Tokyo is the world’s most expensive city, according to Mercer’s 2009 Worldwide Cost of Living survey released today, with the cost of living up 13.1% from 2008.

Japan’s capital is followed by Osaka and Moscow, which held the top spot in last year’s rankings. Geneva comes in fourth.

The significant changes from last year are due to massive swings in exchange rates, with many currencies at their weakest in years against the U.S. dollar, during the March 2009 survey period.

An employee and a sales clerk of Takashimaya Department Store introduce a bouquet made of jewelry in Osaka on May 23, 2008.

The 1.5 million dollars bouquet consists of a 11.5-carat yellow diamond ring, seven yellow gold diamond brooches and 46 Mexican opal brooches with silver leaves, stalks and base.