World's tallest tower to boost Tokyo tourism

Construction of the Tokyo Sky Tree, the world's tallest self-supporting communications tower, has been completed.

Completed two months later than scheduled as a result of the earthquake that struck Japan last March, it is planned to be a major draw for visitors to Japan's capital, whose numbers have plummeted in the aftermath of the disaster and the nuclear crisis it sparked.

A spokeswoman for the operator told news agencies "the construction was originally scheduled to finish in December 2011 but was delayed due to a shortage of supplies after the disaster."

Construction of the 634-metre tower near the already popular Asakusa traditional district on Tokyo's eastern side, began in July 2008.

The Tokyo Sky Tree tops the 600-metre Canton Tower in China's Guangzhou and the 553-metre CN Tower in downtown Toronto.

The tallest building in the world remains Dubai's Burj Khalifa, standing at 828 metres.

Some 580,000 construction workers were engaged in the construction, which cost 65 billion yen (US$790 million).

The Tokyo Sky Tree is expected to overshadow landmarks in the capital's upscale western parts, including the 333-metre Tokyo Tower, which was built in 1958 and became a byword in Japan for the country's rapid post-war growth.

It hosts two observation decks, at 350 metres and 450 metres above ground.

The Tokyo Sky Tree will open to the public on 22nd May.

For more information go to www.tokyo-skytree.jp/english/

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