan of the Okutono Domain. The shinpan lords were also known as kamon daimyō — non-daimyo...
and fudai, constructed their mansions here, and with 24 such estates, the area also became known as daimyō kōji ("daimyo alley"). The offices of the North and South Magistrates, and that of the Finance Magistrate, were also here.
Following the Meiji Restoration
Meiji Restoration
The , also known as the Meiji Ishin, Revolution, Reform or Renewal, was a chain of events that restored imperial rule to Japan in 1868...
, Marunouchi came under control of the national government, which erected barracks and parade grounds for the army
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
.
Those moved in 1890, and Iwasaki Yanosuke
Iwasaki Yanosuke
was a Japanese businessman, central banker and the 4th Governor of the Bank of Japan . He was created a Baron in 1900; and he was a member of Japan's House of Peers.-Early life:Iwasaki was born in Kochi Prefecture...
, brother of the founder (and later the second leader) of Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi
The Mitsubishi Group , Mitsubishi Group of Companies, or Mitsubishi Companies is a Japanese multinational conglomerate company that consists of a range of autonomous businesses which share the Mitsubishi brand, trademark and legacy...
, purchased the land for 1.5 million yen
Japanese yen
The is the official currency of Japan. It is the third most traded currency in the foreign exchange market after the United States dollar and the euro. It is also widely used as a reserve currency after the U.S. dollar, the euro and the pound sterling...
. As the company developed the land, it came to be known as Mitsubishi-ga-hara (the "Mitsubishi Fields").
Much of the land remains under the control of Mitsubishi Estate
Mitsubishi Estate Co.
is a Japanese corporation. It is one of the core Mitsubishi companies. Mitsubishi Estate has its headquarters in the Otemachi Building in Ōtemachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo.-Business:...
, and the headquarters of many companies in the Mitsubishi Group are in Marunouchi.
The government of Tokyo constructed its headquarters on the site of the former Kōchi
Kochi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the south coast of Shikoku. The capital is the city of Kōchi.- History :Prior to the Meiji Restoration, Kōchi was known as Tosa Province and was controlled by the Chosokabe clan in the Sengoku period and the Yamauchi family during the Edo period.- Geography...
han in 1894. They moved it to the present Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
The , also referred to as Tokyo City Hall or Tochō for short, houses the headquarters of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which governs not only the 23 wards, but also the cities, towns and villages that make up Tokyo as a whole....
in Shinjuku
Shinjuku, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. It is a major commercial and administrative center, housing the busiest train station in the world and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the administration center for the government of Tokyo.As of 2008, the ward has an estimated population...
in 1991, and the new Tokyo International Forum
Tokyo International Forum
The is a multi-purpose center in Tokyo, Japan.One of its halls seats 5,000. In addition to seven other halls, it includes exhibition space, a lobby, restaurants, shops, and other facilities....
and Toyota Tsusho
Toyota Tsusho
Toyota Tsusho Corporation , , based in Nagoya and Tokyo, is a sōgō shōsha , a member of the Toyota Group. It is one of the largest trading companies in Japan, and the 6th largest in the world...
Corporation now stands on the site. Nearly a quarter of Japan's GDP is generated in this area.
Tokyo Station
Tokyo Station
is a train station located in the Marunouchi business district of Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan, near the Imperial Palace grounds and the Ginza commercial district....
opened in 1914, and the Marunouchi Building in 1923.
Places in Marunouchi
- Marunouchi Oazo
- Marunouchi BuildingMarunouchi BuildingThe is a skyscraper located in Marunouchi, Tokyo, Japan. Construction of the 180-metre, 37-storey skyscraper was finished in 2002.-External links:...
- Shin-Marunouchi BuildingShin-Marunouchi BuildingThe , or New Marunouchi Building, is the highest building of the Chiyoda ward in Tokyo. The building was completed on April 19, 2007, and open to the public on April 27, 2007. It is often called as "Shin Maru Biru" in short.- Overview :...
- Tokyo Central Post Office (closed)
- Tokyo International ForumTokyo International ForumThe is a multi-purpose center in Tokyo, Japan.One of its halls seats 5,000. In addition to seven other halls, it includes exhibition space, a lobby, restaurants, shops, and other facilities....
- Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, TokyoMitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, TokyoThe is a recently completed art museum in Tokyo's Marunouchi district. Construction was completed in 2009 and the museum open April 6, 2010. The museum includes approximately of exhibition space, spread over 20 rooms, throughout the building's floorplan....
- Tokyo Station, the city's main intercity rail terminal
Companies based in Marunouchi
CalbeeCalbee
Calbee Foods Co. is a major Japanese snack food maker. It was founded on April 30, 1949. It launched operations at a new plant in the United States for making its mainstay products "Kappa Ebisen" shrimp chips and "Saya-endo" snow pea crisps on Sept 18, 2007. Its snacks are hugely popular in Asia,...
has its headquarters in the Marunouchi Trust Tower Main. Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta
is a Japanese manufacturer of office equipment, medical imaging, graphic imaging, optical devices, and measuring instruments. It is headquartered in the Marunouchi Center Building in Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo, with a Kansai office in Nishi-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture...
has its headquarters in the Marunouchi Center Building in Marunouchi.
