The year 1953 sees a major change in Tokyo telephone numbers. The aim is to adjust districts to achieve a balance in subscribers among the various exchanges, and to introduce a new type of links to exchanges. It is massive surgery on an unprecedented scale, and widespread confusion is expected in advance and the telephone office makes a wide range of efforts to announce the changes. Cars with speakers prowl the bustling streets with announcements, helicopters scatter leaflets from the sky, and posters appear on the metropolitan and national commuter train systems. A chime announcement service greets dialers with an attractive female voice.

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