Architects of Japan: Building the Future
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VOL. 114 november 2017 Architects of Japan: Building the Future 6 12 Modern Japanese Architecture: Design for Human Beings From the Meiji Restoration to Tezuka Associates’ novel design for a Today Tokyo kindergarten appeals to children An interview with architect and and adults alike. architectural historian Terunobu Fujimori 8 Kenzo Tange: The Legacy of an Architectural Legend The works and spirit of Japan’s preeminent modern architect Kenzo Tange continue to resonate in Japanese architecture today. 14 Creating Futures of the Future Features Architect Sou Fujimoto is making waves overseas with designs that anticipate the future. 10 A Small Model for Future Introducing the Home-for-All projects of architect Toyo Ito 4 22 24 PRIME MINISTER’S SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY MY WAY DIARY Clean Water for Everyone Moved by Minyo Also COPYRIGHT © 2017 CABINET OFFICE OF JAPAN WHERE TO FIND US The views expressed in this magazine by the interviewees Tokyo Narita Airport terminals 1 & 2 ● JR East Travel Service Center (Tokyo Narita Airport) ● JR Tokyo and contributors do not necessarily represent the views of Station Tourist Information Center ● Tokyo Tourist Information Center (Haneda Airport, Tokyo Metropolitan the Cabinet Office or the Government of Japan. 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Copyright inquiries Information ● Foreign Press Center/Japan ● Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan ● Delegation of the should be made through a form available at: European Union to Japan ● Tokyo University ● Waseda University ● Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University● Ritsumeikan University ● Kokushikan University ● University of Tsukuba ● Keio University ● Meiji University www.gov-online.go.jp/eng/mailform/inquiry.html ● Osaka University ● Kyushu University ● Kyoto University ● Tohoku University ● Nagoya University ● Sophia University ● Doshisha University ● Akita International University ● International University of Japan 2 | highlighting japan VOL. 114 november 2017 ISSUE 114, NOVEMBER 2017 Theme for NOVEMBER: ARCHITECTS OF JAPAN: BUILDING THE FUTURE 16 n this month’s Feature, The Danchi Renaissance we search for the defining In the Yokodai district of Yokohama City, characteristics of modern a project to renovate danchi housing Japanese architecture, taking a complexes is revitalizing the whole I close-up look at the work and community. philosophies of several leading Architects of Japan: architects and elucidating the Building the Future 20 directions in which they are The Japanese “Forest” in São Paolo The first JAPAN HOUSE is pulling in the leading contemporary building crowds in São Paolo, Brazil. design. 18 Diffusion and Succession of Architectural Culture A new museum has opened in Tokyo devoted to the archiving and exhibiting of architectural models. 26 28 30 SMEs OVERSEAS WASHOKU NATIONAL PARKS Generating Electricity Kiritampo: Hot Pot Perfection Towada Hachimantai: A Joy for from Rivers and Streams All Seasons PRODUCTION The Japan Journal ON THE COVER MANAGING EDITOR Hitoshi Chiba Architects of Japan: Building the Future EDITOR Alex Hendy, Mao Fujita Photos: ©Ito Toru, ©ARCHI-DEPOT, Courtesy of Urban Renaissance EDITORIAL SUPPORT Eriko Kiura Agency, Nacása & Partners Inc., Courtesy of JAPAN HOUSE São Paulo CONTRIBUTORS Rob Gilhooly, Tetsu Mizuno, Hiroshi Sakurai, Kentaro Sano, Rogério Cassimiro, Courtesy of Tezuka Architects Takashi Sasaki, Kumiko Sato, Akira Umezawa DESIGN Mei Imai, Hirofumi Okadome PHOTOS Tadashi Aizawa, Rob Gilhooly, Yuichi Itabashi, Masatoshi Sakamoto, Kumiko Sato, Satoshi Tanaka VIDEOGRAPHY Satoshi Tanaka november 2017 | 3 Prime Minister's Diary JAPAN-US WORKING LUNCH AND JAPAN-US SUMMIT MEETING n November 6, Shinzo discussions to cover the issue of Abe, Prime Minister of North Korea and other global chal- OJapan, held a working lenges. The Japan-US alliance is lunch and summit meeting with the foundation for peace and pros- the Honorable Donald J. Trump, perity in the Asia-Pacific region President of the United States and the world. Through the visit of America. The overview of the of the President to Japan this time, meetings is as follows. we would like to make the alliance firmer and an unwavering one. Japan-US Working Lunch In response, President Trump Prime Minister Abe and President Trump shake hands before the Japan-US Summit, 6 In opening remarks, the Prime said: November 2017 Minister said as follows: It has been an absolutely great I would like to express my heart- two days. Prime Minister Abe has held. felt condolences and sympathy for become my very close friend. To In opening