首都圏
Meanings
Greater Tokyo Metropolitan Area
Refers specifically to the Tokyo metropolitan region, including surrounding prefectures such as Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa. Common in news, government, and real estate contexts.
The population of the Greater Tokyo Metropolitan Area continues to grow.
The railway network in the Tokyo metropolitan area is highly developed.
metropolitan area (of a capital)
General term for the metropolitan area surrounding any capital city. When used without qualification, it often implies Tokyo, but can refer to other capitals in context.
The London metropolitan area covers a wide area.
Traffic congestion is serious in the metropolitan areas of each country.
Usage patterns
- 首都圏に住むto live in the Greater Tokyo Area
He lives in the Greater Tokyo Area for work.
- 首都圏を中心に〈動詞〉centered on/mainly in the Greater Tokyo Area (doing something)
This product is sold mainly in the Greater Tokyo Area.
- 首都圏の人口が〈動詞〉the population of the Greater Tokyo Area (increases/decreases, etc.)
The population of the Greater Tokyo Area is increasing year by year.