How Does Japanese Cultural Principles Improve Japanese Human-centric Urban Development in Tokyo, Japan?

Abstract

People grown up in their hometown will get used to the living environment, socio-economic atmosphere, and culture in their childhood, and still miss their hometown when they become adults, which is called topophilia. However, the current circumstances have seemed to be derailing from the bare-bone concept of the original craved-for human-centric designs and planning. In this article, we talk about how Japanese unique cultural principles, including harmony (“Wa”), order (“Kansei”), atheistic (“Wabi Sabi”), resilience, and pursue of excellence, guide Japanese urban environment and their socio-economic atmosphere, and further shape Japanese citizen’s topophilia for their hometown. These precious Japanese culture principles also encourage Japan’s urban development towards more and more sustainable and human-centric. This article uses the Tokyo as a case to establish a good image for other cities who wants to achieve the human centric urban development, it is also meaningful in exploring the relationship between human and city in Japan and inspire the governments to construct the city suitable for their citizens.