is a special ward of Tokyo, Japan. It is also called Minato City in English.
Minato was formed in 1947 as a merger of Akasaka, Azabu and Shiba wards following Tokyo City's transformation into Tokyo Metropolis. The modern Minato ward exhibits the contrasting Shitamachi and Yamanote geographical and cultural division. The Shinbashi neighborhood in the ward's northeastern corner is attached to the core of Shitamachi, the original commercial center of Edo-Tokyo. On the other hand, the Azabu and Akasaka areas are typically representative Yamanote districts.
, Minato had an official population of 269,708,Minato Ward website Population of Minato as of September 1, 2025 and a population density of 13,235 persons per km2. The total area is 20.37 km2.
Known as one of Tokyo's largest business areas, Minato is home to the headquarters of many large domestic companies, including Honda, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, NEC, Nikon, SoftBank Group, Sony and Fujitsu. Minato is also known for being one of the wealthiest residential areas in Japan, and for its relatively high concentration of foreign expats due to the number of embassies and multinational corporations located in and around the area. Notable neighborhoods and districts of Minato include Akasaka, Aoyama, Azabu, Roppongi and Toranomon.
Geography Minato is located southwest of the Imperial Palace and has boundaries with the special wards of Chiyoda, Chūō, Kōtō (in Odaiba), Shinagawa, Shibuya, and Shinjuku. History The ward was founded on March 15, 1947, with the merger of Akasaka, Azabu, and Shiba Wards. Various names were considered for the new ward, such as Atago, Aoyama, Aoba, Iikura, Mita, and Higashiminato. Higashiminato was chosen, meaning "East Harbor", but then Higashi was cut leading to the name Minato, simply meaning "harbor".
Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population has recently begun rising after decades of rapid decline.
Politics and government In June 2024, Ai Seike beat in mayoral elections. Takei, mayor since 2004, was seeking his sixth term and received support from the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito. Seike, previously a member of the ward assembly, is the first female mayor of Minato.
The ward assembly has 34 members.
Elections 2008 Minato mayoral election
Districts and neighborhoods
Akasaka Area Akasaka Kitaaoyama Minamiaoyama Motoakasaka Azabu Area Azabudai Azabu-Jūban Azabu-Mamianachō Azabu-Nagasakachō Higashiazabu Minamiazabu Motoazabu Nishiazabu Roppongi
Shiba Area Atago Hamamatsuchō Higashishinbashi Kaigana Mitab Nishishinbashi Shiba Shibadaimon Shibakōen Shinbashi Shiodome Toranomon
Shibaura-Kōnan Area Daiba* Kaiganc, * Kōnan* Shibaura* Takanawa Area Mitad, * Shirokane* Shirokanedai* Takanawa*
Notes:
* - formerly part of Shiba Area a - 1-chōme b - 1, 2, 3-chōme c - 2, 3-chōme d - 4, 5-chōme
Education
Colleges and universities
Jikei University School of Medicine Nishi Shinbashi campus Kanazawa Institute of Technology Graduate school; Toranomon campus Keio University Kitasato University Shirokane campus Meiji Gakuin University Shirokane campus National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) Shibaura Institute of Technology Temple University Japan Campus Tokyo Institute of Technology Tamachi Campus Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology Shinagawa campus University of Tokyo Institute of Medical Science
Primary and secondary schools
The local public high schools are operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Board of Education. (since merged with another school)
Roppongi High School
The city's public elementary and junior high schools are operated by the Minato City Board of Education (港区教育委員会).
