Monday, May 3, 2010

Tokyo Tower

Thrusting elegantly up into the sky, this is Tokyo tower. With a total height of 333 meters,, it is still the tallest self-supporting steel structure in the world.
In Japan, the first sunrise of the year is considered hugely significant. The tower's observation platform is crowded with people on the morning of January the first. It also draws numerous sightseers throughout the year-and over the past half century it has welcomed some 150 million visitors.
After TV broadcasting began in 1953, people in Japan were captivated by this new medium. Tokyo Tower was built to deliver TV signals to the kanto Region. It was the world's tallest tower, and it lifted people's hopes skyward as a new Japan rose from the ashes of war.
Construction began in 1957,Including scaffolding workers,blacksmiths,painters and other skilled workers, a total workforce of 220,000 was assembled. Construction was completed in 1958. On April the tenth,1959, some 15 million people watched live coverage of the parade that followed the wedding of the Crown Prince to Princess MICHIKO. It was about three months after the tower went into operation.
In 1964, the summer Olympic games were held in Tokyo. During the Games, lights were placed up the sides of Tokyo Tower in celebration. In 1988, Tokyo Tower celebrated its 30th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the illuminations were upgraded. Instead of the lights just marking the outline of the tower, the entire structure was bathed with floodlights. This display had a Major impact, changing the look of Tokyo's night-time cityscape.
Now half a century has passed, and Tokyo tower will soon be passing on the torch. A new TV transmission tower is being built in Tokyo.
Nevertheless, Tokyo Tower remains the focus of a belief that is popular among young people. It is called the lights-out legend. It is believed that if a couple watches the lights of Tokyo Tower being switched off, they will always be happy together. Tokyo tower inspired previous generations with hope for the future. Tokyo, too, it continues to have a special mering for so many people in Japan.

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