Directory_and_Chronicle_1923 — Page 507

JAPAN--TOKYO

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Government in 1906 decided on the State ownership of all railways which are used for general traffic, the object being to improve the facilities for direct traffic over long distances, to accelerate transportation, and to cheapen the cost. The Government proposed to purchase the lines belonging to 32 private companies within a period extending from 1906 to 1911, but the House of Peers, when the Bills came before them, reduced the number of companies to be bought out to 17 and extended the period of purchase to 1915. The aggregate length of the lines it was decided to purchase was 2,812 miles. It was soon found advisable for various reasons to carry through the whole transaction in one year, and the sum of Yen 483,563,325 was paid during the two years 1907-8 and 1908-9. The capital of the State Railway system has rison since the latter year by 47 per cent. owing to expenditure on extensions and improvements, and now amounts to Yen 1,108,060,237. The percentage of profit on the capital during the four-year period ended on March 31st, 1914, averaged 6 per cent. average interest of 35,000,000 yen per annum has been paid, subsidies amounting to 5,000,000 yen in six years have been given to the light railways, and the surplus has been invested in additions, improvements, and constructions to the amount of 172,000,000 yen in eight years to March 31st, 1917-a sum practically equal to half the capital outlay during the period. As a result of the war with Russia, the South Manchurian Railway was taken over by Japan. There are about 950 miles of electric tramway in Japan and 270 miles more under construction.

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By treaties made with a number of foreign Governments the Japanese ports of Kanagawa (Yokohama), Nagasaki, Kobe, Hakodate, Niigata, and the cities of Tokyo (formerly called Yedo) and Osaka were thrown open to foreign commerce. In 1894 new treaties were signed with the Powers by which extra-territoriality was abolished and the whole country opened to foreign trade and residence, the treaty to come into force in July, 1899. Actually, extra-territoriality ceased to exist on August 4th, 1899.

CURRENCY

From October, 1897, Japan placed her currency on a gold basis. The unit of value is a gold dollar weighing 8333 grammes and containing 75 grammes of fine gold. The conversion from silver to gold was effected at the ratio of 1 to 32.348.

EDUCATION

Education is national and very general in Japan, and is making great progress. There are numerous High Schools, Middle Schools, Normal Schools, and Colleges for special studies—such as Law, Science, Medicine, Mining, Agriculture, and Foreign Languages and several Female High Schools have been established, and are carefully fostered by the Government. In order to facilitate the prosecution of foreign studies the Government employs many European professors, and also sends, at the public expense, a large number of students every year to America and Europe.

TOKYO

The capital of Japan [until the Restoration called Yedo] is situated at the north of the Bay of Yedo, has a circumference of 27 miles, and covers a surface of 40 square miles. The river Sumida runs through the city, the larger part lying to the west. of this waterway, while on the east lie the two wards named Honjo and Fukagawa.

Tokyo as viewed from the bay is a pleasant-looking city, being well situated on undulating ground, and possessing abundant foliage. The city is divided into 15 ward divisions, and its suburbs into six divisions. It was, in fact, until recently more like an aggregation of towns than one great city, but every year sees greater congestion and conditions more approximating to the crowded cities of the West. The Castle of Tokyo occupies a commanding position on a hill a little to the westward of the city. It is enclosed in double walls and surrounded by a fine broad moat. Within the Castle formerly stood the Shogun's Palace and several public offices, but the destructive fire of the 3rd of April, 1872, levelled these ancient and massive buildings, leaving only the lofty turrets and walls. A new palace on the old site has been constructed and the Mikado took up his residence there in January, 1889. The Imperial Garden called Fukiage is situated within the enclosure of the castle. It is tastefully laid out in the pure native style, and contains fine forest trees, rare and beautiful plants of all kinds, a large pond, cascades, etc.