Directory_and_Chronicle_1932 — Page 337

YOKOHAMA

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 Japanese 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 settle- tlement. Beyond the plain on which the town is built rises a sort of semi- circle of low

low hills

hills called "The Bluff," on which are situated the residences of many members of the foreign community. Along the waterfront runs a good road called the Bund, on which stand

stand the United Club and the New Grand Hotel. On the whole, however, reconstruction after the great Earthquake and fire of September 1923 has been slower in the former Settlement and on the Bluff than in the purely Japanese part of the City. A fine cricket and recreation ground, a racecourse and golf links are situated about two miles from the Settlement. A good boating club also exists, providing facilities for deep-sea bathing. The railway station is well-designed and commodious. The town is in the enjoyment of an excellent water supply, large waterworks having been com- pleted in 1887. The municipal electric tramways traversing important sec- tions of the city now extend for 27 miles. The urban tramway service__ is managed by a private concern under special contract with the city. The harbour works started in 1900 and practically finished in 1917, sustained great damage in the earthquake of 1923. Reconstruction was, however, completed in March 1931. The gas works were started as a private enterprise but taken over by the municipality in 1892, the pipes laid measure now about 200 miles. There are 4 berths at the pier accommodating the largest steamers, and 12 mooring wharves for large ocean-going vessels, most of these wharves accom- modating vessels of any size. The Yokohama Dock Company has three dry docks of 628 ft., 489 ft., and 380 ft., docking length, 98 ft., 77 ft.. and 76 ft. width of entrance, and 33 ft., 26 ft. and 21 ft. of water on the blocks res- pectively, and a mooring basin of 600 ft. by 100 ft. by 25 ft.

In the very severe earthquake, which was followed by a huge conflagra- tion, 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 representating 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 620,296 in October 1930. The number of foreign residents was 1,821 in addition there is a Chinese Colony of 4,074

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 recon- struction 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 per- manent rebuilding. Permanent re-building is now complete, and the streets are widened and improved. In the principal business sections all new per- manent buildings must be fireproof.