History of Yokohama

History of Yokohama

As far as the history of Yokohama goes, Japan followed the national seclusion strategy during the conclusion years of feudal Edo period, thereby maintaining least contact with the Western foreigners. It was during this time Yokohama gained the recognition of being a small fishing village. During the year 1853 to 1854, Commodore Matthew Perry brought along the American warships convoy within its southern territory and aimed at opening ports for commerce, under the acceptance of the ruling Tokugawa shogunate.

The town of Kanagawa-juku along the T?kaid? was soon agreed upon for being a major port hub that was basically known as a highway connecting Edo to Kyoto and Osaka. But later on the Tokugawa shogunate determined the area of Kanagawa-juku, which seemed to be quite near to the T?kaid?, and so established the port along the village of Yokohama in the year 1859. This was a significant event that was registered in the history of Yokohama.

The Port of Yokohama was a major hub that maintained foreign trade deals to a great extent. Meantime foreigners caught hold of Kannai, an important sector within the city that was engulfed by a moat. The area even witnessed a major downfall of the shogunate in the Namamugi Incident during the Tsurumi Ward in 1862, as stated in the history of Yokohama. It was in the period of Meiji Restoration of 1868, the area developed trade links with the Great Britain region mainly in the areas of silk. It was by this period the region witnessed an upsurge in its development and soon Yokohama emerged as an international city within the Japanese territory during April 1, 1889. During the 20th century the area improved in its industrial grounds and by September 1, 1956, Yokohama was nominated officially by government ordinance.

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