Opening of Tokyo's First Subway Line

On July 24, 1927, Tokyo's Ginza Line became Asia's first subway system, running 2.2 km with electric multiple units. Built to relieve street congestion in the growing capital, it featured stations designed with earthquake resistance after the 1923 Great Kanto quake. Engineer Noritsugu Hayakawa oversaw the project, importing technology from the United States and Europe. The line used 600-volt DC power and carried thousands daily, setting the stage for Japan's extensive urban rail network. Its impact includes shaping modern Tokyo's transit-oriented development and inspiring high-capacity systems worldwide. Railfans note the preserved early cars and the line's role in post-war reconstruction.