Osaka Underground Street Celebrates 70th Anniversary with Launch of 'Web Chronicle'

Osaka Underground Street Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City; President and CEO: Ryo Inoue) celebrates its 70th anniversary on June 13, 2026. To commemorate this milestone, the company launched a web chronicle titled 'The Intersection of 70 Years and Beyond' on June 15, 2026, to share its journey and vision for the future.

Born as part of traffic congestion solutions during Japan’s high economic growth era, the underground street’s evolution into a vital urban infrastructure for Osaka is presented through diverse content such as timelines, photographs, interviews, and employee roundtable discussions.

The 'Underground Legacy' section, featuring fun facts and trivia about the underground streets, will be updated monthly until November.

▼ Special Website: 'The Intersection of 70 Years and Beyond'

https://www.osaka-chikagai.jp/70th

70th Anniversary Special Site: 'The Intersection of 70 Years and Beyond'

The 70-Year Journey Began with 'Urban Infrastructure'

Founded in the 1950s, the company emerged in response to severe traffic congestion caused by rapid urban population concentration during postwar reconstruction. Its mission was to alleviate traffic through underground street development and promote regional growth through efficient land use.

Osaka city center during traffic paralysis (from '30-Year History of Osaka Underground Street')

Excavating large areas of ground and constructing structural frameworks was a groundbreaking project at the time. Construction proceeded with meticulous care and verification to ensure safety.

These records illustrate the 'origin of infrastructure'—how the underground street evolved into a fully functional urban system.

Construction site of 'Namba Chika Center' (now NAMBA Nan-nan) in front of Takashimaya (construction began in 1956); Namba Chika Center opened in 1957.

Opening of the Underground Street: The Birth of a New Urban Space

Eventually, the underground street was completed and opened to great public anticipation.

Celebratory decorations, ribbon-cutting ceremonies, and a large number of visitors marked the beginning.

This new urban space beneath the city launched with high expectations from the public.

Since then, the underground street has continuously expanded and evolved with changing times, becoming a crucial urban infrastructure supporting Osaka’s terminal functions.

About the Web Chronicle

This web chronicle presents the company’s journey up to 2026 from multiple perspectives, while also communicating the accumulated history and forward-looking vision.

【Main Content and Articles】*Non-timeline articles will be updated monthly until November

・Timeline

From company establishment to underground street openings and renovation histories

・Interviews

President, security operations personnel

・Surveys (voices from long-standing tenants and users)

'Long-standing businesses operating since the opening'

'Memories of the underground street'

・Trivia (art, characters, etc.)

'Did Osaka’s above-ground facilities appear in a legendary medical manga?'

'The underground street is a treasure trove of art!'

・Employee Roundtable Discussions

'Behind-the-scenes of the large-scale renovation project' by renovation project team members

'The future of the underground street' with the president and employees

President’s Message (excerpt)

Since its founding, our company has leveraged the unique characteristics of 'underground' spaces to provide safe and comfortable pedestrian environments.

While the roles we are expected to fulfill continue to evolve, we remain committed to being a connector—linking people to people, and city to city—and will continue to support urban safety, security, and vitality.

The Mission to 'Connect' to the Future

The 70-year history is not merely a record of the past, but a foundation built to connect to the future.

Osaka Underground Street Co., Ltd. will continue to fulfill its role as urban infrastructure while passing on the value of underground streets to the next generation.

【About Osaka Underground Street Co., Ltd.】

The company manages and operates six underground streets in Osaka City: 'Whity Umeda,' 'Do-chika,' 'Kyobashi Comz Garden,' 'Namba Walk,' 'NAMBA Nan-nan,' and 'Abechika.'

We create vibrant commercial underground spaces that energize Osaka, providing safety, security, and comfort.

Official website: https://www.osaka-chikagai.jp/company

【Inquiries regarding this announcement】

Administrative Section, Strategic Planning Department TEL: 06-6948-6200