History of silk and in part replaced natural silk. Following the crisis in Europe, the modernization of sericulture in Japan made it the world's foremost silk producer. By the early 20th century, rapidly industrializing Japan was producing as much as 60 percent of the world's raw silk, most exports shipping through the port of Yokohama. Italy managed to rebound from the crisis, but France was unable. Urbanization in Europe saw many French and Italian agricultural workers leave silk growing for more lucrative factory work. Raw silk was imported from Japan to fill the void. Asian countries, formerly exporters of raw materials (cocoons and
Silk 106.9 the most important awards it gives are the "Local Hero awards" which have been awarded since the stations inception. The annual Cheshire Show is one of the highlights in the Silk calendar, of which the station offers extensive coverage. In 2008, having been short-listed for the award in the previous year, Silk won Radio Station of the Year (under 300,000) at the Sony Radio Awards. It is again short-listed for the 2009 award. In 2006, 2007 and 2008, Silk was named Radio Academy North West Station of the Year. All of Silk 106.9's programming is produced and broadcast from its