Tokyo Subway Planning Approved

In the 1920s, Japan's rapid industrialization and urbanization created severe traffic congestion in cities like Tokyo, prompting the need for innovative underground transport solutions. Influenced by European subways, engineers and officials, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, pushed for a system to alleviate surface overcrowding. On February 22, 1923, plans for the Ginza Line were officially approved, marking the beginning of Asia's first subway and involving challenges like tunneling through earthquake-prone soil. Key figures included Kaishu Katsu, though later developments credited engineers like Noritsugu Hayakawa. This event signified a leap in urban rail infrastructure, connecting Tokyo's business districts and facilitating post-war recovery. For subway enthusiasts, the line's initial fleet of wooden cars and electric power systems offer a glimpse into early 20th-century technology. Its lasting impact includes inspiring global metro expansions, reducing carbon emissions, and shaping Tokyo's status as a megacity, with the network now serving millions daily.