remarks, Prime Min- your loss and also to those people be with Prime Minister and Mrs. ister Abe said that over the work- who lost their lives or were hurt in Abe was something very special. ing lunch, the two leaders held the shooting incident in Texas. To have the privilege of play- in-depth discussions on the issue I would once again like to ing golf with Prime Minister Abe of North Korea and other various wholeheartedly welcome the and [pro golfer] Mr. Hideki Mat- international challenges, and that visit of President Trump and the suyama was great. The time that he looked forward to continu- First Lady to Japan. Yesterday, we we spent together has been very ing discussions in this summit enjoyed playing golf and also had fruitful. From now we will be dis- meeting on the regional situation, a great time over dinner. Today cussing trade, North Korea, and economic issues, and bilateral I look forward to having candid others. It has been a very special relations. two days. On behalf of the United In response, President Trump States of America, I would like said that the working lunch had to thank the Prime Minister and been a very good meeting, in Japan. We expect for a relation- which productive discussions took ship that is even better than we place particularly pertaining to have ever had before. trade, North Korea and a couple The two leaders then engaged of other subjects. He mentioned in discussions on matters relat- his confidence in correction of the ing to bilateral security, including trade imbalance. He also noted North Korea, the regional situation that a great friendship had been and Okinawa. built with Japan. In the summit meeting, the two Japan-US Summit Meeting leaders continued to discuss the Following the working lunch, a regional and international situa- Representatives of the Japanese and US governments at the Japan-US Summit Japan-US summit meeting was tion and economic issues. Photographs and texts courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Cabinet Public Relations Office of the Government of Japan. 4 | highlighting japan Feature ARCHITECTS OF JAPAN: BUILDING THE FUTURE Architects of Japan: Building the Future In this month’s Feature, we examine the characteristics of modern Japanese architecture through interviews with and profiles of some leading figures in the field. Whether by incorporating tradtional architectural elements, highlighting the beauty of raw materials, or putting the needs and feelings of people first, Japanese architecture has unique qualities that delight and engage people around the world. november 2017 | 5 Feature ARCHITECTS OF JAPAN: BUILDING THE FUTURE Terunobu Fujimori Modern Japanese Architecture: From the Meiji Restoration to Today erunobu Fujimori, Professor Emeritus architects finally started to work on modern-style at the University of Tokyo, is an architec- architecture, which is still in existence today. Ttural historian and architect known for his inventive building designs including elevated tea Who is Japan’s most representative postwar houses [private structures used to hold tea cer- architect? emonies]. We asked Professor Fujimori about the It has to be Kenzo Tange [1913–2005]. The stud- characteristics of modern Japanese architecture. ies that spanned a long period of time finally bore fruit after the war with Tange, an outstanding How would you characterize the development of architect. He can be said to be one of the top archi- modern architecture in Japan? tects in the world in the latter half of the twenti- Modern architecture in Japan can be broadly eth century. He shocked everyone in 1955 with his divided into two periods. The first period is from design for the Hiroshima Peace Center [now the the Meiji Restoration [1868] to before the Second Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Park], World War; the second period is from after the followed by the Kagawa Prefectural Government Second World War to the present. Japan started to Office in 1958. These two buildings showcase a adopt Western-style architecture while advancing beautiful combination of columns and beams that modernization, chiefly from the English but also is unseen in Europe and which ensured the eleva- from the French, the Germans and the Ameri- tion of Japan’s modern architecture to the top cans. In the Taisho and Showa periods [1912–1926 level globally. Tange noticed that a combination and 1926–1989], Japanese architects started to of columns and beams would produce a frame- design a wide range of architecture using their work, and he discovered the resultant beauty. own style and flair, but the buildings were very He successfully replaced the wooden frame- similar to those in Europe. After the war, Japanese works traditionally