This Is Nagoya
Oct. 6, 1945 NAGOYA NEWS-INVADER
Page 3
The Japanese who live in Nagoya are derived from a mixed stock of Monogoloid [sic] and Malayan origins which at about the time of Christ gradually spread over Honshu.
Owing to the relatively recent growth in the population and industrial development in Japan, the cities are of very recent expansion. The rural population lives in closely-built settlements and isolated farmhouses are seldom seen. Originally all cities, towns and villages had a cluster of flimsy single story wooden buildings with slate, shingle, or thatch roofs. These were usually built around large factories and other installations.
Except for the modernized downtown business and industrial districts of Nagoya, cities and towns have the traditional Japanese aspect, unpainted frame buildings, with slate covered tiled roofs of nearly uniform height, facing directly on narrow streets surfaced with stone. Open gutters carry drainage and refuse water from the houses on each side.
In many of the smaller towns there are no well-marked residential and community centers, most streets are lined with shops, operated by a family living in the rear or in the second story. The street pattern is commonly rectangular and in the center of each town often becomes irregular. Rivers and canals are common features.
Before the war, modern ferro-concrete buildings and factories, wide main streets of concrete were fast making their appearance but "Old Japan", was usually a few yards away. Recent developments took the form of fire breaks and strategic highways cut through many cities and towns, new airfields, large uniform barracks at military training centers all indicate the migration of population to the war industries.
All large cities in the Nagoya area, including Nagoya itself, are served by roads and railroads. Water transportation is generally available, either via coastal shipping at short river sections or canals. Bicycles and rickshas [sic] are a major means of transportation. Telegraph and telephone are available and most urban homes are lighted with electricity. Ample water is available but purification treatment is necessary.
Nagoya is a city of great importance. It is a key center. In addition to its port facilities, pre-war industries of cotton spinning, weaving, watchmaking, it has aircraft factories, machine shops and chemical works. Railroads were developed and an important flow of trade took place through this rich agricultural area between Tokyo and Osaka. Roads were usually one lane, all-weather with main military highways widened and straightened in most places to take two lane traffic.
The monetary system in Japan is based on the Yen. The present rate of exchange is 15 Yen for on American dollar. It you do your part in preventing inflation you should be able to purchase many fine articles at reasonable prices.
The climate of Nagoya and area is mild and the rainfall is moderate. The winter coldness is not harsh, while the summer heat is not oppressive. On a whole the weather is very similar to that of Virginia.
If we follow the rules and the suggestions given to us there is no reason why our stay in Nagoya should not be a pleasant and interesting experience. There will be a very broad program of athletics and recreation as well as a news and information program. You will be able to go to technical schools, University Centers and high schools. You will be able to utilize some of your time in Japan for your own personal benefit, preparing yourself for civilian life.
Help in planning to get the most out of the G.I. Bill of rights will be given to you. So remember, we will probably work very hard at first, getting set up but later it will not all be work.
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| Approaching Nagoya harbor on board the USS James O'Hara (APA-90) |
26 Oct. '45
Beloved,
By gar, we made it to Nagoya, anyway! Of course we aren't off the ship yet, but we are tied up to the good solid earth and concrete wharf! It was smooth sailing. This morning when I went on deck at 6:30 we could see land to the side of us. We came to anchor at 11 about 10 to 15 miles south of the inner harbor, and ships started up the channel at long intervals. We started in about 2 and tied up at 5. It is a large harbor but shallow with a narrow channel that turns and winds quite a bit. Near the port we came inside the breakwaters. Most of the ships went to regular docks further up the river or inlet. We tied up to land directly - concrete walls, etc. We came broadsides and the ship's boats - 8 of them, about 2500 H.P. [horsepower] represented - pushed us in. They pushed and pushed but we stuck! So the ship backed up, went forward repeatedly, the boats pushing all the time and after about an hour they got us up to the quay. You could see the mud they stirred up when the bottom was stuck. A ship's officer told me we were drawing 26 1/2 feet. Because it is so late and most areas for troops are 7 - 10 miles away, we are staying aboard tonight. They are unloading vehicles which will take till 2 or 3 A.M. They leave about 6, guided by our billeting officers - if they can be found - to the respective areas, unload and come back for troops. So we won't have to walk! There are huge factories, miles in extent, all around. Most appear to be burned out. They say that in most of the buildings where troops are to be stationed, there is no heat and not much in the line of facilities. Nagoya base has 4th, 5th and 6th floors in a building where the elevators had been taken out and used for scrap! I hope we are on the ground floor! Well, I'm going to go stretch my legs on shore. We are 28 months closer to being together than we were when we parted!
All my love, Eugene
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