Toyokin

Toyokin (トヨキン), officially Toyokin Prefecture (トヨキン県), is the official capital of Takyoto and one of the 32 prefectures of Takyoto. It is the seat of the Takyotan government and the home of the Takyotan president, Mayuro Matsurami. It is the the 2nd largest metropolitan area in the AIN after Liberator's City. Toyokin is located on the western side of the largely populated Shokishima island region along Chōkōsō-wan Bay. Toyokin was originally a city inside of the Toyokin Prefecture, until it's population grew high enough to be an official prefecture itself in 2002.

Toyokin is split up into several wards, many of which are urban and densely populated wards. Although Toyokin is mistaken as a city and metropolitan area, it is actually its own prefecture. However, the Greater Toyokin Area is the metropolitan area and comprises of Toyokin and many other surrounding cities, one of them being Dainia. The Greater Toyokin Area has a total population of around 17 million, the largest in Takyoto and one of the largest in East Asia.

Geography and administrative regions
The southwestern area of Toyokin is located along Chōkōsō-wan Bay, which is used as a major access point for ships coming into the area. The Shokitan Prefecture borders Toyokin to the southeast, the Honbuntan Prefecture to the east, and the Hokusei Prefecture to the north. Toyokin is then divided into several wards which have their own form of government like cities.

Over the prefecture's 2,921 km of land, only 35% of it is hilly and mountainous. The average elevation of the prefecture is 2.6 m. These flat conditions make it easier for any additional growth in the area, and also make it convenient for skyscraper growth. Toyokin's highest point is at Huábù Crest, which is located in the international ward of the prefecture. The height of Huábù Crest is 94 m. In addition to this, the Shokitan mountain range is located not too far from the prefecture's southeastern border, where Mount Jerumi is located. Mount Jerumi is Takyoto's tallest peak.

Seismicity
Toyokin is located right along the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is a highly seismically active region. Thus, the Greater Toyokin Area is susceptible to an earthquake. The 1959 Daishindō earthquake occurred a few kilometers east of the metro area, and caused some major damage in the residential and suburban areas. It was also struck by an earthquake in the 15th century. Since then, earthquake engineering has greatly impacted the safety and prevention of damage during strong earthquakes.

Climate
The entire region of Toyokin lies in a humid subtropical climate zone (Köppen climate classification Cfa). This generally means that Toyokin experiences hot summers and mild winters, with few breezes. Unlike the other cities in its region, Toyokin does not experience any seasonal lag. The warmest month on average is usually July. Temperatures in July can usually average around 38.3 C. The coldest month of the year in the city is January, with temperatures going down to as far as 11.7 C. The lowest temperature ever recorded in Toyokin, was in 1967 when the temperature reached 0.1 C. The highest temperature ever recorded was in 2009 when the temperature rose to 39.1 C. The majority of precipitation in Toyokin usually occurs around fall and spring. Annual rainfall usually averages around 1732 mm. Summers can tend to be very humid, but winter usually just sees rainfall and slight snow in the outer areas. Typhoons are also very common in Toyokin. Typhoon season in Toyokin is usually from late-August to mid-November. The latest major typhoon to hit the region was Typhoon Nohakai, which ripped through many countries in East Asia.

Environment
As the governmental and political center of the country, Toyokin has taken into effect strict policies to cut any form of greenhouse gases. An emissions cap system has been utilized to help with the progress of this change. The city aims to cut its carbon footprint by at least 30% by 2030 from 1998. Unlike its nearby neighbor, Tokyo, Toyokin is not a major urban heat island and does not see any major changes in temperature. Over the past 30 years, the temperature in the city has risen by 0.9ºC. It is trying to maintain an example to show that major agglomerations can keep residents in an eco-friendly environment.

