A potent symbol of Japan's postwar economic rebirth, Tokyo Tower could soon be formally recognized as a tangible cultural asset, having been nominated for the prestigious designation by a government advisory body Friday, along with 125 other structures.
The Council for Cultural Affairs filed the proposal with education minister Makiko Tanaka, and the government is expected to endorse the tower's nomination in the not-too-distant future.
If the council's list of buildings is accepted in full, the number of tangible cultural assets would grow to some 9,262 nationwide, according to government officials.
At 333 meters, Tokyo Tower became the world's tallest self-supporting tower when it was completed in 1958 for the purpose of TV and radio broadcasting, besting France's Eiffel Tower by 13 meters.
The distinctive red steel structure was designed by the late architect Tachu Naito (1886-1970), whose other major works include the Tsutenkaku Tower in the city of Osaka and the Nagoya TV Tower.