1.
opening of a port; opening a port to trade
The act of opening a port to foreign or domestic trade, or the historical event of a port being opened. Often refers to the opening of Japanese ports in the Bakumatsu period.
横浜は1859年に開港した。
Yokohama opened as a port in 1859.
開港以来、この町は貿易で栄えた。
Since the port opened, this town prospered through trade.
新しい空港が来年開港する予定だ。
A new airport is scheduled to open next year.
Can also apply to airports (opening an airport for service). In Japanese history, 開港 often refers to the forced opening of ports like 横浜, 神戸, 長崎, and 函館 after the arrival of Perry's fleet.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 開港記念日 (port opening anniversary)
- 開港都市 (port city / treaty port)
- 強制開港 (forced opening of a port)
The verb form 開港する means "to open a port" or "to begin operations" (for airports).