Directory_and_Chronicle_1918 — Page 591

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

OSAKA

523

largest industry. There are six spinning companies in the city representing a paid-up capital of Yen 26,856,250. Of 733,039 looms in Japan no fewer than 5,699 are in Osaka. The number of factories, mills, or works of all kinds in Osaka in 1912 was returned as 9,059, but only four of these employed more than one thousand hands. The Imperial Mint is also located here. This establishment is in active operation and turns out a coinage not surpassed by any in the world. The trade statistics of Osaka in recent years have shown remarkable growth. The imports in 1913 were valued at Yen 41,675,529 and the exports at Yen 73,452,450. During the latter half of 1914 the trade of Osaka was greatly affected by the conditions that followed closely on the outbreak of war. For the year 1914 the imports were Yen 41,406,054 and the exports Yen 73,342,708. In 1915 there was a considerable revival and the figures were, imports Yen 50,610,954 and exports Yen 93,822,639. In 1916, the imports were Yen 81,908,705 and the exports Yen 141,805,247. The Osaka trade returns, however, do not afford a reliable index of the foreign trade, the greater part of which passes through the Kobe customs. Most of the goods exported from or imported into Osaka are shipped or discharged at Kobe. The population of the city is given as 1,413,351. The number of foreign residents, other than Chinese, is 97, of whom 51 are Americans, 19 British, 19 French, and 2 Portuguese. In 1909 a third of the city was destroyed by fire, the total damage being estimated at Yen 25,000,000. A much better class of house has taken the place of those destroyed, and the regulations for rebuilding provide for wide thoroughfares.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1918 — Page 591

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