Japan: National Diet Building
"Kokkai has a spellbinding geometric balance and majesty that resonates with traditional Japanese styles, capturing the unique history and development of Japanese democracy.
- Ryu Michikawa
Dwight School Seoul Student
National Diet Building
National Diet Building Tower Roof
Overview
Construction: 1920 – 1936
Location: 1-7-1 Nagatacho, Chiyoda, Tokyo 100-0014, Japan
Architect: Wattanabe Fuzuko
Architectural Style: Italian High Renaissance
Commissioned By: Finanace Ministry (Chaired by Prime Minister Katsura Tarō)
Reason: The Finance Minsitry started a commission in order to take control over the latest design of the National Diet Building from the Home Ministry. Furthermore, a permanent structure for the Japanese legislature was desperately needed.
Brief History: For a length of 46 years before the creation of the permanent building, the Diet, or the Japanese legislature, was forced to convene in temporary structures starting from 1890, the very first session. These temporary buildings also have their own chapter in history. Although the construction of the current Diet Building began in 1920, the start of the planning process dates back to the 1880s. Many ideas were considered from various architects on an international level, such as German architects Wilhelm Böckmann, Hermann Ende, Adolph Stegmueller and Oscar Tietze, American architect Raplh Adams Cram and Japanese architects Yoshii Shigenori, Watanabe Fukuzo and Takeuchi Shinshichi. It is crucial to realize that the National Diet Building of Japan does not simply stem from one genius mind, but a variety of them from divergent backgrounds, making the architecture such a prominent symbol to this day.
Constitution
The National Diet building in Tokyo, Japan, has run in a parallel direction with the development of the constitutions of the country. The very first, temporary version of the building was constructed in 1890 by German architect Adolph Stegmueller and Japanese architect Yoshii Shigenori. This building was a wooden, two-story structure in Hibiya. However, the plans regarding this construction project had already commenced by the late 1880s, hand in hand with the creation of the Constitution of the Empire of Japan. This constitution, also called the Meji Constitution, caused the establishment of this rudimentary legislature building. The Meji Constitution directed the creation of two houses: the House of Representatives and the House of Peers. Although the members of the House of Peers were still chosen based on their ties to the imperial family, past feudal lords and the emperor, the members of the House of Representatives were elected by the people: the citizens of Japan. Furthermore, the Meji Constitution pushed the nation towards a constitutional monarchy. Although the emperor did have considerable power, such powers were placed under limits in the newly created constitution. Such transitions of political concepts and ideas within the nation can be seen alongside the development of the Diet Building. It is evident that Japan took a small yet significant step towards democracy and its ideals, and the first form of the National Diet Building was a witness to this remarkable change.
Nonetheless, the end of World War II brought further expansion and growth within the nation of Japan, in regard to these democratic ideals. In 1945 at the end of the war, the Potsdam Declaration led to Japan having to create a new constitution; this constitution is still in place today. Formally titled the Constitution of Japan, it was enacted on May 3rd, 1947. The constitution paved the path to a parliamentary system for the government and offered various democratic ideals and rights to its citizens that were not available beforehand. Furthermore, in the Diet, there were now the House of Councillors, also called the Upper House, and the House of Representatives, also called the Lower House. The members of both the upper and lower houses are elected directly by Japanese citizens. Furthermore, with the newly created constitution, the emperor of Japan held no significant power; instead, the emperor is a symbol of power. The Constitution of Japan brought the country closer to democracy by leaps and bounds, shaking the very fundamental foundation upon which the nation was initially built. The current National Diet Building became an official site for the two houses, the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors, to convene.
The National Diet Building is a testament to the challenges, conflicts, turmoil and agitation that Japan has undergone throughout its history. However, it is also a testament to the glorious ways Japan was able to overcome such obstacles and resurface as an advanced democratic nation. Made almost entirely out of purely Japanese materials, with the exception of the stained glass, door locks and pneumatic tube systems, even the very materials the building was constructed from emanate symbolism and meaning. As an extremely well-known portion of the built environment of the nation, the National Diet Building contributes significantly to the spreading and deepening of the idea of democracy within the citizens. Along with the entirety of Japan, including its past, present and future, the National Diet Building stands strong to this day in the name of democracy.
