Tokyo Underground Railway Opens

July 26, 1928 saw the opening of Tokyo's inaugural subway segment, a 2.2 km line operated by the Tokyo Underground Railway Company using 600-volt DC third-rail electric multiple units. Designed to relieve street congestion in the growing capital, the line featured stations with distinctive Art Deco influences and carried thousands daily despite the era's economic challenges. Engineer Noritsugu Hayakawa led the project, overcoming earthquake risks post-1923 Great Kanto quake through reinforced tunneling. This modest start evolved into the world's largest subway system, influencing urban planning across Asia and demonstrating Japan's rapid adoption of modern rail technology.