Tokyo Subway Line Begins Service

The Ginza Line, Japan's inaugural subway, commenced operations on June 4, 1927, between Ueno and Asakusa in Tokyo. Built to alleviate severe surface congestion, it featured 1.4 km of tunnels constructed with cut-and-cover methods amid challenging urban geology. Key figures included engineer Noritsugu Hayakawa. The line used 600V DC third-rail power and carried over 100,000 passengers on opening day. It connected to broader rail networks and symbolized Japan's modernization during the interwar period. The project overcame financial and technical hurdles, setting standards for earthquake-resistant design still used today. Its impact endures as the core of Tokyo's vast metro system serving millions daily.