Toyokin has launched the "Green and Free Toyokin Program" in 2012 that will handle much of the city's focus on becoming green. Over 80% of major, busy thoroughfares and highways will be lined with a certain species of tree according to their location and ward. Major urban parks would be expanded by up to 56 acres. New grassy and forestal parks would be set up in the northeastern portion of Toyokin, which has no major parks whatsoever. Millions of trees are expected to be imported to the city in order to complete the program. The program is expected to be finished by 2017.

Demographics
As of December 2011, the official intercensal estimate of Toyokin showed that over 11.29 million people lived within the prefectural limits of Toyokin alone. However, 5.90 million people live outside of the prefecture, but included in the actual metropolitan agglomeration. The daytime population of Toyokin usually averages at around 1.8 million daily. This is a major increase from its nighttime population, which is usually around 673.9 thousand. Wards with the largest swells and differences are Shibuku, Kuniguni, and Ineku.

The entire prefecture, in 2011, had a total population of 11,292,935 residents, with an increase of over 2 million during the daytime. Currently, Toyokin is seeing its highest population ever, beating its previous record from the 1995 Census, when it saw 10.98 million residents. Even though the prefecture alone is a magnet for new residents, surrounding areas in its metropolitan area are also growing in population. Dainia sees a population of 3.95 million, a major increase from the 2000 Census, when it was home to only 1.24 million residents. The whole agglomeration's population totals at 17,198,309 as of 2011.

Over 30% of Toyokin residents are foreign residents that have moved into the city. As of 2011, the largest foreign nationality in Toyokin are Japanese (3.5m). Other major foreign nationalities include South Koreans (483,438), Chinese (274,937), Okataians (120,393), and Americans (116,384).

Toyokin is home to the largest Chinese community in the country. Chūgoku is home to over 95% of all Chinese residents in Toyokin, and is mainly designed in a traditional Chinese cityscape. It is known to act as the Chinatown for Toyokin. The remaining 5% of residents in Chūgoku are Okataians and Takyotan residents. Toyokin is also home to the largest South Korean community in Takyoto. Most of the residential focus for South Koreans is based in Kankoku, a ward neighboring Chūgoku to the east. 82% of residents with South Korean ethnicity live in Kankoku, the remaining 18% left to Takyotans and very few North Koreans.

The largest self-identifying gay and bisexual community is located in Sōfune, Toyokin. There are an estimated 332,924 individuals of the kind living in Sōfune. Same-sex marriages were officially made legal in Toyokin in May 2010. This sparked an increase in appeal for gay and bisexual residents that were thinking of moving into Toyokin.

Economy
Toyokin has a very large metropolitan economy. The Toyokin metropolitan area, which is home to over 17 million residents, had a total GDP of US$938.8 billion (at purchasing power parity). It was the highest GDP in Takyoto, and one of the largest in Asia. As of a report in 2012, 34 major companies that are listed on the Fortune Global 500 are based in Toyokin, with many other companies on the list having a major store in Toyokin.

Toyokin is a major financial center, and the financial capital for the country. Many of the world's investment banks and insurance companies have established minor to major headquarters within the commercial and financial wards of Toyokin. It is also the hub for transportation and publishing of Takyoto. It once was a media capital, but that has since been passed on to neighboring city Dainia. Over the past few years, lower land prices have attracted companies based in Tsynghan or Kōdai to move over to Toyokin. However, it still competes greatly with Nichiro for most companies headquartered in each city.

The Toyokin Stock Exchange is the largest and main stock exchange for Takyoto. It is one of the largest in the AIN, and Asia by market capitalization and share turnover. It does not have a major presence in competition when it comes to world stock market value, as the city and country itself is not as big as to compete. Toyokin has very few acres of agricultural land, instead using empty spaces for forestal or public park uses. However, over 822 ha (2,032 acres) usable farmland have been reserved in the northwestern portion of Toyokin. This still places it higher than other urban cities of its nature in the country. Many vegetables, flowers, and fruits are grown and quickly shipped or driven to their customers. Eggplant and strawberries are widely cultivated on the city's farmland. Over 40% of strawberries grown in the country are grown specifically in northwestern Toyokin.