Combined elementary and junior high schools:For Japanese characters: Odaiba Gakuen (お台場学園) Shirokane-no-oka Gakuen (白金の丘学園)
Junior high schools:
Akasaka Junior High School (赤坂中学校) Aoyama Junior High School (青山中学校) Konan Junior High School (港南中学校) Koryo Junior High School (高陵中学校) Mita Junior High School (三田中学校) opened in 2001 after the merger of Minato Junior High School and Shibahama Junior High School. Onarimon Junior High School (御成門中学校) Roppongi Junior High School (六本木中学校) Takamatsu Junior High School (高松中学校)
Elementary schools:
Akabane Elementary School (赤羽小学校) Akasaka Elementary School (赤坂小学校) Aoyama Elementary School (青山小学校) Azabu Elementary School (麻布小学校) Higashimachi Elementary School (東町小学校) Hommura Elementary School (本村小学校) Kogai Elementary School (笄小学校) Konan Elementary School (港南小学校) Mita Elementary School (御田小学校) Nanzan Elementary School (南山小学校) Onarimon Elementary School (御成門小学校) Seinan Elementary School (青南小学校) Shiba Elementary School (芝小学校) Shibaura Elementary School (芝浦小学校) Shibahama Elementary School (芝浜小学校) Shirokane Elementary School (白金小学校) Takanawadai Elementary School (高輪台小学校) occupies a historic building that had been renovated. - Editorial
Former schools:Japanese names are from:
Asahi Junior High School (朝日中学校) Iikura Elementary School (飯倉小学校) Koyo Elementary School (港陽小学校) Sanko Elementary School (三光小学校) Shinno Elementary School (神応小学校)
There are also a variety of private schools, including:
Keio Girls Senior High School Keiō Chutobu Junior High School (慶應義塾中等部)
Azabu Junior and Senior High School The British School of Tokyo Azabudai Hills Campus (primary school levels) Friends School, a Quaker school established in 1887. Meiji Gakuin Senior High School in Shirokane"Information." Meiji Gakuin Senior High School. Retrieved on 10 May 2016. "Address 1-2-37 Shirokanedai Minato-ku, Tokyo 〒108-0071 Japan" Russian Embassy School in Tokyo in Azabudai"Контакты и полезные ссылки ." Russian Embassy School in Tokyo. Retrieved on 14 April 2015. "Средняя общеобразовательная школа с углубленным изучением иностранноого языка при Посольстве России в Японии Адрес: Япония, 106-0041 Токио, Минато-ку, Адзабудай, 2-1-1"
Public libraries The city operates the Minato Library, the Mita Library, the Azabu Library, the Akasaka Library, the Takanawa Library, and the Konan Library. The metropolis operates the Tokyo Metropolitan Library Central Library in Minato. The library opened in 1973.
Economy
Companies with headquarters in Minato include Air Nippon,." All Nippon Airways (ANA),"Principal Offices." All Nippon Airways. Retrieved on December 22, 2008."ANA City Offices/Ticketing Offices Japan ." All Nippon Airways. Retrieved on December 22, 2008. ANA & JP Express,"Company Profile ." ANA & JP Express. Retrieved on February 11, 2009. All Nippon Airways Trading,"Company Information ." All Nippon Airways Trading. Retrieved on August 23, 2009. Animax,." Asmik Ace Entertainment,"Company Data ." Asmik Ace Entertainment. Retrieved on July 4, 2009. Bandai Namco Holdings, Brainlab,"Company Offices." Brainlab. Retrieved on April 10, 2017. Cosmo Oil Company,"Company Profile." Cosmo Oil Company. Retrieved on March 28, 2015. COVER Corporation,"Company Profile." COVER Corporation. Retrieved on November 24 , 2023. Daicel,"Corporate Data." Daicel. Retrieved on December 23, 2015. Dentsu,"Company details ." Dentsu. Retrieved on November 9, 2009. Euglena (company), FamilyMart, Fujifilm,"Head Office." Fujifilm. Retrieved on July 12, Euglena (company), 2010. Fuji Xerox,"FUJI XEROX Company Profile ." Fuji Xerox. Retrieved on July 12, 2010. Fujitsu,"Fujitsu's Corporate Headquarters." Fujitsu. Retrieved on February 4, 2009. Haseko,"Corporate Profile ." Haseko. Retrieved on September 6, 2017. Hazama Ando,"Corporate Profile." Hazama Ando. Retrieved on April 10, 2015. Honda, Japan Tobacco,"Corporate Data (as of March 31, 2009) ." Japan Tobacco. Retrieved on October 19, 2009. Kajima,"Corporate Data." Kajima. Retrieved on February 19, 2010. Kaneka Corporation,"Corporate Data." Kaneka Corporation. Retrieved on February 26, 2016. Konami,"Contact Us." Konami. Retrieved on February 12, 2010. KYB Corporation,"Corporate Information ." KYB Corporation. Retrieved on February 5, 2015. Kyodo News,Shrivastava, K. M. (2007). News agencies from pigeon to internet. