After a two-month delay caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, construction on the 634-meter Tokyo Sky Tree was completed on Feb. 29. Obayashi Corp., which was in charge of the project in Tokyo’s Sumida Ward plans to hand over the tower to Tobu Tower Sky Tree Co. later in the day.
Work on the tower started in July 2008. In March 2010, Tokyo Sky Tree became the tallest tower in Japan when its height exceeded the 333 meters of Tokyo Tower. In March 2011, Tokyo Sky Tree was recognized as the tallest tower in the world, topping the 600-meter Canton Tower in Guangzhou, China.
About a week after the magnitude-9.0 earthquake struck on March 11 last year, Tokyo Sky Tree reached 634 meters. But work slowed down because damage from the quake made it difficult to procure construction materials. In autumn, the tower cranes that symbolized construction were dismantled, and the outer appearance was mostly completed. Work on the interior design then started.
The work will now shift to installing guide signs and exhibits. The tower will be opened to the public on May 22. Tokyo Sky Tree will have two observatories: one at a height of 350 meters and the other at 450 meters.Pre-orders for admission tickets will be accepted starting on March 22.
Source : KAZUHISA KUROKAWA
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