The population of Chuo Ward in central Tokyo reached 174,074 residents as of January 1, 2023. This has exceeded a previous record of 172,183 set in January 1953.

The period of rapid economic growth following WWII and the bubble economy of the 1980s saw property prices skyrocket, causing the population to hollow out as residents moved to more affordable suburban districts. By 1997, the resident population had dropped by more than half to 72,000. 

To curb the declining population, the Chuo government introduced a floor area ratio allowance of 20 ~ 40% for residential developments in designated zones, encouraging more apartments to be built. This was so effective that the allowance was removed in 2019 to slow the rapidly growing population. 

In the early 2000s, the development of a number of high-rise apartment towers saw new residents move into the ward, with the population recovering to the 100,000 range in 2006. Much of the population in Chuo is centered on the manmade islands on Tokyo Bay. In the Kachidoki address, the population grew from 9,000 in 2000 to over 27,000 by January 2023. 

High-rise apartment construction is expected to continue, and along with it the residents that move into the new towers. The Kachidoki and Harumi addresses are expected to see another 15,000 new residents in the coming years. Chuo Ward’s population is forecast to grow by 15% to reach 200,000 by 2027.

Sources:
The Asahi Shimbun, January 5, 2023.
The Tokyo Shimbun, January 5, 2023.

Loading