Japan Cities: Can Osaka Emerge From Tokyo’s Shadow

Osaka has long suffered from second-city syndrome.

In the shadow of Japan’s capital, where wealth and power are centralized, Osaka has wilted. Tokyo controls more, earns more, spends more. During the nation’s economic downturn, Osaka was harder hit, as competitiveness declined in industries like home electronics; companies increasingly moved their headquarters to Tokyo, and what was once a city of commerce teetered on the brink.