Directory_and_Chronicle_1934 — Page 335

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HAKODATE-OSAKA

Holland East Asia Line Canadian Pacific Steamships,

Ld.

Swedish Eastern Asiatic S.S. Co.

KAMCHATKA Co., LTD.-Bansei Hotel Building Higashihama-cho; Cable Ad: Ako

LLOYDS' REGISTER OF SHIPPING-

75, Nakahama-machi

LURY BROTHERS-39, Nishihama-ma-

chi; Cable Ad: Lury

L. Pelstroff, manager

MACKINNON, MACKENZIE & Co. (JAPAN),

LTD.-2, Aza Karato-cho; P.O. Box 3 (Higashi)

W. H. Evans, manager

295

RISING SUN PETROLEUM Co., LTD.-1,

Benten-cho; Teleph. 551

SINGER SEWING MACHINE Co.-Aioi-

cho Otaru Ak 1/

SOCONY-VACUUM CORPORATION 28, Sa-

kai-machi, Otaru

SOVIET COMMERCIAL FLEET AGENCY-

Bansei Hotel Building, Higashi- hama-cho; Cable Ad: Sovflot

VERNOT TIMBER TRADING CO.-1, Aioì- cho, Otaru P.O. Box 30; Cable Ad: Vertico

VICTOR TALKING MACHINE Co. OF JAPAN, LTD.-Daiichi, Chohei Hoken Building, Kita Ichijo Nishi, Sap-

poro

OSAKA

:

Osaka, with a population of 2,500,000 according to the census taken on October 1st 1930, is the second city in Japan, coming next after Greater Tokyo, but in commercial and industrial importance it ranks first. During recent years the city has been rapidly. assuming a modern and Western aspect. Broad well-paved streets intersect it in all directions, large modern buildings are springing up throughout the business centre, and motor traffic is increasing rapidly. The city is situated in the Prefecture of the same name at the mouth of the river Yodogawa. It is intersected by other rivers and canals that make excellent waterways, for the transport of merchandise. 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. It is now the Headquarters of the Fourth Army Divi- siɔn, the grounds having been converted into a public park. It is the seat of numerous industries, including cotton-spinning mills, shipbuilding yards, iron-works and sugar refineries. Cotton-spinning and weaving are the most important industries and there are a large num- ber of big mills in the city and neighbourhood. Recently there has been a surprising development in the manufacture of all kinds of goods for the export trade in Osaka's well-equipped factories. The Imperial Mint also is established here. From the outset the street Electric Tramway within the city limits was a municipal undertaking and at present 104 kilometres are open to traffic.

Extensive harbour improvements have been in progress for a number of years, and the first scheme was completed in April, 1929, after 33 years of work, the total, cost involved aggregating Y.113,000,000. A second extension plan is now in progress. The harbour is embraced by two break-waters and piers and quays alone are capable of taking in 29 steamers of from 1,000 tons capacity to 20,000 tons capacity at one time.

The trade statistics of Osaka since the war have shown great growth. The Osaka trade returns, however, do not afford a reliable index of the foreign trade, a great part of which passes through the Kobe Customs.