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What role does Kawasaki play in the Tokyo-Yokohama Metropolitan Area?
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Tokyo-Yokohama Metropolitan Area
Portion of the Tokyo skyline at dusk; Tokyo Tower is at the right.
Kawasaki plays a pivotal role in the Tokyo-Yokohama Metropolitan Area as a central hub for industry and transportation. Located on the western shore of Tokyo Bay between Tokyo and Yokohama, the city serves as a core component of the Keihin Industrial Zone.123
Its primary functions include:
- Industrial Production: Kawasaki is a major center for heavy industry, including steel mills, oil refineries, and petrochemical complexes along its reclaimed coastline. Further inland, the city hosts automobile, machine, tool, and light chemical industries.13
- Transportation Connectivity: The city acts as a vital link within the metropolitan region. It is connected to Kisarazu via the Trans-Tokyo Bay Highway, which facilitates access to the international airport at Narita.42
- Residential and Urban Space: While its coastal areas are heavily industrialized, the inland sections of Kawasaki are largely residential and suburban in character, supporting the population of the greater metropolitan area.14