August 5th – Japan's History and Today

1912 - Japan's First Taxi Service On August 5, 1912, the first taxi service in Japan began operation in Yurakucho, Tokyo. This event marks a milestone in the evolution of Japanese transportation. Today, taxis are an integral part of city life in Japan. Foreign residents in Japan can easily find taxis at major train stations and airports. Most taxis come with English meters, and there are apps available with multilingual support.

1944 - The Cowra Breakout On August 5, 1944, 545 Japanese POWs staged a mass escape from a prisoner camp in Cowra, Australia. This event remains one of the largest POW escapes in history. It continues to be a significant topic of academic study and is an important example of the tragedies of war. When visiting Australia, one can learn about this historical event in Cowra and appreciate the importance of peace and reconciliation.