The Global Power City Index (GPCI) evaluates and ranks the major cities of the world according to their “magnetism,” i.e. their comprehensive power which allows them to attract creative individuals and business enterprises from every continent and to mobilize their assets in securing economic, social and environmental development.

The Mori Memorial Foundation’s Institute for Urban Strategies first released its Global Power City Index in 2008 and has continued to update its rankings every year based on new research.

The GPCI continues to evolve as information is updated and improvements are made in data collection methods. In GPCI-2014, a number of indicators and associated data were carefully examined and improved, beginning with the Environment. Additionally, “Urban Intangible Values” which focus on elements such as efficiency, accuracy and speed, and the safety and security of cities, were also experimentally incorporated into the GPCI and calculated in the form of a “GPCI+” ranking.

The research results highlight the challenges faced by Tokyo and other global cities, as well as confirm what makes them appealing. It is hoped that these results can assist in the formulation of future urban policies and corporate strategies.

• London retains its place at the top of the comprehensive ranking from last year and further increases its score to widen the gap with New York at No. 2.
• Tokyo stays at No. 4 place this year in the comprehensive ranking, but jumps from No. 8 to No. 6 in Cultural Interaction, hitherto an area of weakness for the city. This is mainly due to a considerable increase in the number of tourists visiting Japan in 2013.
• In the comprehensive ranking, high-ranking cities, Singapore at No. 5 and Seoul at No. 6, both continue to increase their scores this year and close the gap on Tokyo at No. 4.
• In the “GPCI+” ranking, which emphasizes the “intangible values” (elements that appeal to human senses) of cities, Tokyo comes in at No. 3 in the comprehensive ranking. This can be attributed to Tokyo’s high scores for the Sense of Safety in Public Places, Kindness of Residents, On-Time Performance of International Airport and Ease of Transportation, among others.