Directory_and_Chronicle_1928 — Page 413

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YOKOHAMA

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Yokohama is the port of Tokyo and was opened to foreign trade in July, 1859, It is situated on the Bay of Yokohama, a small bay on the western side of the Gulf of 'Yedo, in lat. 35 deg. 26 min. 11 sec. N., and long. 139 deg. 39 min. 20 sec., in the island of Honshiu, and is distant about 18 miles from the capital, with which it is connected by both steam and electric railways. The surrounding scenery is hilly and pleasing, and on clear days the snow-crowned summit and graceful outlines of Fuji-san, a volcanic mountain 12,370 feet high-celebrated in Japanesc literature and depicted on innumerable native works of art is most distinctly visible, though some 75 miles distant. The town is divided into two parts, the western part being occupied by what was known, before the abolition of extra-territoriality, as the foreign settlement. Beyond the plain on which the town is built rises a sort of semi-circle of low hills called "The Bluff," thickly dotted before the recent terrible visitation with handsome foreign villas and dwelling-houses in various styles of architecture, all standing in pretty gardens and commanding charming prospects. Along the water-front runs a good road called the Bund, on which stood many of the principal business houses and hotels. The United Club was located here. The English Episcopal, the French Catholic and the Union Protestant Churches were handsome edifices situated on the Bluff, where there were also well laid-out public gardens. A fine cricket and recreation ground, a racecourse and golf links are situated about two miles from the Settlement.

A good boating club also existed, providing facilities for deep-sea bathing. The Public Hall, containing a theatre and assembly rooms, built of brick, situated at the top of Camp Hill, was opened in 1885. The Prefectural and Municipal Offices were fine brick structures on commanding sites. The railway station was well-designed and com- modious. The town is in the enjoyment of an excellent water supply, large waterworks having been completed in 1887. An electric train service from Yokohama (Sakuragi- cho) to Tokyo (new station) runs every twelve minutes, covering the distance in 55 minutes. The harbour is exposed, but two breakwaters, of an aggregate length of 12,000 feet, have been built and are so projected as practically to enclose the whole of the anchorage, leaving an entrance 650 feet wide between these extremities. Excellent pier and wharf facilities exist, and, though practically entirely destroyed in the earthquake and fire of 1923, they are now all restored. There are 4 berths at the pier accommodating the largest steamers, and 12 mooring wharves for large ocean-going vessels, most of these wharves accommodating vessels of any size. The Yokohama Dock Company

has three dry docks of 631 ft., 489 ft., and 380 ft., docking length, 93 ft., 67 ft., and 60 ft. width of entrance, and 28 ft., 21.5 ft. and 26 ft. of water on the blocks, respectively, and a mooring basin of 600 ft. by 100 ft. by 25 ft.

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In the very severe earthquake, which was followed by a huge conflagration, on September 1st, 1923, close on 30,000 people are known to have perished. Another 3,559 were missing and believed to be dead, and 66,371 were officially reported as injured, the total casualties representing nearly one-quarter of the population. The number of buildings destroyed was 70,000, out of a total of 93,000. The shipping in harbour was placed in serious jeopardy by the blazing oil from the oil-tanks on shore running into and spreading over the water.

The Japanese population of Yokohama was about 405,888 in 1925, according to the Census returns of that year. There was a great exodus as the result of the earthquake, but confidence is now restored and there seems every reason to expect that in time Yokohama will recover its former prominence as the principal port of Japan.

The foreign trade suffered inevitable dislocation after the earthquake, but the export trade has already largely recovered and is showing a steady increase. Imports received a great stimulation owing to the need for reconstruction material, but the normal import business shows a slower recovery than the export trade.

The heavy cost of rebuilding hampered the return of business houses, but many of these resumed business in premises temporarily erected pending permanent rebuild- ring. Permanent re-building is in progress, and the streets are widended and improved.

In the principal business sections all new permanent building must be fireproof.