東京スカイツリー 世界一の塔が日本を元気に

The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 22, 2012)
World's tallest tower will invigorate Japan
東京スカイツリー　世界一の塔が日本を元気に（5月21日付・読売社説）

At long last, Tokyo Skytree will officially open on Tuesday.
　いよいよ、あす２２日、「東京スカイツリー」がオープンする。

Its height is 634 meters, nearly double that of Tokyo Tower. It is the world's tallest freestanding broadcasting tower. Views from the two observation decks, at 350 meters and 450 meters above the ground, must surely take every visitor's breath away. We would like to celebrate the opening of a structure that Japan can boast about to the world.
　高さ６３４メートル。東京タワーの２倍に近く、自立式電波塔では世界一となる。地上３５０メートルと４５０メートルの展望台から望む光景には、誰もが息をのむことだろう。世界に誇るべき建築物の開業を祝いたい。

While construction was still going on in March last year, the Great East Japan Earthquake rocked Tokyo Skytree, which had nearly attained its ultimate height. However, no workers were injured and there was no damage to the tower itself. Construction steadily continued, and the tree's height reached 634 meters a week later.
　ツリー工事中の昨年３月、最高点に達する直前に、東日本大震災の激しい揺れに見舞われた。だが、作業員にもツリーにも被害はなく、建設は着々と続けられ、１週間後に６３４メートルに到達した。

===

Symbol of overcoming ordeals

The incident demonstrated the reliability of Japan's earthquake-resistant construction technology. It also reinforced the image in many minds of Japan and the Japanese not yielding to difficulties.
　耐震建築技術の確かさを証明した出来事であると同時に、日本と日本人の、困難に屈しない姿を、そこに重ね見た人も多かったのではないか。

Just as many people remember Tokyo Tower as a symbol of the rapid economic growth period from the late 1950s to the early 1970s, so may Tokyo Skytree become a new symbol of the present period, when Japan and the Japanese are overcoming ordeals of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
　高度成長期の象徴として記憶された東京タワーのように、スカイツリーは、東日本大震災の試練を乗り越えていく、新たな時代の象徴となろう。

Tokyo Skytree embodies the best of Japan's construction technologies from the past to the present.
　過去から現在に至る、日本の建築技術の結晶でもある。

Materials made with cutting-edge technologies and fine techniques of craftsmanship, such as steel pipes that distort very little even if they are piled up sky-high, were chosen from all over the country in a strict selection process.
　天高く組み上げてもほとんどゆがみのない鋼管など、最新鋭の技術と職人技によって作られた建材が、全国から厳選された。

As the tower was constructed on a relatively small piece of land, its cross-sectional shape changes from an equilateral triangle at the base to a circle higher up. Here, shapes called "sori" and "mukuri," seen in temple and shrine construction and the design of Japanese swords, were utilized.
　限られた広さの敷地に建設するため、塔の横断面が足元の正三角形から、上に行くにつれて円形に変わる。そこに「反り」「むくり」といった、寺社建築や日本刀などの造形が生かされた。

The use of a "shimbashira" cylindrical central column to dampen earthquake vibrations is taken from the technique used in Japanese five-story pagodas.
　中心に「心柱」を通すという、地震の揺れを減じるための構造も五重塔の技法に学んでいる。

It has been reported that those who were involved in the construction of the Skytree engaged in the work with a zeal to surpass their engineering forebears who constructed Tokyo Tower. Their own efforts are now destined to become a similar target for engineers in the future.
　建設に携わった人たちは、東京タワーを作った先輩技術者を乗り越える意気込みで取り組んだという。その姿が今度は、未来の技術者の目標となるだろう。

Tokyo Skytree is scheduled to take over the role of transmitting TV and radio waves from Tokyo Tower as early as January next year.
　テレビ電波などを発信する役目は、来年初めにも東京タワーから引き継ぐ予定だ。

===

Big economic effect

Annual visitors to Tokyo Skytree and its related facilities are expected to number 32 million. The ward office of Sumida Ward, Tokyo, where the tree is located, estimates the economic ripple effect of the facilities will be 88 billion yen in the ward alone.
　ツリーと関連施設で年間３２００万人の集客を見込む。地元・墨田区は経済波及効果を区内だけで８８０億円と試算している。

Around the Skytree, new tourism spots have arisen one after another, including the Tokyo Gate Bridge. We think many foreign sightseers will be attracted by the synergy of the Skytree and the other facilities.
　周辺には東京ゲートブリッジなど、新たな観光スポットが相次いで誕生している。相乗効果によって、外国からの観光客を大勢呼び込めるのではないか。

However, although so many people are expected to visit Tokyo Skytree and its related facilities, infrastructure in the surrounding environment, such as sidewalks and train stations, has not been made fully ready for the opening.
　ただ、これほどの人が集まる新施設に対して、歩道や駅など周辺整備が十分に追いついているとは言えない。

The Tokyo metropolitan government, the Sumida Ward Office and Tokyo Skytree officials should make every effort to prevent accidents and turmoil from occurring.
東京都と墨田区、施設関係者は、事故や混乱が起きぬよう万全を尽くしてもらいたい。

People's faces naturally turn upward when they approach the Skytree. We hope it will become a new strong base to invigorate the entire nation.
　東京スカイツリーに近づく人たちの顔は、おのずと上を向く。日本全体を元気づける、新たな拠点になることを期待したい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 21, 2012)
（2012年5月21日01時52分 読売新聞）