Tokyo has unveiled the world's tallest broadcasting tower

Tokyo - The world's tallest broadcasting tower has been completed in the center of the Japanese metropolis of Tokyo. The structure named Tokyo Skytree, which reaches a height of 634 meters, was completed with a two-month delay caused by last year's earthquake, the tsunami, and the nuclear disaster. This was reported today by the Daily Telegraph.
     The tower, which has been under construction for four years in Tokyo's Asakusa district, is now the second tallest building in the world after the 828-meter tall Burj Khalifa skyscraper in Dubai.
     "The completion of the building was originally planned for December 2011, but was postponed due to supply shortages after the natural disaster," said a project spokesperson.
        The operators of the building, which will serve for radio and television broadcasting, expressed hope that the completion of the tower shortly before the first anniversary of the disaster on March 11 would support the heavily affected Japanese tourism industry.
        The construction, which cost 65 billion yen (14.9 billion crowns), involved more than 580,000 workers. The tower is characterized by a combination of futuristic design with traditional Japanese architectural aesthetics. Advanced technologies were used in its construction to ensure high resistance to earthquakes.
        The site is surrounded by a new commercial district with restaurants, shops, offices, and tree-lined squares. Two observation platforms for the public will open in May.
        Previously, Tokyo was served by the red and white, 333-meter tall Tokyo Tower from 1958 as the main broadcasting tower, which was long considered a symbol of the country's rapid post-war development. However, it currently does not provide full coverage of the digital television signal, as it is surrounded by numerous high-rise buildings.
        The name Tokyo Skytree was chosen by Japanese citizens in a nationwide vote, where they selected from six different names. The height of 634 meters was not chosen randomly, but rather so that it would be easily remembered by the Japanese. The numbers 6 (mu), 3 (sa), and 4 (shi) together form the word Musashi, which is an old designation for the area where Tokyo Skytree stands.
        The completion of the tower was accompanied by a series of promotional events. The cosmetic company Shiseido, for instance, is releasing a limited edition of 634 bottles of Tokyo Skytree perfume, corresponding to the height of the building. A character named Sorakara-chan has also been created to officially promote the tower.