Battleship Island : Hashima Island, also known as Gunkanjima

Hashima Island, also known as Gunkanjima (meaning "Battleship Island") due to its resemblance to a warship, is a small, abandoned island located about 15 kilometers off the coast of Nagasaki, Japan. Covering just 16 acres, the island holds significant historical, industrial, and cultural value.

The island is situated in the East China Sea, and is part of the Takashima coal field. It lies along the western coast of Kyushu, Japan's third-largest island.
Coordinates:

The geographical coordinates of Hashima Island are approximately:

• 32°37′29″N (latitude)

• 129°44′18″E (longitude)

History and Industry

Industrial History

• Coal Mining Hub:

Hashima was a significant center for undersea coal mining from 1887 to 1974, operated primarily by Mitsubishi Corporation. It played a crucial role in Japan's industrialization during the Meiji Era.

• Population Density:

At its peak in the 1950s, Hashima was one of the most densely populated places in the world, with over 5,000 people living in a tiny 16-acre space, packed into high-rise concrete apartment blocks.

2. Ghost Island

• Abandonment:

When coal mining was phased out in favor of petroleum, the island's mines were shut down in 1974, leading to its rapid abandonment. The entire population left almost overnight, leaving behind a hauntingly deserted industrial landscape.

• Urban Decay:

Over time, Hashima's buildings have crumbled and decayed, creating a ghostly, dystopian atmosphere that attracts photographers, urban explorers, and history enthusiasts.

3. UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 2015, Hashima Island was recognized as part of Japan's UNESCO World Heritage Site, specifically for its role in Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution. This designation helped bring more international attention to the island's historical and cultural significance.

4. Cultural and Media Popularity

Movies and Documentaries:

Hashima Island’s eerie, post-apocalyptic scenery has made it a popular location for films and media. It became famous worldwide when it was featured in the 2012 James Bond movie Skyfall, where it served as the villain's hideout.

Symbolism of Industrialization:

The island symbolizes both Japan’s rapid industrial growth and the darker side of forced labor, especially involving Korean and Chinese workers during World War II. This duality adds layers of meaning to its fame.

5. Architectural Significance

First Large-Scale Concrete Buildings:

• Hashima is also notable for having some of the first reinforced concrete buildings in Japan, built to withstand typhoons and harsh sea conditions.
• Hashima was primarily known for its undersea coal mining operations, which began in 1887 when Mitsubishi Corporation acquired the island to access its rich coal deposits. By the early 20th century, the island had become a hub of coal production, and its population rapidly grew to over 5,000 people, making it one of the most densely populated places on earth.
• During its peak in the 1950s, the island housed miners and their families in tightly packed apartment buildings. The island featured schools, hospitals, and shops, effectively creating a self-contained community.

World Heritage Status and Preservation

In 2015, Hashima Island was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding, and Coal Mining. This recognition aimed to preserve its historical significance, though the island is still off-limits to general public exploration for safety reasons, as many of the buildings are structurally unsound.

Cultural Influence

• Hashima Island has also garnered global attention due to its eerie, dystopian appearance, which has made it a popular filming location. Notably, it was featured in the 2012 James Bond movie Skyfall, where it served as the lair of the antagonist, Raoul Silva.
• Today, Hashima stands as a poignant reminder of Japan's rapid industrialization, the rise and fall of its coal mining industry, and the human costs associated with it, including the harsh labor conditions endured by Korean and Chinese workers during World War II.
• People no longer live on Hashima Island because it was abandoned in 1974 after the coal mines that sustained its population were closed. 

Here are the key reasons:

1. Decline of Coal Industry

• By the 1960s, petroleum became a more dominant energy source, leading to a decline in the demand for coal. As Japan transitioned away from coal, the mines on Hashima were no longer profitable. In 1974, Mitsubishi Corporation officially closed the mines, leading to the island's abandonment.

2. Sudden Population Exodus

• When the mines were closed, the workers and their families had no reason to stay on the island. The island's entire population left in a matter of months, leaving behind a ghost town.

3. Inhospitable Living Conditions

• Hashima was always a harsh place to live. Its small size and high population density meant that people lived in cramped, concrete apartment blocks. The island had no natural greenery, and the harsh conditions of the sea around it made life difficult.
• After the abandonment, the buildings were exposed to the elements and began to deteriorate, making it unsafe for habitation.

4. Safety Hazards

• Over the years, the structures have decayed significantly, with many buildings collapsing or becoming unstable due to lack of maintenance. The island's infrastructure is now dangerous, preventing anyone from living there permanently.

5. Cultural and Historical Preservation

• Although the island is uninhabitable, it has gained historical significance and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It serves as a symbol of Japan's rapid industrialization, so the focus is now on preserving it as a historical monument rather than redeveloping it for residential purposes.

1. Abandoned and Decaying Infrastructure

• Buildings in Ruins:

The island's concrete apartment buildings, constructed in the early 20th century, are crumbling and eroding due to decades of exposure to harsh weather, including typhoons, saltwater, and wind. Many buildings have collapsed, and those still standing are structurally unstable.

• No Maintenance:

Since the island was abandoned in 1974, there has been no upkeep of the infrastructure, leading to dangerous and unsafe conditions.

2. Harsh Weather and Environmental Exposure

• Typhoons and Strong Winds:

The island is frequently hit by powerful typhoons, which exacerbate the decay of the buildings. The sea around the island often experiences rough conditions, making access difficult and hazardous.

• Corrosion from Saltwater:

Being surrounded by the sea, the island is constantly exposed to saltwater, which has caused significant corrosion to the concrete and metal structures.

3. Restricted Access

• Limited Tourism:

While small parts of the island are open to guided tours, much of the island remains off-limits due to the dangerous, deteriorating buildings. Tourists are only allowed in designated areas that are deemed safe, and tours are often canceled due to bad weather.

• Unsafe for Exploration:

Exploring the island beyond the guided paths is prohibited because the structures could collapse at any time.

4. No Vegetation or Natural Resources

• Lack of Greenery:

The island has very little natural vegetation or wildlife. During its peak, it was almost entirely covered by concrete and artificial structures, with no natural water sources or greenery. Today, some small plants have started growing amidst the ruins, but it remains largely barren.

5. Atmosphere of Desolation

• Post-Apocalyptic Appearance:

The decaying buildings, shattered windows, and collapsing roofs give Hashima a haunting, dystopian appearance.

The stark contrast between the island's industrial past and its current desolation makes it look like a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie, which is part of its eerie appeal.

Despite its abandonment, Hashima continues to captivate the world with its hauntingly beautiful ruins and its history.

However, with the decline of coal in favor of petroleum in the 1960s, the island's coal industry faced obsolescence. By 1974, the mines were closed, and Hashima was abandoned almost overnight. It became a ghost town, with its concrete buildings gradually falling into disrepair due to exposure to the elements. These unique aspects of its history, architecture, and eerie atmosphere have turned Hashima Island into a symbol of Japan’s industrial past and a site of both historical reflection and modern fascination.