- Mitsubishi GroupMitsubishiThe Mitsubishi Group , Mitsubishi Group of Companies, or Mitsubishi Companies is a Japanese multinational conglomerate company that consists of a range of autonomous businesses which share the Mitsubishi brand, trademark and legacy...
companies:- The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ
- Meiji Yasuda Life InsuranceMeiji Yasuda Life Insurance Companyis a Japanese life insurance company, headquartered in Tokyo and created in 2004 from the merger of Meiji Life and Yasuda Life. The company is one of the oldest and largest insurers in Japan.-History:...
- Mitsubishi CorporationMitsubishi Corporationis Japan's largest trading company , a member of the Mitsubishi keiretsu. Mitsubishi Corporation employs over 50,000 people and has seven business segments including finance, banking, energy, machinery, chemicals, food and more....
- Mitsubishi ElectricMitsubishi Electricis a multinational electronics and information technology company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is one of the core companies of the Mitsubishi Group....
- Nippon YusenNippon YusenJapan-based or NYK Line, is one of the largest shipping companies in the world. It is a core Mitsubishi company. The company has its headquarters in Chiyoda, Tokyo.-1870-1900:...
- Tokio Marine Nichido
- HitachiHitachiHitachi is a multinational corporation specializing in high-technology.Hitachi may also refer to:*Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan*Hitachi province, former province of Japan*Prince Hitachi and Princess Hitachi, members of the Japanese imperial family...
- Nikko CitigroupNikko Citigroupis a financial services firm in Japan. It is a joint venture between Citigroup and the Nikko Cordial Corporation.Nikko Cordial and Citigroup first established a joint venture in Japan in 1999 as Salomon Smith Barney Japan Ltd., a company registered and domiciled in the Cayman Islands which operated...
- Toyota TsushoToyota TsushoToyota Tsusho Corporation , , based in Nagoya and Tokyo, is a sōgō shōsha , a member of the Toyota Group. It is one of the largest trading companies in Japan, and the 6th largest in the world...
Marunouchi also houses the Japan offices of Aeroméxico
Aeroméxico
Airways of Mexico, SA de CV , operating as Aeroméxico, is the flag carrier airline of Mexico based in Colonia Cuauhtémoc, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City. It operates scheduled domestic and international services to North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia...
(Pacific Century Place Marunouchi
Pacific Century Place Marunouchi
is a skyscraper in Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo.The Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi is within the building.The building houses Aeroméxico's Japan offices.-External links:* - Emporis...
), Citigroup
Citigroup
Citigroup Inc. or Citi is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. Citigroup was formed from one of the world's largest mergers in history by combining the banking giant Citicorp and financial conglomerate...
, Nikko Cordial
Nikko Cordial
was a third largest Japanese brokerage firm and the holding company for Nikko Cordial Securities and subsidiaries. In 2008, Nikko Cordial Corporation became a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup Inc., upon completion of share exchange and it merged with Citigroup Japan Holdings Ltd. to form Nikko...
, Nikko Citigroup
Nikko Citigroup
is a financial services firm in Japan. It is a joint venture between Citigroup and the Nikko Cordial Corporation.Nikko Cordial and Citigroup first established a joint venture in Japan in 1999 as Salomon Smith Barney Japan Ltd., a company registered and domiciled in the Cayman Islands which operated...
, Banca Commerciale Italiana
Banca Commerciale Italiana
Banca Commerciale Italiana, founded in 1894, was once one of the largest banks in Italy. In 1999 it merged with a banking group consisting of Cassa di Risparmio delle Provincie Lombarde and Banco Ambroveneto, the former Banco Ambrosiano, which had merged in 1998. On 1 January 2003, the group's...
, Rabobank
Rabobank
Rabobank is a financial services provider with offices worldwide. Their main location is in the Netherlands. They are a global leader in Food and Agri financing and in sustainability-oriented banking...
, JPMorgan Chase, Bank Negara Indonesia
Bank Negara Indonesia
Bank Negara Indonesia , commonly known as BNI, is an Indonesian bank. It branches primarily in Indonesia, but it can also found in Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, London and New York. It had 1,000 branches and 9 million customers in 2006. It is quoted on the Indonesia Stock Exchange as...
, Bank of India
Bank of India
Bank of India is a state-owned commercial bank with headquarters in Mumbai. Government-owned since nationalization in 1969, It is India's 4th largest bank, after State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and Bank of Baroda. It has 3415 branches, including 29 branches outside India...
, Bayerische Landes Bank
BayernLB
BayernLB or Bayerische Landesbank is a publicly regulated bank based in Munich, Germany and one of the eight Landesbanken. It is 94% owned by the free state of Bavaria and 6% owned by the Sparkassenverband Bayern, the umbrella organization of Bavarian Sparkassen...
