Postwar requisition and return of urban areas (Showa 20 (1945)-1961)

An urban area surrounded by fierce fire. The Yokohama Air Raid has caused severe damage of 3,650 dead and over 300,000 affected people.

In 1945, the Allied Forces stationed after World War II, requisitioned the center of Yokohama City and port facilities. The requisition escaped the war and ranging from slightly remaining urban houses, offices, theaters and department stores in urban areas to public facilities such as government offices, schools, and parks, and the city's urban functions were almost paralyzed. In addition to the center, facilities of the former military were requisitioned on a large scale.

The 8th Army of the United States started landing from Osanbashi.
Of the 400,000 occupation forces, about 100,000 were stationed in Yokohama.

As a result, the head offices of trading companies, financial institutions and corporations that supported the Yokohama economy before the war were forced to relocate to Tokyo and other regions. Along with the requisition of port facilities such as Osanbashi, Yokohama lost its economic base which should be the driving force for reconstruction.

Yokohama Customs had a temporary headquarters for the Allied Forces, and later the United States Army Command. (Around 1945)

The requisition facilities and areas at that time were constantly fluctuated due to the influence of occupation policies, but the Korean War that broke out in June 1950 increased demand for military facilities in Japan and further delayed the requisition.

Around Kannai, Kamaboko barracks were lined up one after another at the burnt site. (Around 1950)

In Yokohama, with the city planning based on the "Yokohama International Port Capital Construction Law" enacted in 1950, the momentum to develop a requisition movement to lift requisition movement. In August 1951, Kanagawa Prefecture and Yokohama Chamber of Commerce and Industry established the Yokohama City Reconstruction and Construction Conference, and started a full-scale movement for requisition was started.

The Negishi Racecourse district was used as a golf course and heliport for U.S. military personnel. (Showa 20s)

In September 1951, the Peace Treaty (Kowa Treaty) and the former Japan-US Security Treaty were concluded.In 1952, based on an administrative agreement between the United States and the United States, the requisition area in the city was renewed to the US military. Will be provided.

Requisition land (red part) at the time of the establishment of Yokohama City Reconstruction Construction Conference
(Aug. 1951) Status of requisition of Yokohama Port Area

On the other hand, with the entry into force of the Peace Treaty in 1952, Japan and the United States agreed on a relocation plan to consolidate and relocate facilities in theYamashita Park area.
Furthermore, in 1957, the withdrawal of the U.S. Army ground fighting unit in Japan was announced, and Tana Ammunition Storage (now Children's Country) was returned.