Transportation and regional agglomeration in Japan: Through a long‐term simulation model 1920–85

The present article reviews the effects of wartime and post‐war policies on regional agglomeration of landuse and transportation activities in Japan. For this purpose the authors have formulated a long‐term model over the period 1920–85, and conducted its final test. After confirming the accuracy of the entire model, it is used to evaluate the wartime policies which caused excessive employment agglomeration in Tokyo, and post‐war policies concerning the high speed Shinkansen rail network. We conclude that the choices of alternative policies would have led to a more balanced regional structure than there is now, with less agglomeration in both Tokyo and the Kanto region.