Roughly about 44% of all land in Toyokin is covered by forests and natural wildlife. The most common trees that can be found in Toyokin's forests are cercidiphyllum and cryptomeria. Also widely grown in Toyokin are cherry blossom (sakura (桜)) trees. The sakura trees can mainly be found grown near and around important and historical sites in Toyokin, and is the main symbol that one is visiting a landmark. Very few trees are cut down to make lumber for construction and other uses, since the government is staying true to its major policy. Much of Chōkōsō-wan Bay is used for the fishing industry, but fishing operations can sometimes extend out into the Pacific. Nori, salmon, and skipjack tuna can be found in the fishing zones, with other fishes also available as well.

Local tourism is a major contributor to the city's economy. Millions of foreigners and national residents visit Toyokin for its many varieties of tourism and attractions. Trillions of giniros have been earned as a result of this major tourism. Although there are plenty of things to do throughout the city, most visitors tend to visit the southeastern portion of Toyokin. This portion of the city is home to many entertainment, resort, and shopping districts that give tourists many things to do while visiting. Tekunoka and Akihaburo are well known for their major shopping and gambling districts. Disunai is home to many parks and resorts, and receives millions of tourists each year. There are also many museums throughout Toyokin that attract both residents and tourists.

Transportation
Toyokin is the center of the Greater Toyokin Area, and thus is the main rail, air transportation, and maritime hub for most of the nation. The public transportation network in Toyokin is known for its cleanliness and efficiency, especially on the rail and metro services operated by many operators. In addition to the rail system, many buses and taxis provide service although to fewer destinations in the area.

Toyokin is the largest international air passenger gateway into the country. Toyokin is currently served by two major airports: Toyokin-Ineku International Airport and Kyūmura International Airport. Over 70 million passengers passed through both airports in 2011, and Toyokin's airspace is the busiest in the country. Over 45% of passengers that flew overseas or to nearby foreign countries flew through Kyūmura International. As of 2013, there are no known plans to add or expand any airport in the area. However, current airspace volume is expected to increase by 20% by 2015.

Rail is the most popular mode of transportation in Toyokin, with many lines and stations that serve the area. Toyokin's primary rail company is Imperial Railway, which is also the national railway provider for the nation. The Toyoda Loop Line circles the entire Greater Toyokin Area, traveling also into cities such as Dainia. In addition to heavy rail transportation, there is also light rail modes such as the Toyokin Metro. Most of the rail services provided to the area has some sort of connection to Shibuku Station, which is the 3rd busiest rail station in the world and the busiest in Takyoto. It also provides the most rail lines within a single station in the entire country. Other major stations include and. Toyokin features a major expressway network that is used for mass transit. The expressways mainly connect wards together and sometimes encircles several wards together in loop routes. Most of the major expressways run from Shibuku, Kuniguni, or Ineku. The expressways are mainly used by suburban residents that commute to work in the financial districts, however some expressways were built mainly for easier transportation of tourists. Traffic jams during rush hour are very common on weekdays and sometimes weekends during the summer breaks.

Even though Toyokin residents rely heavily on its public transit system, roads are also majorly used for transportation. Most roads of major importance are lined with trees and usually consist of 6-8 lanes. Many of the busy streets in Toyokin, including Nokudō Boulevard, Monogatari Avenue, Kinyūchō Road, and Apātotawā Road are used as major thoroughfares. These roads represent the many industries that base their operations along the roads: shopping, entertainment, gambling, residence, finance, and offices.

