Japan Post Holdings Co. said Friday it aims to begin as early as this month the delayed redevelopment of the Tokyo Central Post Office, after the government approved a new plan that preserves about 30 percent of the 78-year-old property.
Internal affairs minister Kunio Hatoyama has green-lighted the new plan, which doubles the area of the building to be preserved. The Agency for Cultural Affairs, meanwhile, aims to register the site as a tangible cultural asset after renovation has been completed, according to the postal firm.
Japan Post, which is wholly owned by the government, has been planning to redevelop the landmark post office located next to Tokyo Station into a modern 200-meter tower, while preserving some of the existing building.