TOKYO -- Kyoto leads a new ranking of the most attractive Japanese cities for people and businesses beyond Tokyo, thanks to a wealth of cultural assets and universities in the old capital.

The Japan Power Cities ranking -- compiled by a research institute affiliated with real estate developer Mori Building -- covers 72 cities excluding Tokyo. Based on 83 quantitative indicators and a survey of residents, the cities are evaluated according to six criteria: economy and business, research and development, culture, livability, environment, and transport and accessibility.

Kyoto's total score came to 1,270.2, topping the culture category thanks to numerous historical attractions such as temples, as well as local events and specialty foods.

The city ranked second in research and development, with a large number of research papers published. The city's scientific community includes Nobel Prize-winning biologist Shinya Yamanaka, who leads a stem cell research center at Kyoto University.

Leading Kyoto-based companies include Nintendo and electronics makers Nidec and Kyocera.

But the city ranked only 33rd in livability, owing to a low birth rate and a limited availability of homes accessible to people with disabilities.

Fukuoka, one of the closest big Japanese cities to the Asian mainland, came in second overall, with a score of 1,155.3. The southwestern city ranked third in economy because of its many special economic zones and new business openings, and placed third in culture and accessibility. But it scored badly on environment -- ranking 57th -- for its low recycling rates and poor self sufficiency in renewable energy.

Osaka, with a score of 1,131.8, ranked third overall. The third-most-populous city in Japan placed first in economy and access, and second in culture. But it lagged at 71st in livability and 72nd in environment.

Fourth-ranked Nagoya scored 1,104.5. It came in first in R&D and second in economy and access, but only reached 67th in the environment category.

The Mori Memorial Foundation Institute for Urban Strategies has compiled the Global Power City list for years, but this marks its first ranking of Japanese cities. The organization hopes the report will help cities beyond Tokyo identify the challenges to revitalizing their economies.