Chūō-ku, as a combination of Kyōbashi and Nihonbashi, is the core of Shitamachi,[2] the original downtown center of Edo-Tokyo.

Literally meaning "Central Ward", it is historically the main commercial center of Tokyo, although Shinjuku has risen to challenge it since the end of World War II.

The gold mint, or Kinza (金座), formerly occupied the site of the present-day Bank of Japan headquarters building, also in Chūō.

Chūō is in the central area of Tokyo, surrounded by the five special wards of Chiyoda, Minato, Taitō, Sumida, and Kōtō.

Nihonbashi and Kyōbashi are predominantly commercial areas on the east side of Tokyo Station, and incorporate the famous districts of Ginza and Tsukiji.

Chūō is physically the second-smallest ward in Tokyo, with a total area of just 10.15 km2; only Taitō is smaller.

Per Japanese census data, the population has doubled since 2000 after decades of continuous rapid decline.Ricoh is headquartered in the Ricoh Building in Chūō.

[5][6][7] Sumitomo Corporation is headquartered in the Harumi Island Triton Square Office Tower Y in Chūō.

[13][14][15] Ajinomoto,[16] Mitsui Fudosan,[17] Shinsei Bank, Nomura Group and Meidi-Ya are also headquartered in the ward.

The current mayor is Yoshihide Yada, an independent backed Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito.