Tokyo is very different from Western capitals, but what really sets it apart is its people. Approximately 12 million people reside within Tokyo's 1,288 sq. km (800 sq. miles), and almost one-fourth of Japan's total population live within commuting distance of the city. Today it has become Japan's center for political, economic, cultural and various other activities. And yet, despite its limited space for harmonious living, Tokyo remains one of the safest cities in the world, with remarkably little crime or violence. Hardworking, honest, and helpful to strangers, the Japanese are their country's greatest asset