Osaka has enjoyed a long and illustrious history as the business and commercial center of western Japan. In 1583, Hideyoshi Toyotomi proclaimed himself Shogun of the realm, erected Osaka Castle, and established Osaka as the country's foremost trading city. Even in the Edo Period, when Tokyo was the center of political activity, Osaka solidified its position as the home of various enterprises and spawned a distinct culture based on common working-class people and values. Crisscrossed by picturesque rivers and canals, which were once the lifelines of the city's thriving industries, Osaka was known as the City of Water. Recently, there has been a surge in revitalization efforts, characterized by the opening of the Kansai International Airport in September of 1994, the promotion of international trading markets and the formation of an advanced information base, as well as other dynamic projects, the city is emerging more and more as the gateway to western Japan. Undergoing a tremendous transformation, Osaka is ready to throw open its doors as a revitalized metropolitan center for international trade and industry in the 21st century.