Kobe, city and major commercial port in Japan, the capital of Hyogo Prefecture, southwestern Honshu Island, on Osaka Bay, near the city of Osaka. Since the 1890s several adjoining cities, including Hyogo, have been absorbed by Kobe. Agricultural produce of the locality includes rice and other grains, fruits and vegetables, and tea. Shipbuilding and production of rubber goods are of primary importance to the city. Chemicals, machinery, railway cars, electrical equipment, textiles, refined sugar, flour, and sake are also produced here.
Behind the narrow coastal site of the city are the Rokko Mountains, on which there are hot springs and suburban residences and hotels have been built. Many Christian churches, Shinto and Buddhist temples and shrines, two famous statues of Buddha, a fine arts museum, and a municipal museum with a collection on Western cultural contact are in Kobe. Kobe University (1949) is located here. Originally founded in 1902 as Kobe Higher Commerce School, it became Kobe University of Economics in 1944, then incorporated four other colleges in 1949 under its present name. The city did not become important until the 1860s, when Japan was opened to foreign trade. Before that time, Hyogo, which is now part of Kobe, had for centuries been a major Japanese port. On January 17, 1995, a strong earthquake struck below Awaji Island across the bay from Kobe. The quake caused buildings and bridges to collapse and fires ignited throughout the city. In all, about 6,400 people died and more than 30,000 people were injured. More than 30,000 buildings were damaged by the quake and resulting fires. Despite the crisis, in April 1998 construction was completed on the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, which links Kobe to Awaji Island over the Akashi Strait. With a center span of 1990.8 m (6531.5 ft), it is the world's longest suspension bridge. Population (1999) 1,453,731.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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