Located in the Kanto region on Honshu island, Tokyo is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan and (although it is not a single city) is considered the capital of Japan since it is home to the Japanese government and emperor. Along with London, New York and Paris, Tokyo is generally considered one of the world's four most prominent 'global cities'. Covering an area of 2,187.08 square kilometres, it has a total population of 12,631,059 (2006). Since 1988 Tokyo Metropolitan Government has been actively involved in cultural development through its financial support for artistic and cultural organisations, promotion of regular artistic events and festivals and organisation of community arts programming.