Education
The entire Toyokin public education system is operated by the Toyokin Bureau of Education. The system is the largest city education system in the country. At the system's elementary and middle schools, over 1.35 million students are taught during school schedules. There are a total of over 980 elementary and middle schools in Toyokin. Charter schools are not very popular in Toyokin, but can be found near the affluent districts. Most charter schools are not operated under the Bureau of Education, instead run under private companies. Other schools that are taught under religious beliefs and other matters are very rare, and mostly located within the ward of Kuniguni. Over 570,000 young adults and teenagers are taught at many of the higher education institutes and establishments in Toyokin, many of which are also operated by the Bureau of Education. A report that took place in 2009 showed the four out of five college students in Kuniguni alone had graduated and found efficient jobs. Three out of five of those students had earned advanced academic degrees. This makes Toyokin a major center for advanced education and is the best choice for college studying in the country. Toyokin is home to numerous different universities and colleges. Famous and notable universities include Toyokin National University, Toyokin Medical College, and Toyokin National University of Engineering. There are some 30 other large and minor universities are located throughout the prefecture and its metropolitan area. This makes it the largest university and college system in Takyoto, and one of the largest in Asia. In addition to major private universities, undergraduate colleges and community colleges are also provided for residents. Some religious companies also provide universities and colleges that teach students under their respective religion. There are roughly 18 religious college institutes in the prefecture alone. Plenty of the scientific research that goes on in Toyokin is generally based on medicine, earthquake engineering, and technology. Toyokin has the second largest post-graduate life science degrees awarded annually in Takyoto, second just after Nichiro, with over 28,000 licensed physicians and 58 Nobel laureates that have roots from local institutions. However, Toyokin and its metropolitan area combined receive the largest annual funding for educational health programs out of all other Takyotan cities. There are an estimated 9 major biomedical research universities in Toyokin. Only one, however, is actually located within the prefecture. As of 2011, Governor Tsunama has no official plans to expand its studies in biomedical research. Earthquake engineering is much more preferred due to the region's high seismic activity. Over ₲232.86 trillion have been spent on creating structures to withstand major earthquakes and tsunamis.

Toyokin sports the largest public library system in Takyoto, and one of the largest in Asia. The Toyokin Public Library Network extends out from the prefecture into the metropolitan area, and some areas in the Hokusei Prefecture. In addition to local and central public libraries, there are also research libraries located in major university institutes.

Culture
Toyokin currently serves as the cultural capital for Takyoto, and one of the major cultural hubs in Asia. The city is filled with plenty of cultural spots and attractions. Many guide books and tours have always pointed out the many cultural landmarks in the city. For many years, local newspapers and articles in the 20th century were convinced that Nichiro was much more the cultural hub at the time. This was soon taken back after 2005, when Toyokin unveiled plenty of new entertainment, art, and media areas to top Nichiro.

Despite the little culture that Toyokin was known for in its early years, it still was the place where many cultural movements were held. Southeastern wards and districts of the city are known for their movements in eccentric fashion styles and behavior. Many musical genre crazes occurred throughout the city as well. The popularization of electronic music was widely accepted at the end of the 20th century. Jazz and rock and roll were also popularized in Toyokin during the final years of World War II.

Tourism
In Toyokin, tourism is one of many critical industries that contribute to the economy. The prefecture alone sees over 27 million international and domestic visitors annually since records began in 2008.

Major landmarks that attract visitors include the Toyokin Disney Resort, World Pleasure Resort & Casino, Monogatari Avenue, Nashi World, many of its museums, theatrical performances, parks such as Kaigansen Park and Baitai Square Park, and Chūgoku and Kankoku. During the holidays, most tourist destinations can be seen decorated accordingly with the holiday event. On occasions, parades can be seen exciting crowds down major thoroughfares in the southern area of Toyokin. One of the busiest intersections in the country is the Iehiroba crossing, located just outside of Iehiroba Station. Dozens of shopping malls are spread throughout the prefecture and metropolitan area, however, most are located in Dainia and its surrounding areas. The coastline of Toyokin is developed with seaports and cruise ship ports. In addition, some ports have added boardwalks and amusement piers.

In 2008, Toyokin saw roughly about 21 million tourists. About 72% of this count were tourists from foreign countries. However, this increased to 28.2 million tourists in 2012, with over 65% of this count being foreign tourists. The governor of Toyokin expects the tourist count to increase into the 30 million's by 2015.

