Heizo Takenaka Hates Heritage

The newly privatised Japan Post announced late last year that it was planning to tear down the Tokyo central post office in Otemachi, near the exit from Tokyo Station.

The 5 storey building was completed in 1931 and is reported to be in a pretty dilapidated state. As one of the last remaining notable buildings in central Tokyo still standing from this era, the Japan Institute of Architects has called for it's preservation.



Unfortunately, Heizo Takenaka, fomer Minister of Finance under Junichiro Koizumi and one of the strongest proponents of postal privatisation seems to be all ready with his own crowbar to start gleefully tearing the building to pieces. The most recent American Chamber of Commerce Japan Journal featured an interview with their 'Man of the Year' (aren't they about 5 years too late?) in which he stated

"... it’s important for Mr. Nishikawa to demonstrate some initial success, however modest, and I hope he is able to do so. If, for example, the Post Office in front of Tokyo Station is rebuilt and people like it, that would project progress — and doing so is a key test for privatization."

Although, Takenaka has a lot less influence than he did under Koizumi, I think this pretty much seals it. It's doomed!