Some historians even say that the capital change was a strategy to decentralize the Imperial power and modernize Japan. Kyoto has actually suffered a lot due to the capital change as it led to a scarcity of resources and a population shift. However, the dominance of the western capital slowly decreased as the Imperial court and the Diet have been permanently established in Tokyo. The modernization and growing popularity of Tokyo made it the only capital of Japan eventually, unlike Kyoto which has remained as a symbol of old Japan.
However, Kyoto still enjoys a lot of tourism and popularity. Which city is your favorite? Featured image: jp. Buildings made of stone and bricks were built on the sites of the mansions of feudal lords, and the major roads were paved with round stones. Western hairstyles replaced the traditional topknot worn by men, and bowler hats, high collars, and bustled skirts were the height of fashion. With the promulgation of the Constitution of the Empire of Japan in Japan established the political system of a modern state.
During the Taisho era , the number of people working in cities increased, and a growing proportion of citizens began to lead consumer lifestyles. Educational standards improved, and the number of girls going on to study at higher schools increased. Performing arts such as theater and opera thrived. The fires caused by the earthquake burned the city center to the ground. Over , people were reported dead or missing, and , houses were destroyed.
After the earthquake a city reconstruction plan was formulated, but because the projected costs exceeded the national budget only a small part of it was realized. Beginning shortly after the Great Kanto Earthquake, the Showa era started in a mood of gloom.
By the resident population of Tokyo had grown to 6. However, the Pacific War, which broke out in , had a great impact on Tokyo. The dual administrative system of Tokyo-fu prefecture and Tokyo-shi city was abolished for war-time efficiency, and the prefecture and city were merged to form the Metropolis of Tokyo in The metropolitan administrative system was thus established and a governor was appointed.
In the final phase of the war, Tokyo was bombed times. The heaviest air raid was on March 10, , in which there was great loss of life and material damage. The war came to an end on September 2, , when the Japanese government and military representatives signed the Instrument of Surrender.
Much of Tokyo had been laid waste by the bombings and by October the population had fallen to 3. In August of that year, the present 23 special-ward system began in Tokyo Metropolis. The s were a time of gradual recovery for the nation. Television broadcasting began in , and Japan joined the United Nations in Economic recovery was aided in particular by the special procurement boom arising from the outbreak of the Korean War in Due to technological innovations and the introduction of new industries and technologies, this period saw the beginning of mass production of synthetic fibers and household electric appliances such as televisions, refrigerators, and washing machines.
As a result, the everyday lives of the residents of Tokyo underwent considerable transformation. In the population of Tokyo broke the 10 million mark. Entering the s, the strain of rapid economic growth became apparent as the country was beset by environmental issues such as pollution of the air and rivers, as well as high levels of noise.
The Oil Crisis of brought the many years of rapid economic growth to a halt. A massive earthquake destroyed nearly half of Tokyo in Just before noon on September 1, , a massive earthquake, measuring between 7.
One of the largest losses of life occurred near the Sumida River, as more than 44, Tokyo residents took shelter there from encroaching flames. Late that afternoon, a foot-tall ball of fire engulfed the area, killing all but of those gathered. The rumors were unfounded, but that did little to stop a massive wave of reprisal killings—upwards of 5, Koreans were massacred in the days following the earthquake.
The Allied bombing of Tokyo was just as destructive as that of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Aerial attacks intensified in late following the Allied capture of Pacific islands that put them and the new, highly advanced B bomber in striking distance of Tokyo.
In the following months, the Allies began a devastating series of nighttime firebombing raids, culminating in Operation Meetinghouse, when more than 2, tons of incendiary bombs were dropped over Tokyo in just 48 hours, destroying 16 square miles around the city and killing between 80, and ,
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