Media
Toyokin and its metropolitan agglomeration is the center of film, television, advertising, newspaper, music, and publishing industries within Takyoto. It also has the largest public and private media network in the country, followed by Nichiro and Tsynghan. Major media conglomerates have based their operations in major wards in Toyokin and its surrounding cities. These conglomerates include the Takyoto Times, the Imperial Group, and TakyotoFilm Corporation. Many global advertising agencies have set up headquarters in the region as well. J-pop, K-pop, and Takyotan music record labels have major operations in the prefecture, but have set up their operating bases in Dainia. Independent film and music productions have been growing in popularity as well in the region.

Architecture
Toyokin has a wide range of different varieties of architectural styles. Most buildings near the urban wards and other majorly developed areas feature modern architecture. However, several pre-modern era buildings such as stone, concrete, and brick buildings still stand in residential wards. Major examples of modern architecture in Toyokin are Nashi World and 3848 Kinyūchō Road. The government of Toyokin has also agreed to preserve most pre-modern era buildings due to most of their importance in history.

The skyline of Toyokin consists of hundreds of skyscrapers and condominiums. Due to the vastness of Toyokin's total area, and the many commercial centers within the prefecture, there are several different dense skylines. The most known out of most of the skylines, is that of Shibuku. In all, Toyokin is home to over 230 skyscrapers that are over 100 m. Toyokin is ranked 11th place, beating Singapore with the number of skyscrapers over 100m tall. Many of the skyscrapers located within Toyokin were built after the 1980s. Most are equipped with earthquake engineering.

The first known skyscraper to be built in Toyokin was the Keisatsusho Tower (警察署塔). It utilized Gothic Revival architecture and reached 48 m high. It was completed just one year after the beginning of World War II. Soon after the Japanese invasion into Takyoto, the building soon collapsed after being burnt and bombed. No other skyscrapers were built until the end of the war. International architecture became popular for new skyscrapers at the time. Contemporary buildings now utilize sustainable designs in order to sustain a good environment for workers and residents.

Most of the residential wards and districts are known for their dense mixture of apartments and townhouses packed into several blocks. There are also plenty of tenements and daichis located in the more low-income areas. Apartments and condominiums are more common near the major entertainment and affluent districts, for most rent prices tend to be quite high. Some mid-rise apartments feature rooftop gardens.

National parks
Toyokin is home to many national parks. Over 10,000 ha (24,710.54 acres) of national parks are located within Toyokin. Most national parks are located along the eastern and northern borders of the city, but some long national parks are also located along the coast. Coastal national parks are protected from any manmade development, and is used for leisure and exploring. Shihon-wan Fort, which is located in Minatoku, is a major historical fort that is well known for being the first invasion point during the Oka-Takyoto War. Oka-Shiseki Park in Daikiriku is a major national park known for once being the site of an Okataian temple and shrine. The ruins are still located there, but the Oka Pagoda still stands and is the icon of the park.

In addition to historical national parks, the city also sports hundreds of national monuments that are used as major symbols for their respective wards. The Stone Sakura National Monument, which is located just outside of the National Department in Yamasi. The Stone Sakura is known for being a large stone sculpture that is made to resemble a cherry blossom or sakura. On the opposite face of the National Department, is the statue of the President. It is updated every year to feature a sculpture of the current president. As of 2013, the sculpture is that of Mayuro Matsurami.

Twin towns and sister cities
Toyokin is currently twinned with the following cities and states:


 * 🇯🇵 Japan Tokyo, Japan (since 1975)
 * 🇨🇳 China Beijing, China (since 1978)
 * 🇰🇷 South Korea Seoul, South Korea (since 1983)
 * 🇺🇸 USA New York City, United States (since 1985)
 * New Holland Albany, New Holland (since 1993)
 * 🇫🇷 France Paris, France (since 1995)