Osaka~
The Osaka Plain is the site of Osaka, Kobe, and a number of intermediate-sized industrial cities, which together form the Hanshin commercial-industrial complex.Since the 1980s, the suburbs of Osaka have been given over to farming, including vegetables, dairy farming, poultry rising, and rice cultivation.These areas were progressively reduced as the cities expanded and residential areas, including numerous so-called "new cities," were built, such as the developments north of Osaka resulting from the Osaka International Exposition (Expo '70) world's fair.
Source- Japan Information http://sunsite.sut.ac.jp/asia/japan/
Osaka's history tells us that the City has played a pioneering role at every turning point in Japanese history, growing into a community with foresight. Cultural exchange with peoples abroad since ancient times has helped the City create a new culture; its strength has always enabled it to rise from the ashes like a phoenix, even when destroyed by war or natural disaster; citizens maintained their autonomy and enjoyed freedom even during feudal days; thus, Osaka has been sufficiently strong in both good and bad times to turn bad situations into good ones. This Osaka is now ready to enter its newest phase, the 21st century.
It was 1,500 years ago, during the tumulus period, that Osaka, the city of water, was first constructed as a city, taking advantage of its abundance of water. Through Naniwazu, as it was named, then a cosmopolitan port, people already began cultural exchange with the continent by the middle of the 4th century. One of the results of such exchange was a waterway named Naniwa-no-horie, constructed by civil engineering know-how acquired from the continent. Between 7th and 9th centuries, Japanese diplomatic embassies were sent to China from Naniwazu to foster trade and cultural exchange between the two countries. After the Taika Reform in 645, Naniwanomiya, the Imperial Place, was constructed, making Osaka the oldest and most prosperous city in Japan. In 1583, Toyotomi Hideyoshi completed national unification and began the construction of Osaka Castle. In the castle town people enjoyed free trade with many merchants invited to settle from various places. Cotton, oil, medical ingredients, and metal processing were main local industries, while foreign trade was also emphasized, making inroads into Southeast Asian countries. Merchants returned to Osaka with various materials from, and information on, foreign countries. Eventually, Osaka became the center of Japanese politics and economy. Awareness of freedom and autonomy fostered among merchants and citizens made the area prosperous like Venice, a free city. Modern Osaka still enjoys thriving business, supported by its free way of thinking, the heritage of this period.
Although completely burned to the ground in 1615 after Natsu-no-jin (the summer siege), Osaka Castle and town were restored by the Tokugawa shogunate. Canals such as Ajikawa and Doton-bori were constructed, along which rice, fish, and vegetable markets and Kurayashiki (business offices) owned by feudal domains stood side by side, trading products collected from all over Japan. Osaka thus became the center of the Japanese economy as the kitchen of the nation.
The City also attracted people from various cultural backgrounds, including art, literature, education, and science. Among these were Chikamatsu Monzaemon, a playwright known as the Shakespeare of Japan, and Ihara Saikaku, a poet and fiction writer. The Osaka dialect, used in their works, such as in play scripts for puppet theater called Ningyo joruri, was commonly accepted as standard Japanese in those days. Academic interest was fostered by educational facilities, such as the Kaitokujyuku and Tekijyuku. The Kaitokujyuku, a school for merchants and craftsmen, used a system suitable for merchants, giving priority to their family occupations. The Tekijyuku, founded by Ogata Koan, provided education on medicine and Dutch Learning that include medical science, science, and biotechnology. Many people, including Fukuzawa Yukichi, came here from all over Japan to study Dutch Learning.
Osaka, once flourishing as the kitchen of
the nation, was severely affected by the Meiji Restoration in
1868, which shattered its economy. However, Osaka then adopted
capitalism, the key to modernization, before any other city in
Japan. After the establishment of the Osaka Boseki Company, the
first private-funded company, in 1882, Osaka became lively again.
While going through the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese Wars,
and World War I, Osaka was gradually transformed into an
industrial city based on war industry. During this period, Osaka
was called the "Manchester of the Orient."
Keeping pace with its modernization, Osaka commenced construction
of a port suited to international trade; the port was completed
in 1929. Cargo handling at the port marked the highest level in
Japan in 1939. Until World War II, Osaka thrived as a hub of
Asian trade, as well as of domestic distribution. Since Sogo-shosha
(general trading companies) located in Osaka extended their
business into the world market aggressively and successfully,
"Sogo-shosha" became a common term globally.
This emphasis on war industry made times
after World War II difficult for Osaka. Because Osaka was unable
to respond to their needs for international trade, Sogo-shosha
moved into Tokyo, leaving Osaka's economy sluggish. In addition
to reconstruction following the war, serial damages caused by
natural disasters such as typhoons, and land subsidence caused by
pumping up too much ground water, forced Osaka to undertake flood
prevention works. Thanks to those works, however, the diffusion
of sewerage in Osaka reached almost 100% (faster than in any
other part of Japan), which serves well as part of the
infrastructure. The sewerage project included construction of
drainage canals, each 6 meters in diameter, here and there under
Osaka, in order to prepare for potential floods. Even though at a
slow pace, the city of Osaka thus regained its vigor.
Although Osaka's economy has recently been inactive after
experiencing the oil shock and the bursting of the bubble economy,
Osaka is now striving to rise phoenix-like, by transforming its
industrial structure.
Osaka has always succeeded in overcoming difficulties with its farsightedness. Midosuji, one of Osaka's traffic arteries, was constructed along with a municipal subway line, the first in Japan, beneath it. Considering that it was built more than 70 years ago, it was really an amazing project. The City is now known for its well-organized subway systems. Osaka has also developed a housing complex project based on well-prepared city planning, including placement, sunshine, and color coordination.
Toward the 21st century, Osaka is changing
from business center into city where both visitors and citizens
can enjoy themselves and obtain fulfillment.
In Sakishima Cosmosquare are INTEX OSAKA, an international
exhibition center; ATC (Asia Pacific Trade Center), an
international distribution center; and WTC (World Trade Center),
a landmark of Osaka Port. Osaka Marin Museum, whose theme is
Osaka's exchange history related to the sea, will also open in
2000.
All of them are winning popularity among citizens as leisure facilities. In Tempozan Harbor Village, represented by its huge Ferris wheel, are Osaka Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world; Market Place, a shopping complex; and Suntory Museum, where visitors can also enjoy 3-D images at the IMAX Theater. This area is very popular among youth as a dating spot. Over the sea are Maishima Sports Island and Yumeshima. The spring of 2001 will see the opening of Universal Studios Japan, a theme park where visitors can enjoy attractions and shows based on movies made by Universal Studios. The waterfront area of Osaka is thus becoming more and more attractive to visit.
People are once again paying attention to the traditional performing arts and culture of Osaka. Osaka Castle has undergone large-scale repairs, and a new museum, tentatively named the Archaeological Source Center, which will introduce the history of Osaka from Naniwanomiya to the present, is under construction. Osaka City itself serves as a tourist area, providing people with various entertainments, from traditional culture to the latest facilities. Aiming to become a city where people gather from all over the world, Osaka is becoming more and more attractive.
Source- Breif History of Osaka http://www.tourism.city.osaka.jp/en/topics/08_9906/html/whats1.htm
