The capital corresponding to the present concept of capital was established in 1868, since then it has been chiefly called 'the imperial capital,' and it was after the enactment of 'Law of Capital Construction' in 1950, that the term 'Capital' spread into general use.
現在の概念にあたる首都は1868年（明治元年）以来、主に「帝都」と称され、1950年（昭和25年）の「首都建設法」制定以降になって「首都」の語が普及した。