Yokohama

City in Kanagawa prefecture, Japan, situated on the western shore of Tokyo Bay, 30 km/19 mi to the south of Tokyo; population (2005) 3,579,600. The second-largest city in Japan, behind Tokyo, Yokohama has developed since 1859 as a major seaport, Japan's largest, handling 21% of exports and 14% of imports. The city is the seat of the prefectural government, and also an important centre for heavy industry, forming part of the Keihin industrial region which centres on Tokyo. Industries include shipbuilding, oil-refining, flour-milling, brewing and the manufacture of petrochemicals and motor vehicles.

Together with Tokyo, Yokohama was devastated by the great earthquake of 1923, but was quickly rebuilt. In 1945 US air raids destroyed 80% of the built-up area of the city. Reconstruction was virtually complete by the early 1950s.