Tokyo Metro Ginza Line opens

Built to alleviate Tokyo's street congestion, the Ginza Line featured 1,435 mm standard gauge with third-rail electrification and 600 V DC power. Engineer Noritsugu Hayakawa led the project after studying New York and London systems. The 2.2 km initial segment used cut-and-cover construction amid earthquakes, incorporating innovative seismic design. It carried millions annually, shaping modern Japanese rail culture with its efficient, clean operations. Lasting impact includes inspiring the vast Tokyo subway network and global metro designs, with preserved 1000 series cars highlighting early 20th-century engineering for railfans.