Now that Tokyo has won the bid to host the 2020 Olympics, the capital may gain a top-three spot in the next Global Power City Index.

That is because London grabbed the No. 1 spot in the 2012 GPCI for the first time since the Mori Memorial Foundation began releasing the ranking in 2008, thanks to its preparations for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

New York had always been the top city and London had always been second.

"It doesn't mean New York lost points. New York obtained roughly the same points, but London's growth was extraordinary," the foundation said in a report on the 2012 GPCI.

Concretely, the number of international conventions, hotels and visitors from overseas, all of which are in the cultural interaction category, had a remarkable increase in London.

London had many pre-Olympic events, meaning hotels and other infrastructure were renovated to draw more visitors.

Another notable point is that cultural interaction was the only category in which London was No. 1. It was second in accessibility, fourth in economy, fourth in research and development, 12th in environment and 20th in livability.

Thus, Tokyo, always at No. 4, may have a strong chance to ascend in the ranking.

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