Tokyo's satellite cities were designed to control the inflow of countryside people rather than distribute urban residents.

In 1984, Tokyo issued a plan which aimed at building multiple developments across the city. A series of satellite cities with independence were set up.

Transportation lines in and around Tokyo were privately funded and the government gave private railway companies exclusive development rights. The companies consequently made great efforts to develop land along the railway lines and satellite cities were developed on the basis of private railways with real estate and other commercial facilities developed afterwards.