Directory_and_Chronicle_1925 — Page 556

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HAKODATE-OSAKA

HAKODATECITYOFFICE-Toyokawa-machi;

Telephs. 3200, 3202 and 299

T. Ito, vice-mayor

M. Matsuo, treasurer

HAKODATE

CLUB

Teleph. 272

Bansei

F. J. Howard, hon. treasurer

Building;

HAKODATE DOCK Co.-88, Benten-machi

HAKODATE KU SAIBANSHO (Local Court)

HAKODATE POST OFFICE

Director-T. Yoneda

HOWELL & Co., Merchants and Commis- sion Agents 15, Nakahama-machi; Teleph. 326; P.O. Box 6; Tel Ad: Howell

F. J. Howard

M. Kinoshita | S. Inoue

Agencies

Lloyds, London

Board of Underwriters, New York Vacuum Oil Co.

Admiral Oriental Line

Dollar Steamship Line, Pacific Mail Steamship Co.

KINKAI YUSEN KAISHA-Telephs. 137, 548,

1354 and 1366; Tel. Ad: Yusen

T, Hayashi, manager

M. Uchiyama, sub-manager

Lury Bros., Fish Exporters - Tel. Ad:

Lury

R. M. Pormuss, manager

MUNICIPALITY OF HAKODATE

SALE & FRAZAR, Ltd.—23, Benten-machi; Telephs. 2159 and 1495; Tel. Ad: Frazar

S. Kubo

OSAKA

Osaka is the second city in Japan in size, the population in 1923 being 1,387,000. In commercial and industrial importance it ranks first in the Japanese Empire. During recent years the city has been rapidly assuming a modern and Western aspect. Broad wood-paved streets intersect it in all directions, large buildings of the sky-scraper type are springing up throughout the business centre, and motor traffic is increasing rapidly. The city is situated in the province of Settsu and is built on the banks and at the mouth of the river Aji. From the point of view of the foreign tourist, the most interesting and imposing sight is Osaka Castle, erected in 1583 by the famous warrior Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Though less extensive than that of Tokyo, it is a much grander and more striking edifice, and is, indeed, next to that of Nagoya, the finest example of the ancient feudal castles of Japan. It is now occupied by the Osaka garrison, and forms the headquarters of one of the 18 great military districts. It has also within its enclosure an extensive military arsenal. Osaka, like Tokyo and Kyoto, forms a province in itself and has its own Governor. It is the seat of numerous industries, including cotton-spinning mills, shipbuilding yards, iron-works and sugar refineries. Cotton-spinning is the most important industry. There are 30 cotton- spinning companies with 48 mills and an aggregate of 841,000 spindles. The number of factories of all kinds in the city in 1922 was 17,172, employing a total of 115,000 hands. The Imperial Mint also is established here.

Extensive harbour improvements have been in progress for a number of years, and at present wharfage is available for five vessels of 5,000 to 6,000 tons, while vessels of 10,000 tons or 29 feet draught can enter the port. A considerable sum of money is still to be expended on the harbour, on the completion of which eight vessels of 10,000 tons will be able to come alongside the wharves, while as many as 50 or 60 of the same size will be provided with berthing space at buoys. In 1923, 1,393 ships with an aggregate tonnage of 3,286,430 tons entered the port.

The trade statistics of Osaka since the war have shown great growth. Imports in 1923 were valued at Yen 177,275,000 and exports at Yen 296,769,000, as compared with Yen 128,690,000 and Yen 322,860,000, respectively, in 1922. 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.

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 thoroughfares have been widened.