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. p. 208. . Mitsubishi Motors,"Profile ." Mitsubishi Motors. Retrieved on March 7, 2010. Mitsui Chemicals,"Head Office - Branches." Mitsui Chemicals. Retrieved on February 18, 2010. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines,"Corporate Profile ." Mitsui O.S.K. Lines. Retrieved on June 21, 2010. Mitsui Oil Exploration Company,"Company Information ." Mitsui Oil Exploration Co. Retrieved on July 11, 2010. NEC,"Corporate Profile." NEC. Retrieved on July 12, 2010. Nippon Sheet Glass,"Company Details ." Nippon Sheet Glass. Retrieved on April 2, 2014. NYK Line,"Tokyo (Headquarters) ." NYK Line. Retrieved on January 20, 2010. Obayashi Corporation,"Company Overview ." Obayashi Corporation. Retrieved on March 21, 2014. Oki Electric Industry,"Corporate Profile." Oki Electric Industry. Retrieved on March 12, 2019. "Head Office [...] 1-7-12 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8460, Japan" - Japanese address: "本社: 東京都港区虎ノ門1-7-12（電話: 03-3501-3111 大代表）" map Pizza-La,"Corporate Info." Pizza-La. Retrieved on February 29, 2010. The Pokémon Company, THK,"Company Profile." THK. Retrieved on April 18, 2019. Toagosei,"Business Sites." Toagosei. Retrieved on January 12, 2018. Toraya Confectionery,"Company Overview." Toraya Confectionery. Retrieved on June 25, 2018. Sato Pharmaceutical,"Company Information." Sato Pharmaceutical. Retrieved on February 4, 2019. Sega Sammy Holdings,"Company Profile ." Sega Sammy Holdings. Retrieved on January 13, 2009. Sigma Seven,"Company Profile." Sigma Seven. Retrieved on February 22, 2009. Sony,"Sony Group Portal - Corporate Data." Sony. Retrieved on August 1, 2023. SUMCO,"Corporate Data." SUMCO. Retrieved on September 26, 2014. Toraya Confectionery,"Privacy Policy ." Toraya Confectionery. Last updated on October 11, 2005. Retrieved on November 20, 2010. "4-9-22 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN." Toyo Suisan (owns the branch Maruchan), TV Tokyo,"Corporate Information." TV Tokyo. Retrieved on January 20, 2009. WOWOW,"Corporate Info." WOWOW. Retrieved on November 20, 2010. "THE HEAD OFFICE 21F, Akasaka Park Building, 5-2-20, Akasaka, Minato-ku Tokyo 107-6121 Tel.81-3-4330-8111WOWOW INC. MAP." Address in Japanese: "" and Yazaki."Japan ." Yazaki. Retrieved on June 18, 2015. "Headquarters 17th Floor, Mita-Kokusai Bldg., 4-28 Mita 1-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8333 Japan" - Japanese address: "" In addition ANA subsidiary Air Japan has some offices in Minato."Company Guide." Air Japan. Retrieved on May 19, 2009.
Foreign companies The Japanese division of CB&I,"Worldwide Offices ." CB&I. Retrieved on November 10, 2008. the Japanese division of Aramark and Aim Services,"Company ." Aim Services. Retrieved on November 10, 2008. Google Japan,"Google locations." Google. Retrieved on May 25, 2016. "Google Japan Roppongi Hills Mori Tower PO Box 22, 6-10-1 Roppongi Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-6126" Yahoo! Japan,"Company Info ." Yahoo! Japan. Retrieved on April 30, 2009. and the main Japanese offices of Hanjin and Korean Air are located there."Office Network Japan ." Hanjin. Retrieved on November 19, 2008. Air France operates an office and ticketing counter in the New Aoyama Building in Minato."Air France Agency Tokyo." Air France. Retrieved on January 15, 2009. The Japanese division of Deutsche Post, DHL. Air France's Minato office handles Aircalin-related inquiries."Contact Us ." Aircalin. Retrieved on January 15, 2009. Air China has operations in the Air China Building in Minato."International Offices ." Air China. Retrieved on January 18, 2009. Asiana Airlines operates a sales office on the sixth floor of the ATT New Tower Building."." Asiana Airlines. Retrieved on January 19, 2009. Hawaiian Airlines has its Japan offices in the in Minato.." Iran Air has its Tokyo office in Akasaka."Iran Air Tokyo Office ." Iran Air. Retrieved on January 29, 2011. ""Address c/o Akasaka Habitation Bldg., 1-3-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052"