, Bloomberg
Bloomberg L.P.
Bloomberg L.P. is an American privately held financial software, media, and data company. Bloomberg makes up one third of the $16 billion global financial data market with estimated revenue of $6.9 billion. Bloomberg L.P...
, BT Asia Securities
BT Group
BT Group plc is a global telecommunications services company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is one of the largest telecommunications services companies in the world and has operations in more than 170 countries. Through its BT Global Services division it is a major supplier of...
, First National Bank of Boston, KPMG
KPMG
KPMG is one of the largest professional services networks in the world and one of the Big Four auditors, along with Deloitte, Ernst & Young and PwC. Its global headquarters is located in Amstelveen, Netherlands....
, Latham & Watkins
Latham & Watkins
Latham & Watkins LLP is a global law firm, one of the largest in the world. Latham currently employs approximately 2,000 attorneys in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The firm was started in Los Angeles in 1934 and has extensive Californian roots, but its largest office is now...
, Mellon Bank, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, Morrison & Foerster, Overseas Union Bank, Philadelphia National Bank, PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers is a global professional services firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest professional services firm measured by revenues and one of the "Big Four" accountancy firms....
, Ropes & Gray, Royal Bank of Scotland Group, Royal Insurance, Standard Chartered Bank
Standard Chartered Bank
Standard Chartered PLC is a multinational financial services company headquartered in London, United Kingdom with operations in more than seventy countries...
, Standard & Poor's
Standard & Poor's
Standard & Poor's is a United States-based financial services company. It is a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies that publishes financial research and analysis on stocks and bonds. It is well known for its stock-market indices, the US-based S&P 500, the Australian S&P/ASX 200, the Canadian...
, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited , commonly referred to as Deloitte, is one of the Big Four accountancy firms along with PricewaterhouseCoopers , Ernst & Young, and KPMG....
, Bain & Company
Bain & Company
Bain & Company is a global management consulting firm headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Bain is considered one of the most prestigious consulting firms in the world, with 47 offices in 30 countries and over 5,500 professionals on staff globally...
.
Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines
is an airline headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan. It is the flag carrier of Japan and its main hubs are Tokyo's Narita International Airport and Tokyo International Airport , as well as Nagoya's Chūbu Centrair International Airport and Osaka's Kansai International Airport...
used to have its headquarters in the Tokyo Building in Marunouchi.
Rail and subway stations
- Nijūbashimae StationNijubashimae Stationis an underground railway station in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan, operated by Tokyo Metro.-Station layout:-Adjacent stations:-See also:...
(Chiyoda Line) - Otemachi StationOtemachi Station (Tokyo)is a station on the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. It is served by five lines, more than any other station on the Tokyo underground network...
(Chiyoda Line, Hanzomon Line, Marunouchi Line, Toei Mita LineToei Mita LineThe is a subway line of the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation network in Tokyo, Japan. The line runs between Nishi-Takashimadaira in Itabashi and Meguro in Shinagawa. Trains continue with direct service into the Meguro Line of Tokyu Corporation for...
, Tozai Line) - Tokyo StationTokyo Stationis a train station located in the Marunouchi business district of Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan, near the Imperial Palace grounds and the Ginza commercial district....
(Chūō LineChuo Main LineThe , commonly called the Chūō Line, is one of the major trunk railway lines in Japan. It runs between Tokyo and Nagoya, although it is the slowest direct railway connection between the two cities; the coastal Tōkaidō Main Line is slightly faster, while the Tōkaidō Shinkansen is the fastest rail...
, Keihin-Tohoku LineKeihin-Tohoku LineThe , is a railway line in Japan which connects the cities of Saitama, Kawaguchi, Tokyo, Kawasaki, and Yokohama. It is part of the East Japan Railway Company network. The line's name is derived from the characters for , and the...
, Keiyo LineKeiyo LineThe is a railway line connecting Tokyo and Chiba, Japan, running mainly along the edge of Tokyo Bay. It is operated by the East Japan Railway Company .It provides the main rail access to the Tokyo Disney Resort and the Makuhari Messe exhibition center...
, Marunouchi Line, ShinkansenShinkansenThe , also known as THE BULLET TRAIN, is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan operated by four Japan Railways Group companies. Starting with the Tōkaidō Shinkansen in 1964, the network has expanded to currently consist of of lines with maximum speeds of , of Mini-shinkansen with a...
, Sōbu Line, Yamanote LineYamanote LineThe is commuter rail loop line in Tokyo, Japan, operated by East Japan Railway Company . It is one of Tokyo's busiest and most important lines, connecting most of Tokyo's major stations and urban centres, including the Yūrakuchō/Ginza area, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro, with all but two of its...
, Yokosuka LineYokosuka LineThe is a railway line in Japan operated by the East Japan Railway Company .The Yokosuka Line connects in Chūō, Tokyo and in Yokosuka, Kanagawa...
)