Tokyo named one of the world's most dynamic cities

Many members of the City-Cost community already know Tokyo is a city with a certain something special to it, so it’s probably not a surprise to see it gain various accolades and awards. On that note, the 2025 Cities in Motion Index was recently released by Spain’s IESE Business School, and Tokyo ranked an impressive fourth out of 183 cities worldwide.

This annual report evaluates how well cities support the people who live and work in them through several categories, including things like transportation, governance, economy, environment, technology, and social cohesion. Long story short, it measures how well a city performs for people not just on paper, but via people’s daily experience.

Tokyo’s high ranking is a good reminder of what we might start to take for granted after living here for a while. Things like the punctuality of the train system, the relative affordability and safety of city life, or the abundance of both local and international amenities show that the city functions with a level of efficiency that many other urban areas can't match. 

One thing I liked about the report was its focus on the environment and sustainability, which are qualities that often go unnoticed until you’ve been here for a while. Tokyo may not always strike newcomers as a "green" city, but things like well-maintained parks and energy-efficient public transport show a commitment to long-term livability.

What do you think makes Tokyo special compared to other cities around the world?