Saitama

Saitama Prefecture is "Tokyo's bedroom." Saitama's population is about 7.33 million (2024). Japan's 5th largest population. But many Saitama residents work in Tokyo. 34.8% of Saitama residents commute to Tokyo. Japan's highest commute rate. For Saitama residents, "Saitama" is where they sleep. "Tokyo" is where they work. Saitama residents board trains to Tokyo in the morning. Board trains back to Saitama at night. For Saitama residents, "cars" are unnecessary. Trains are sufficient. Many places in Saitama are within 30 minutes of Tokyo. From Omiya Station to Tokyo Station is about 25 minutes. From Kawagoe Station to Ikebukuro Station is about 30 minutes. For Saitama residents, "Tokyo" is close. But "Saitama's identity" is far. What does Saitama have? Local specialties? Famous tourist spots? Saitama residents can't answer. Saitama is self-deprecatingly called the "prefecture with nothing." Saitama residents accept this "nothingness." But for motorsport, "nothing" is fatal. Motorsport is the sport of "identity." Pride in hometown. Local car culture. But Saitama residents don't have a "hometown." For Saitama residents, their "hometown" is Tokyo. Saitama has several small circuits (Honjo Circuit, Okegawa Sports Land, etc.). But Saitama residents don't go. Weekends they go play in Tokyo. Saitama residents live in Japan's 5th most populous prefecture, yet have no attachment to "Saitama." Can't cultivate the "local culture" called motorsport.