At the end of the Meiji Era, streetcars ran from Ueno through Shinjuku-Shibuya to Shinbashi, connecting office districts in Marunouchi and residential areas in Yamanote. Asphalt roads were built, taxis appeared and a network of roads in Tokyo was developed. The demand for telephones in the private sector increased further and the number of unfulfilled applications at the end of the 45th year of the Meiji Period was some 120,000. Buying and selling telephones became popular, and at one time the price of the telephone jumped over 400 yen. Incidentally, the starting salary at top-ranking companies at that time was between 25 and 45 yen.

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