About this collection
The Great Kantō earthquake struck Japan with a magnitude of 7.9 on 1 September 1923. The quake and ensuing firestorms devastated many cities and prefectures, resulting in an estimated 142,800 deaths. Sadly, this included tragic loss of life and injuries amongst HSBC’s staff and their families. The bank’s Yokohama branch was flattened, with only the treasury vault left standing amid the ruins. A temporary office was quickly opened to support customers and help in the rebuilding of the community. These images and recollections document the traumatic events and subsequent recovery.
